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Abstract: This paper presents results of an investigation into the potential use of recycling paper mill waste-water to replace mixing water in cement mortar systems for manufacturing concrete masonry products. The physical and mechanical properties of mortar containing various amounts of de-inking waste-water were consequently investigated. A key finding of this study was that replacing mortar mixing water with waste-water significantly improved workability and consistency of cement mortar mixtures. In particular the flow of mortar mixtures increased with increase of waste-water content up to 50% and then levelled off when waste-water content exceeded 50%. Correspondingly, the flow of mortar mix with 100% waste-water replacement at water/cement ratio of 0.50 was found to be equivalent to that of the reference mortar mix with 100% potable water at water/cement ratio of 0.60, indicating potential use of de-inking waste-water as water reducing admixture. The enhanced workability arising from waste-water addition however induced changes in mechanical properties of the hardened material. Compared to reference mortar, replacing 10% and 100% potable water respectively resulted in 19% and 60% reduction of compressive strength, with a corresponding 5% and 16% drop in bulk density, and up to 19% increase in drying shrinkage. Also, water absorption and volume of permeable voids increased with increasing waste-water dosage, albeit marginally. The benefits derived from rheology improvements compared to compromises in mechanical properties due to de-inking waste-water addition strongly indicate clear potential of using de-inking waste-water in production of lightweight cementitious building and masonry elements. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper presents results of an investigation into the use of de-inking sludge from a paper recycling mill as feedstock material in the manufacture of cement mortar products, including masonry blocks and mortar renders. Both physical and mechanical properties of mortar specimens containing various amounts of de-inking sludge were investigated. It was observed that the addition of de-inking sludge to cement mortar at a fixed water-to-cement ratio significantly reduced flow properties and increased setting time. Water absorption and volume of permeable voids of cement mortar increased with increased dosage of de-inking sludge, with a corresponding reduction of bulk density. The 91-day compressive strength of mortar samples with 2.5 wt% and 20 wt% de-inking sludge loadings retained 83% and 62% respectively of the reference mortar strength. The corresponding drying shrinkage increased by up to 160% compared to reference samples. However, a de-inking sludge loading of up to 2.5 wt% did not significantly alter measured physical and mechanical properties. The results demonstrate that despite the high moisture absorbance of de-inking sludge due to its organic matter and residual cellulose fibre content, it serves as a potential supplementary additive and its cellulosic content proving to be an active set retardant to cementitious masonry products. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]