Brick production and characterization containing coal mining waste

The requirement for raw materials and energy, along with the development of technology, proceeds to increase with each passing day. Most of the energy and raw material requirements are obtained from mines. As in all industrial activities, wastes are generated as a result of the operation of mines. The amount of waste reaching millions of tons poses a great threat to environmental pollution and human health. The disposal of coal mining wastes, which is one of the mining wastes, also poses serious problems. The purpose of this study was to investigate on the use of coal mining waste as a brick building material. The study has involved the addition of coal mining wastes obtained from different stages of coal production processes, which are pulverized by dry grinding, into the brick clay in varying proportions (0-100%), shaping by the pressing method and firing of the brick samples at 950, 1050, and 1150 °C temperatures. It has also involved thermal analysis (TGA) and XRD analysis of brick clay and coal mining wastes, the examination of the physical, mechanical, mineralogical, and microstructural properties of fired brick samples. The waste containing brick properties were compared with the waste-free standard brick properties. At all three firing temperatures, the bulk density, apparent porosity, and water absorption values were similar to the standard sample with the addition of Shist A. With the addition of Schist B, the apparent porosity and water absorption values increased, the bulk density values decreased. All brick samples had the required compressive strength according to Turkish standards (at least 7 MPa). Coal mining wastes have been found to be a viable alternative raw material option for brick construction.