THE USE OF DRILLING CUTTINGS WASTE IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CLAY BRICKS

Oil cuttings represent the waste left after excavation of oil wells. Several samples of such cuttings were collected and analyzed for their oil content. This was found to range from 7 to 12%. Drilling cuts containing from 7 to 16% oil were used in the present investigation. X ray diffraction showed this sample to consist of limestone and anhydrite. Thermal analysis (DSC) disclosed the range of temperature over which oil is oxidized. Various percentages of the chosen sample were then added to a mixture of two types of clay and hand molded as cuboids for possible production of clay bricks. A proper firing schedule was applied so as not to cause bursting of samples in the oil oxidation zone. The effect of both firing temperature and percent oil cutting on the porosity, water absorption, bulk density and compressive strength was investigated. It was found that the firing temp-erature could be lowered by 200°C and yet obtain a suitable product by using 7% addition of cuttings containing 10% oil.