Abstract

Studies have proven that the use of waste in the production of clay ceramics is common for achieving the technical performance that is necessary for the application of these by-products. However, it is essential to analyze the feasibility of using these materials in terms of productivity and economic gains, in line with sustainability. The objective of this study is to determine the cost-benefit ratio of using rice husk ash in the production of clay ceramics. The methodological process consisted of a comparative analysis on an industrial scale between the formulation with up to 15% by volume of rice husk ash and the standard formulation previously used by the company. The economic aspects included the costs/consumption of raw materials, transport, and energy. The productivity throughout the process and technical characteristics of the final product were also evaluated. The costs of raw materials showed a financial gain of 7.0%, whereas the productivity analysis revealed that the greatest economic gain was in energy consumption during drying (13%).

Keywords:
rice husk ash; clay ceramic; productivity; industrial costs