Sustainable Utilization of 100% of Ash from Coal based Thermal Power Plants
ABSTARCT : background: thermal power plants, that burn coal, produce a substantial amount of ash, including fly ash and bottom ash, as byproducts. the disposal of this ash presents significant environmental challenges, such as land degradation, groundwater contamination, and air pollution.
traditional disposal methods like landfilling or ash dykes are not only unsustainable but also lead to challenges in ecological restoration. despite the potential for beneficial use in various industries, a large portion of ash remains underutilized.
description: current methods for managing and disposing of ash from power plants are inadequate and environmentally detrimental. the accumulation of ash in landfills poses serious environmental risks, including soil and water pollution.
additionally, these disposal methods fail to leverage the potential value of ash in other applications. there is a critical need to develop sustainable and economically viable solutions for repurposing this ash, transforming it from a waste product into a valuable resource. expected solutions: to address the problem of ash disposal and utilization, the following solutions can be explored: construction materials:
expected solutions: to address the problem of ash disposal and utilization, the following solutions can be explored: construction materials:
develop new type of material in which incorporating fly ash to enhance material properties and reduce the environmental footprint of construction activities. soil amendment and agriculture: investigate the use of ash as a soil conditioner to improve soil quality and support sustainable agricultural practices.
manufacturing processes: utilize ash in the production of ceramics, glass, and other industrial products, capitalizing on its chemical properties. environmental remediation: explore the use of ash in environmental cleanup projects, such as neutralizing acidic soils or treating wastewater.
challenges to address: technical feasibility: develop processes that effectively utilize ash without compromising the quality and safety of the end products. economic viability: ensure that the proposed solutions are cost-effective and competitive with traditional materials and methods. regulatory compliance: navigate the regulatory landscape to ensure that the use of ash
predicted to develop by 8%–10% per year. to meet the increasing demand for energy by the increasing population, india mainly relies on coal-based tpps. these tpps utilize pulverized coal and generate fly ash as a byproduct during the generation of electricity. even in 2022, almost 50% of cfa is left unused and disposed of in the fly ash dumping sites leading to various types of pollution and environmental threats.
hence, there is a requirement for an effective fly ash management approach. there is a requirement for an updated study, suggesting the effective cfa utilization in some emerging areas like composite development, metallurgy, defense, and wastewater, etc. after searching coal fly ash on science direct, we have found 10,709 articles from the year 2018 to 2022 (july) out of which 1749 (in 2018), 2019 (1826), and 2020 (2125), 2022 (2341).
hence, after analysis, it was found that every year, the number of articles increases rapidly on this material. by the half year 2022 alone, there are about 2341 articles, and there is the possibility that by the end of 2022, it will be at the highest figure. out of the total value, 7904 were research articles while others were book chapters or review articles.
environmental concerns:
heavy metals: coal ash can contain heavy metals like arsenic, lead, and mercury, which can leach into soil and water, posing risks to human health and ecosystems.
air pollution: the process of handling and transporting ash can generate dust, contributing to air quality issues.
technical challenges:
quality variability: the chemical composition of coal ash can vary widely, affecting its suitability for different applications.
processing requirements: some utilization methods may require significant processing, which can increase costs and environmental impacts.
economic viability:
market demand: there may be limited markets for certain ash applications, affecting the economic feasibility of sustainable utilization.
investment costs: initial investments in technology and infrastructure for processing and using ash can be high.
regulatory issues:
compliance: adhering to environmental regulations can be complex and may limit certain utilization options.
public perception: community opposition to ash disposal or utilization projects can pose challenges.
the current review work emphasizes the demand and supply of energy in india and around the globe. it also focuses on total power generation by the world and india and their sources.
moreover, it focuses on the major sources of fuel as energy in india and the whole globe. the availability of coal reserves in various developed and developing countries including india.
the report also highlights the state of thermal power plants (tpps) using coal as a fuel currently, as well as the scenario with tpps using coal in india. a year-by-year pattern in the generation and use of coal fly ash (cfa) in india is also the subject of this study. finally, this study also emphasizes the current and future possible applications of cfa.
resource recovery:
ash can be repurposed as a raw material in various industries, such as cement and concrete production, reducing the need for virgin materials.
environmental benefits:
utilizing ash helps mitigate waste disposal issues and reduces landfill use, which can minimize land degradation and groundwater contamination.
cost savings:
by using ash in construction materials, industries can save on raw material costs and disposal fees, improving economic efficiency.
carbon footprint reduction:
the incorporation of ash in cement and concrete can reduce carbon emissions associated with cement production, contributing to climate change mitigation.
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