Showing papers on "Fly ash published in 2006"

Chemical properties of solid biofuels¿significance and impact

Abstract: The chemical composition of solid biofuels (as defined in [Directive 2000/76/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the Incineration of Waste. In: European Commission, editor. Official Journal of the European Communities, vol. L 332; 2000. p. 91–111] and [CEN/TC 335—WG2 N94. Final draft. European Committee for standardization, editor. Solid biofuels—fuel specifications and classes. Brussels, Belgium; 2003.] has manifold effects on their thermal utilisation. C, H and O are the main components of solid biofuels and are of special relevance for the gross calorific value, H in addition also for the net calorific value. The fuel N content is responsible for NOx formation. NOx emissions belong to the main environmental impact factors of solid biofuel combustion. Cl and S are responsible for deposit formation and corrosion and are therefore relevant for a high plant availability. Furthermore, Cl causes HCl as well as PCDD/F and S SOx emissions and both elements are involved in the formation of aerosols (submicron particle emissions). The ash content influences the choice of the appropriate combustion technology and influences deposit formation, fly ash emissions and the logistics concerning ash storage and ash utilisation/disposal. Major ash forming elements (Al, Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Na, P, Si, Ti) are of relevance for the ash melting behaviour, deposit formation and corrosion. In addition, volatile elements such as Na and K are main constituents of aerosols. Volatile minor elements (As, Cd, Hg, Pb, Zn) play a major role in gaseous and especially aerosol emissions as well as in deposit formation, corrosion and ash utilisation/disposal. Either partly or non-volatile minor elements (Ba, Co, Cr, Cu, Mo, Mn, V) are of special relevance for ash utilisation. The present paper discusses the influence of chemical fuel properties on biomass combustion plants as well as possibilities and recommendations for controlling them.

Glass-ceramics: Their production from wastes—A Review

Abstract: Glass-ceramics are polycrystalline materials of fine microstructure that are produced by the controlled crystallisation (devitrification) of a glass. Numerous silicate based wastes, such as coal combustion ash, slag from steel production, fly ash and filter dusts from waste incinerators, mud from metal hydrometallurgy, different types of sludge as well as glass cullet or mixtures of them have been considered for the production of glass-ceramics. Developments of glass-ceramics from waste using different processing methods are described comprehensively in this review, covering R&D work carried out worldwide in the last 40 years. Properties and applications of the different glass-ceramics produced are discussed. The review reveals that considerable knowledge and expertise has been accumulated on the process of transformation of silicate waste into useful glass-ceramic products. These glass-ceramics are attractive as building materials for usage as construction and architectural components or for other specialised technical applications requiring a combination of suitable thermo-mechanical properties. Previous attempts to commercialise glass-ceramics from waste and to scale-up production for industrial exploitation are also discussed.

Low-Calcium fly ash-based geopolymer concrete: Long-term properties

Abstract: From 2001, we have conducted some important research on the development, manufacture, behaviour, and applications of Low-Calcium Fly Ash-Based Geopolymer Concrete. This concrete uses no Portland cement; instead, we use the low-calcium fly ash from a local coal burning power station as a source material to make the binder necessary to manufacture concrete.

Engineering Properties of Alkali-Activated Fly Ash Concrete

Abstract: In this paper, results are reported from experimental research carried out on certain engineering properties of a new (portland cement-free) concrete made with alkali-activated fly ash Lab tests were conducted to determine its bending and compression mechanical strength, modulus of elasticity, bond strength, and shrinkage The results show that mortar and concrete made with portland cement-free activated fly ash develop a high mechanical strength in short periods of time, have a moderate modulus of elasticity, bond better to reinforcing steel, and shrink much less than ordinary portland cement concrete

Wood ash use in forestry – a review of the environmental impacts

Abstract: The use of wood fuel for energy production in the UK is set to increase in the near future as part of a government commitment to increase renewable sources to 10 per cent by 2010. The ash generated as a by-product of combustion, whether for heat or power generation, has potential use as a fertilizer in forest systems. This review assesses the available information on factors affecting the quality of the ash and environmental implications arising from its application. The key determinants of wood ash chemistry are the tree species combusted, the nature of the burn process and the conditions at the application site. Wood ash from hardwood species produces higher levels of macronutrients in their ash than conifers, and the silica content is frequently lower. A furnace temperature between 500 and 900°C is critical to the retention of nutrients, particularly potassium, and determines the concentrations of potentially toxic metals including aluminium in the ash. Fly ash, the lightest component that accumulates in the fl ue system, can contain high concentrations of cadmium, copper, chromium, lead and arsenic and this ash should not be used as fertilizer. The form of the ash at application is important, with loose ash releasing Ca, K and Na more rapidly than granulated ash. Heavy metal, radionuclide and dioxin contamination of wood ash-based fertilizers is minimal and unlikely to affect ecosystem function. The effects of wood ash are primarily governed by application rate and soil type. The benefi ts are maximized at low dose rates, with possible toxicity from applications in excess of 10 t ha −1 . For most forest sites, a single wood ash application per rotation could replace all the nutrients lost after whole-tree harvesting (excepting N). Long-lasting positive effects on tree growth have been observed on shallow peats, in which the humus is slowly mineralized in response to elevated pH and increased nutrient availability. In contrast, wood ash application to podzols is only effective in enhancing tree growth when nitrogen availability is nonlimiting. To date, published research of wood ash effects on trees growing in clays and loams is minimal. A lag time for positive tree responses to wood ash application is often observed, and may be the result of phosphorous limitation at higher soil pH. The greatest reported adverse ecological effects are to acidophilic ecosystems, particularly the constituent bryophyte, soil bacteria and ectomycorrhizal communities.

Influence of filler type on the properties of foam concrete

Abstract: Most of the investigations on foam concrete in the past have been confined to neat cement paste, cement paste with partial replacement with admixtures and to cement–sand mixes. This paper reports the results of a systematic study to ascertain the influence of filler type (i.e., sand and fly ash) and the particle size of sand on the properties of moist cured foam concrete. This study shows that the consistency of mixture, for achieving pre-formed foam concrete of design density, mainly depends on the filler type. The flow behaviour of foam concrete is mainly influenced by the foam volume. A reduction in particle size of sand caused an improvement in strength of foam concrete. For a given density, replacement of sand with fly ash resulted in higher strength. Finer filler resulted in a higher ratio of strength to density.

Effect of Curing Temperature and Silicate Concentration on Fly-Ash-Based Geopolymerization

Abstract: The development of the pore structure of geopolymers synthesized from class F fly ash was studied using electron microscopy and porosimetry. Fly-ash-based geopolymer can be classified as a mesoporous aluminosilicate material, with a Si/Al composition varying from 1.51 to 2.24. The Si/Al composition and pore structure of fly-ash-based geopolymer vary depending on the curing temperature and the silicate ratio of the activating solutions (SiO2/M2O, M = Na or K). A higher Si/Al ratio and finer pores are obtained in geopolymers synthesized at higher temperature and silicate ratios. Elevating the curing temperature increases the extent and rate of reaction, shown through an increase in mesopore volume, surface area, and an accelerated setting time. The kinetics appears to be temperature-controlled only before the material is hardened. Very high silicate ratios (SiO2/M2O ≥ 2.0) are also believed to slow the reactions. The pore structure of K-based geopolymer is more susceptible to change in temperature than that...

Innovative methodologies for the utilisation of wastes from metallurgical and allied industries

Abstract: This paper is an overview on the utilisation of solid wastes with focus on blast furnace slag, red mud and fly ash generated in large quantities from iron and steel industry; primary aluminium production and coal fired power plants, respectively. Innovative methodologies, based on the recent research by the authors, are highlighted and these include: (a) smelting reduction of red mud to produce pig iron and titania rich slag, (b) mechanical activation of the slag and fly ash to prepare improved blended cements in terms of higher usage of waste and enhanced cement properties, (c) synergistic usage of fly ash, blast furnace slag and iron ore tailings in the preparation of floor and wall tiles and (d) preparation of synthetic granite from fly ash as a value added product.

The effect of chemical admixtures and mineral additives on the properties of self-compacting mortars

Abstract: Mortar serves as the basis for the workability properties of self-compacting concrete (SCC) and these properties could be assessed by self-compacting mortars (SCM). In fact, assessing the properties of SCM is an integral part of SCC design. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of various mineral additives and chemical admixtures in producing SCMs. For this purpose, four mineral additives (fly ash, brick powder, limestone powder, and kaolinite), three superplasticizers (SP), and two viscosity modifying admixtures (VMA) were used. Within the scope of the experimental program, 43 mixtures of SCM were prepared keeping the amount of mixing water and total powder content (portland cement and mineral additives) constant. Workability of the fresh mortar was determined using mini V-funnel and mini slump flow tests. The setting time of the mortars, were also determined. The hardened properties that were determined included ultrasonic pulse velocity and strength determined at 28 and 56 days. It was concluded that among the mineral additives used, fly ash and limestone powder significantly increased the workability of SCMs. On the other hand, especially fly ash significantly increased the setting time of the mortars, which can, however, be eliminated through the use of ternary mixtures, such as mixing fly ash with limestone powder. The two polycarboxyl based SPs yield approximately the same workability and the melamine formaldehyde based SP was not as effective as the other two.

Compressive characteristics of A356/fly ash cenosphere composites synthesized by pressure infiltration technique

Abstract: Loose beds of hollow fly ash particles (cenospheres) were pressure infiltrated with A356 alloy melt to fabricate metal-matrix syntactic foam, using applied pressure up to 275 kPa. The volume fractions of cenospheres in the composites were in the range of 20–65%. The processing variables included melt temperature, gas pressure and particles size of fly ash. The effect of these processing variables on the microstructure and compressive properties of the synthesized composites is characterized. Compressive tests performed on these metal-matrix composites containing different volume fractions of hollow fly ash particles showed that their yield stress, Young's modulus, and plateau stress increase with an increase in the density. Variations in the compressive properties of the composites in the present study were compared with other foam materials.

Stabilizing Soft Fine-Grained Soils with Fly Ash

Abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of self-cementing fly ashes derived from combustion of sub- bituminous coal at electric power plants for stabilization of soft fine-grained soils. California bearing ratio CBR and resilient modulus Mr tests were conducted on mixtures prepared with seven soft fine-grained soils six inorganic soils and one organic soil and four fly ashes. The soils were selected to represent a relatively broad range of plasticity, with plasticity indices ranging between 15 and 38. Two of the fly ashes are high quality Class C ashes per ASTM C 618 that are normally used in Portland cement concrete. The other ashes are off-specification ashes, meaning they do not meet the Class C or Class F criteria in ASTM C 618. Tests were conducted on soils and soil-fly ash mixtures prepared at optimum water content a standardized condition, 7% wet of optimum water content representative of the typical in situ condition in Wisconsin, and 9-18% wet of optimum water content representative of a very wet in situ condition. Addition of fly ash resulted in appreciable increases in the CBR and Mr of the inorganic soils. For water contents 7% wet of optimum, CBRs of the soils alone ranged between 1 and 5. Addition of 10% fly ash resulted in CBRs ranging between 8 and 17 and 18% fly ash resulted in CBRs between 15 and 31. Similarly, Mr of the soil alone ranged between 3 and 15 MPa at 7% wet of optimum, whereas addition of 10% fly ash resulted in Mr between 12 and 60 MPa and 18% fly ash resulted in Mr between 51 and 106 MPa. In contrast, except for one fly ash, addition of fly ash generally had little effect on CBR or Mr of the organic soil.