96/01500 Overview of coal combustion byproduct (CCB) production and use in the USA

Abstract

The American Coal Ash Association, Inc. (ACAA) is an organization of producers and marketers of coal combustion byproducts (CCBs). Since 1968, the goal of ACAA has been to gain recognition and acceptance of CCBs as an engineering material on par with competing virgin, processed and manufactured materials by advancing CCB uses that are technically sound, commercially competitive and environmentally safe. The use of CCBs is affected by local and regional factors including production rates, processing and handling costs, transportation costs, availability of competing materials, seasonal adjustments, and the experience of materials specifiers, design engineers, purchasing agents, contractors, legislators, regulators, and other professionals. An annual survey of coal-burning electric utilities is conducted by ACAA to determine the quantities of CCBs produced and used in the USA. In 1993 approximately 88.5 million tons of CCBs were produced in the form of fly ash, bottom ash, boiler slag and byproduct from flue gas desulfurization (FGD). Approximately twenty-two percent of the combined production of these byproducts was used, while the remaining portion was deposited in disposal areas. The major markets for CCBs include cement and concrete products, structural fills, road-base layers, mineral filler in asphalt, grit for snow and ice control, blasting grit andmore » roofing granules, grouting, coal mining applications, and waste solidification and stabilization.« less