Abstract
The increase in the number of coal-fired power plants with the increase in coal production and its consumption has caused the problem of the treatment of a large amount of coal ash in Indonesia. In the past studies, coal ash was applied to postmine land with the aim of improving soil conditions for plant growth; however, heavy rain in the tropical climate may cause soil erosion with the change in soil conditions. This study presents the effects of application of coal ash to postmine land on soil erosion by performing the artificial rainfall test as well as physical testing. The results indicate that the risk of soil erosion can be reduced significantly by applying the coal ash which consists of more than 85% of sand to topsoil in the postmine land at the mixing ratio of over 30%. Additionally, they reveal that not only fine fractions but also microporous structures in coal ash enhance water retention capacity by retaining water in the structure, leading to the prevention of soil erosion. Thus, the risk of soil erosion can be reduced by applying coal ash to topsoil in consideration of soil composition and microporous structure of coal ash.
Highlights
Indonesia is one of the largest coal exporters in the world, and the amount of coal production and the export has grown at an annual average rate of more than 10% since 2000 [1]
The increase in domestic demand for coal with economic growth has promoted the energy policy such as the conversion to coal-fired power generation and the construction of new coal-fired plant in Indonesia [2]. This change created the problem of the disposal of a large amount of coal ash [3]. Coal ash such as fly ash and bottom ash are, generally, disposed of to landfill as industrial waste, the efficient use of them is required due to landfill shortage. 80% of coal ash has ever been reutilized as cement raw materials in Indonesia; alternative proposal for effective use of them is needed in consideration of the increase in the amount of coal ash in the future
The simulated topsoil mixed with coal ash was prepared to discuss the application of coal ash to postmine land for the purpose of prevention of soil erosion
Summary
Indonesia is one of the largest coal exporters in the world, and the amount of coal production and the export has grown at an annual average rate of more than 10% since 2000 [1]. The increase in domestic demand for coal with economic growth has promoted the energy policy such as the conversion to coal-fired power generation and the construction of new coal-fired plant in Indonesia [2]. This change created the problem of the disposal of a large amount of coal ash [3]. Evaluation of soil erosion in postmine land to which coal ash is applied is important to verify the applicability of coal ash to postmine land as well as the effects on plant growth. Soil erosion in postmine land to which coal ash was applied in Indonesia was evaluated in a few studies
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