Physiochemical and leaching characteristics of fly and bottom ash

Abstract

ABSTRACT Bottom ash and fly ash are the by-products of coal in thermal power plants. They are the combustion wastes and contain many elements that may harmful to the environment. The present study investigates the physiochemical, mineral, and leaching characteristics of an Indian coal ash (bottom ash and fly ash). From the characterization of bottom ash and fly ash, it is found that the ash samples are enriched predominantly in silica, alumina, and iron oxides. A series of leaching experiments have been performed to analyze the tracing elements of metal at the different liquid to solid ratio (L/S). The L/S varies from 20:1 to 80:1. From the leaching results of the fly ash and bottom ash data, it is observed that the tracing elements of Mn, Mg, Cr, Zn, Ni, Pb, Fe, and Cu are the most abundant elements, while Hg, Mo, and Co are the least abundant elements.