Trace Elements in Indian Coal and Coal Fly Ash

Abstract

It was on coal that nation built their industrial power in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Coal reserves are in order of magnitude greater than other energy reserves. In India, most of the plants are coal based thermal power plant. The quantities of coal combusted are at present very large and are planned to further increase in the near future. Production of unmanageable huge quantity of fly ash has the potential to create health problems; also poses environmental risks due to dust at all stages from its recovery from the flue gases to its point of final disposal. Out of the generated quantity of fly ash, only a small proportion of ash is being utilized for various purposed. The chemical composition of fly ash depends on the elemental composition of coal used, processing of coal, etc. Major non-degradable pollutants of thermal power plants are trace elements present in fly ash. Environmental pollution due to these inorganic fractions of fly ash is a matter of concern. Trace elements are present in various forms/species in fly ash, which directly related to their behavior in environment. These species of trace elements has a impact on environmental components like air, water and soil. Although landfills have many inherent advantages, the leaching of fill material causes serious ground water pollution, if improperly carried out. The mobilization of trace elements from ash disposal areas has only recently received attention. Coal combustion will make a contribution to the trace element load in the atmosphere.