Nova Analytical Systems: #172 - Ash Classification Technology for Coal-fired Power Plants

The massive spill of coal ash into the Dan River in North Carolina USA has focused the nation’s attention on the many coal ash ponds held by coal-fired power providers. These ponds receive a large portion of the ash that results from burning coal at power plants, and are frequently located near waterways. Accidental discharge of these ponds into a river can coat the river bed with toxic sludge for many kilometers downstream.

For numerous pictures of the effects of these discharges, type “coal ash spill” into your preferred internet browser search engine. The results will no doubt resemble this:

Power provider Santee Cooper has undertaken a solution to impoundment of coal ash. They dig it up and recycle it for use in making concrete. There are apparently other uses also for coal ash that may be attractive alternatives to storing it in large open ponds.

Tenova Takraf has technology which is of value in recycling coal ash. Ash Classification Plants convert waste ash into a valuable commodity by:

Classifying, selecting and extracting waste ash from coal-fired power stations, and
Producing high quality pulverized fuel ash (PFA) to improve power utility profitability.

Coal ash that is integrated into concrete apparently must pass rigorous specifications. The Takraf ash classifier can meet these specifications even when there is considerable variation in the quality of the input coal ash.

A brochure with explanation and pictures of this equipment can be obtained here:

http://www.tenovagroup.com/pdf/brochure/46-Ash%20Classification.pdf