Handbook of Fly Ash

Abstract

The demand and consumption of energy are increasing day by day, and to cater to this growing demand for energy, coal is used to generate electricity from coal-fired thermal power plants. The combustion of coal results in the generation of fly ash as a by-product. It comprises oxides of iron, silicon, calcium, and magnesium along with traces of toxic elements such as beryllium, arsenic, lead, mercury, and many others depending upon the grade of coal used for combustion. The major areas where fly ash can be used are—inter alia—agriculture, catalysis, adsorbents, zeolite synthesis, construction of roads, mine filling, and construction industry. Chapter 1, Coal-based fly ash, focuses on the evolution of coal and its grade, coal-based fly ash, its generation, its classification based on different factors, and the properties of coal-based fly ash. Findings of a number of studies have revealed that surface modification of fly ash plays a vital role in dictating the final properties of fly ash-based polymer composites because of the enhanced polymer filler interactions or to develop a synergy between matrix and filler to achieve desired applications. Various methods of functionalization, such as isothermal heating, surface modification by planetary ball milling, mechanochemical activation of fly ash, and surface functionalization by chemical treatment, and their characterizations have been explored in Chapter 2, Functionalization of fly ash. Fly ash cenospheres are among the most valuable by-products obtained from the burning of coal. They are lightweight, hollow, and spherical, and hence find useful industrial applications. In Chapter 3, Fly ash cenosphere: characterization, processing, and properties, cenosphere formation, characterization, processing, and properties have been discussed for a better understanding of the cenosphere in diversified technological applications. Owing to the light weight of fly ash, it can spread through air, water, soil, insects, plants, and animals including fish. As a result, it can cause health problems involving respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological systems, to the skin and eyes, and can even cause cancer. Chapter 4, Fly ash: safety and health issues, discusses fly ash safety and pertinent health issues. Polymer matrix composites are the most distinguished class of materials owing to their low weight and enhanced mechanical, thermal, and tribological properties. Chapter 5, Fly ash-reinforced polyethylene composites, elucidates the utilization of polyethylene thermoplastic polymer and fly ash/cenospheres as high-performance composites. The composites were characterized microscopically, mechanically, thermally, and tribologically to reveal their enhanced performance compared with