Fly Ash

Fly Ash

• Recently, National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) has developed an infrastructure to transport fly ash from power plants in bulk to cement plants, at a cheaper cost.
• It will pave the way for efficient and environmentally friendly transportation.
• This development is in line with NTPC's commitment towards 100% utilization of fly ash from power plants. At present, 63% of the fly ash is being utilized in India.

Fly Ash:

• Definition: It is a byproduct of the burning of coal in electric power generating plants.
• It is called fly ash because it is transported from the combustion chamber by exhaust gases.
• It is collected from the exhaust gases by electrostatic precipitators or bag filters.
• Composition: Fly ash includes substantial amounts of silicon dioxide (SiO2), aluminum oxide (Al2O3), ferric oxide (Fe2O3), and calcium oxide (CaO).
• Properties:
• Resemble Portland cement but is chemically different.
• Portland cement is a binding material in the form of a finely ground powder, that is manufactured by burning and grinding a mixture of limestone and clay.
• Its chemical composition includes calcium silicates, calcium aluminate, and calcium aluminoferrite.
• Exhibit cementitious properties.
• Cementitious material is one that hardens when mixed with water.
• Uses: It is used in concrete and cement products, road base, metal recovery, and mineral filler among others.
• Harmful Effects: Fly ash particles are toxic air pollutants. They can trigger heart disease, cancer, respiratory diseases, and stroke.
• When combined with water they cause leaching of heavy metals in groundwater.
• It also pollutes the soil and affects the root development system of trees.

NTPC

• NTPC Ltd. is a Central Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) under the Ministry of Power.
• Aim: To provide reliable power and related solutions in an economical, efficient, and environment-friendly manner, driven by innovation and agility.
• It became a Maharatna company in May 2010.
• It is located in New Delhi.

Source: PIB