Bottom ash
– Ash handling processes
– In a water impounded hopper system, clinker lumps are crushed by grinders and ejected into a trough.
– Modern systems use chain conveyors to continuously remove ash, quenching it in water.
– Municipal waste incinerators produce bottom ash as a byproduct at high temperatures.
– Continuous removal systems are adopted in modern setups for efficient ash handling.
– Clinkers are fed to grinders outside the bottom ash hopper in some arrangements.
– Waste handling
– Ash waste in U.S. facilities is commonly disposed of in ash ponds.
– Some power plants opt for dry disposal systems with landfills.
– Dry ash handling technology can extract and cool bottom ash for reuse.
– Bottom ash can be utilized in making concrete, bricks, and other materials.
– In the UK, furnace bottom ash is distinguished from incinerator bottom ash.
– Environmental impacts
– Coal ash is a significant component of the industrial waste stream in the U.S.
– High levels of toxic elements in coal ash pose risks to human health and the environment.
– Most U.S. power plants lack proper flow controls and liners in ash ponds.
– EPA regulations require retrofitting of unlined ash ponds to prevent environmental contamination.
– Litigation on the CCR regulation is ongoing as of 2021.
– Ash recycling
– Dry bottom ash can be used in various applications, including road construction and cement production.
– Bottom ash can replace earth, sand, or aggregates in different industries.
– Environmental benefits are associated with recycling bottom ash.
– Bottom ash has been historically used in the production of concrete blocks in London.
– Recycling bottom ash reduces environmental impact and promotes sustainability.
– See also
– Coal combustion products are closely related to bottom ash.
– Fly ash is another byproduct of coal combustion.
– Health effects of coal ash are a concern for environmental and public health.
– Industrial wastewater treatment is important in managing ash waste.
– Further research and reading are available on the topic for interested individuals.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bottom_ash