Task 5.9 - use of coal ash in recycled plastics and composite materials
The goal of this research project by the Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) was to determine the potential for coal ash to serve as a {open_quote}functional filler{close_quotes} in plastics and other composite materials, with special emphasis on recycled plastics. The term functional filler is intended to indicate that the material added to the plastic does more than take up space and extend the use of the polymer. Determining the functional filler potential of ash was not the only intent of this project, since another prime objective was to find a use for materials currently considered waste. The term functional filler also opened a door to the use of cenospheres, which are currently marketed and for which there is sufficient market demand that they do not fit the category of a waste even though they are a product of coal combustion. Cenospheres, hollow spherical ash particles, were selected because of their unique properties. Although they currently have commercial applications, the unique nature of these materials make them an excellent candidate for use as a functional filler in composites. The ability to produce a commercially viable product from waste streams and a recycled material is a positive step toward reducing solid waste. The first task, since there are numerous types of coal ash, was to select suitable ash types for use in this project. Three basic types of material were selected: fly ash, a bottom ash, and a unique form of coal ash known as cenospheres.
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND (United States). Energy and Environmental Research Center
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- FC21-93MC30097
- OSTI ID:
- 565273
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/MC/30097-5676; ON: DE97005405; TRN: 98:000960
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: PBD: Jul 1995
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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