Probing the Critical Element Chemistry of Coal-Combustion Fly Ash: Examination of Zircon and Associated Minerals from a Beneficiated Kentucky Fly Ash

Berti, Debora; Groppo, John G.; Joshi, Prakash; Preda, Dorin V.; Gamliel, David P.; Beers, Todd; Schrock, Michael; Hopps, Shelley D.; Morgan, Tonya D.; Zechmann, Bernd; Hower, James C.

doi:10.3390/min15050461

Probing the Critical Element Chemistry of Coal-Combustion Fly Ash: Examination of Zircon and Associated Minerals from a Beneficiated Kentucky Fly Ash

Journal Article · Tue Apr 29 00:00:00 EDT 2025 · Minerals

DOI:https://doi.org/10.3390/min15050461· OSTI ID:2563479

; Groppo, John G.; Joshi, Prakash; Preda, Dorin V.; Gamliel, David P.; Beers, Todd; Schrock, Michael; ; Morgan, Tonya D.; ;

Along with the principal rare earth (REE) minerals such as monazite, xenotime, and bastnasite, Y-and REE-bearing zircon and associated minerals survive the combustion process and are found in coal-combustion fly ash. Beneficiated fly ash from a power plant burning an eastern-Kentucky-sourced coal blend was found to have zircon (ZrSiO4), baddeleyite (ZrO2), fergusonite (YNbO4), yttriaite (Y2O3), and xenotime (YPO4). Previous studies of the same fly had also identified monazite with a broad REE suite. Scanning electron microscopy–electron dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM)–EDS as well as other TEM-based techniques revealed a variety of zircon associations, including heavy-REE suites with Y, Nb, and Hf. Hafnium is a common accessory element in zircons and the Y and Nb may be present as fergusonite (YNbO4) intermixed with zircon.

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Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE

Grant/Contract Number:: FE0027167

OSTI ID:: 2563479

Journal Information:: Minerals, Journal Name: Minerals Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 15; ISSN MBSIBI; ISSN 2075-163X

Publisher:: MDPI AGCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: Switzerland

Language:: English

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Probing the Critical Element Chemistry of Coal-Combustion Fly Ash: Examination of Zircon and Associated Minerals from a Beneficiated Kentucky Fly Ash

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