Market Assessment and Technical Feasibility Study of PFBC Ash Use
- Western Research Inst., Laramie, WY (United States)
- Trow Engineering Consultants, Inc., Tallahassee, FL (United States)
The commercial introduction of pressurized fluidized bed combustion (PFBC) has spurred evaluation of ash management options for this technology. The unique operating characteristics of PFBC compared to atmospheric fluidized bed combustion (AFBC) units indicate that PFBC ash will exhibit unique chemical and physical characteristics, and hence, unique ash use opportunities. Western Research Institute (WRI), under sponsorship of the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), Ahlstrom Pyropower, Inc., and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Morgantown Energy Technology Center (METC), has initiated a study of the use properties of PFBC ashes involving both an assessment of the potential markets, as well as a technical feasibility study of specific use options. The market assessment is designed to address six applications, including: (1) structural fill, (2) road base construction, (3) supplementary cementing materials in portland cement, (4) bricks and blocks, (5) synthetic aggregate, and (6) agricultural/soil amendment applications. Ashes from the Ahlstrom circulating PFBC pilot facility in Caroler, Finland, combusting western U.S. low-sulfur subbituminous coal with limestone sorbent, were made available for the technical feasibility study. The technical feasibility study examined the use of PFBC ash in construction-related applications, including its use as a supplemental cementing material in concrete, fills and embankments, soil stabilization, and synthetic aggregate production. In addition, testing was conducted to determine the technical feasibility of PFBC ash as a soil amendment for agricultural and reclamation applications. PFBC ash does not meet the ASTM chemical requirements as a pozzolan for cement replacement. However, it does appear that potential may exist for its use in cement production as a pozzolan and/or set retardant. PFBC ash shows relatively high strength development, low expansion and low permeability properties that make its use in fills and embankments promising. Testing has also indicated that PFBC ash, when mixed with low amounts of hydrated lime, develops high strengths, suitable for soil stabilization applications and produces a synthetic aggregate capable of meeting ASTM/AASHTO specifications for many construction applications.
- Research Organization:
- Western Research Inst., Laramie, WY (United States); Trow Engineering Consultants, Inc., Tallahassee, FL (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- FC21-93MC30127
- OSTI ID:
- 575247
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/MC/30127--5487; ON: DE97002154
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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