Comprehensive Physicochemical Characterization of Coal Combustion Residues from a Thermal Power Station of India

Coal combustion residue is a by-product from combustion of pulverized coal in thermal power stations and is considered as a waste material. Coal combustion residues contain many chemical elements that may be potentially harmful to the environment. Coal combustion residue handling and disposal is a major problem from an environmental point of view. Though the utilization in India has shown increase in percentage value, still we are to make sufficient effort to fulfill the promise of 100% utilization. Although some of the coal combustion residues are used as construction materials and as backfill material that provides ample opportunity for its bulk use, most of them are still disposed of in settling ponds, also known as ash ponds or landfills. The study here presents comprehensive physicochemical characterization of coal combustion residues from a thermal power station of India. The present study is aimed to provide the database relevant to its finding better utilization potential and also see the effect of land disposal of such ash on the quality of groundwater and surface water through the laboratory study simulating field conditions.