Disposal and Utilization of Fly Ash to Protect the Environment

Abstract: In today’s Era energy planners are aiming to increase the use of Oil, Gas, Nuclear and also Renewable Energy sources to meet the electricity demand in India. But till now coal-based thermal power plants are the major source of electricity generation and they will continue to dominate in the next few decades too. One of the major disadvantages of coal-based thermal power plants is the disposal problem of Fly Ash. It was earlier considered as a total waste and an environmental hazard, thus its use was limited, without much understanding. Fortunately, its useful properties have now begun to be known as raw material for various applications. Now-a-days NTPC, DST, CPRI, CSMRS, BARC, CBRI, etc. are working with Ministry of Environment & Forests and Ministry of Power, Government of India to formulate a strategy to find out the proper use of this waste material. As an outcome of their efforts, Fly Ash is being very effectively and economically used in building components such as bricks, doors, door-frames, etc. Fly Ash is also being used in construction of roads and embankments with some design changes. It is also used as raw material in agricultural and wasteland development programmes. The trend is clear, Fly Ash will soon be considered as a resource material and its potential will be fully exploited. Through development & application of technologies, Fly Ash has shifted from “Waste Material” category to “Resource Material” category. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of disposal and utilization of Fly Ash and its beneficial potential in application of civil engineering construction as well as others.