Question

Describe a few words about coal combustion

Answer 1

Coal combustion is mainly done for production of energy and the residues left behind during the process are called as coal combustion products or byproducts. These byproducts of coal combustion can cause air pollution and hence measures to prevent the byproducts from entering the free air.

The byproducts of coal combustion are as follows:

1. Fly ash: This is the ash produced during burning of the coal, it is captured by air pollution control devices like electrostatic precipitators or bag houses,60% of coal cumbustion waste is made up of fly ash.

Fly ash is used to blend with cement mainly in portland cement.

2. Bottom ash: can be used as skid control on icy roads and also as raw feed for manufacturing portland cement.

3. Fuel gas desulphurization material (FGD): These are produced when power plant fuel gas streams remove sulphur and oxides using chemical scrubbers. FGD forms 24% of total coal cumbustion byproducts.