The Current Scenario of Thermal Power Plants and Fly Ash: Production and Utilization with a Focus in India

Abstract

Coal fly ash is an industrial by-product produced from the burning of pulverized coal, during electricity generation in the thermal power plants. Fly ash is considered a major global pollutant due to the surplus amount of generation and hazardous nature. With the advancement in the techniques and various Government policies, it has acquired a status of value-added materials. Based on their mineralogical, elemental properties it can be used for the recovery of minerals like alumina, silica and ferrous. India is one of the major producers of coal and as well as fly ash. In India, around 70-75% electricity is generated by the coal-based thermal power plants. Every year nearly 40-50% fly ash remain unutilized in India. In the present work a current scenario and trend of coal-based thermal power plants, fly ash production and utilization with a focus in India has been considered. The government policies, initiatives towards fly ash handling, production, utilization and future prospects are also focused.