Study on effective utilization of coal ash in the conservation of natural resources and reduction of CO2 emissions

The management and regulation of the waste generated from coal-based power plants have been a key issue throughout the world. There is a need for the voluminous utilization of coal ash in India. The bulk utilization of the industrial waste materials like coal ash can control the exploitation of the natural resources like soil in different aspects. Here, it has been attempted to evaluate the potential use of coal ash as a foundation/fill material. In addition, physical, geotechnical, morphological, and chemical characterization of the pond ash has been done. Then, finite element modeling of the vibratory roller compaction was simulated using PLAXIS3D software for the recommendation of the pond ash as a construction material in place of soil. Also, the reduction in CO2 emission with pond ash was compared with that of the soil. The reduction in CO2 emission was found to be about 15% considering several factors like distance from the source station to the test site, types of coal ash used, types of construction equipment employed, etc. The utilization of pond ash as fill material was found to be economical, and its utilization saves around INR 32 to INR 399 per cubic meter.