Bottom ash utilization: a review on engineering applications and environmental aspects

Abstract

Bottom ash produced from coal-fired power plants has been utilized in engineering applications for the purpose of recycling and solving disposal issue of bottom ash. This study reviews various applications of bottom ash in engineering fields. The engineering properties exhibited by bottom ash in terms of free draining, granular, lightweight and interlocking nanostructures allow them to be used for different functions. The bottom ash used is not limited to its raw state, but can be mixed and modified for advanced applications without neglecting the impacts on the environmental. The presence of metals in bottom ash are well known and being discussed whether they are harmful to the environment. Many countries have their own threshold limit of maximum contaminants, hence TCLP result will determine the hazardous status of bottom ash. This review helps in promoting the solution and potential usage of bottom ash, since coal is one of the dominant source of energy in power generation sector.