I was wondering if you can use any type of ash in concrete. The local trash to energy plant makes lots of ash. Can it be used in concrete to make it better?
2007-02-11 15:09:43 · 3 answers · asked by orvette1 2 in Environment
Fly ash from power plants is used in place of portland cement to make concrete. Fly ash from a trash-burning power plant might also be suitable for this use, depending on what is in the plant's feed stream and the composition of the fly ash.
2007-02-12 00:28:11 · answer #1 · answered by Observer in MD 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As stated above, Fly Ash is often used as a mineral admixture in concrete. It can be used to replace a portion of portland cement (you cannot replace all of the portland cement with fly ash). Fly ash is a by product produced from coal burning electricity plants. Blast furnace slag, a by-product of steel mills, is also commonly used in concrete as a mineral admixture.
Whether or not the ash produced at your trash to energy plant can be used in concrete depends on the chemical composition of the ash being produced. ASTM C 618 is a specification that establishes the chemical and performance requirements of the ash. Most notably, the sum of the major acidic oxides (silica oxide, aluminum oxide, and ferrous oxide) must be greater than 70%.
2007-02-12 22:00:35 · answer #2 · answered by violin260 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, ash is moisture absorbant and inhibits the curing process.
Ash is good for landscaping ... It may also be pressed into logs for reburning but I may be making that part up.
2007-02-11 23:20:33 · answer #3 · answered by For my next trick... 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋