The mineralogy and chemistry of pulverised fuel ash produced by three South African coal-burning power stations

The chemical and mineral compositions are presented for 63 pulverized fuel ash (PFA) and 16 input coal samples collected from Lethabo, Duvha and Matla power stations over the period 1987-1988. Bulk chemical composition was determined by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. The mineral concentrations were determined by semi-quantitative X-ray diffraction based on integrated counts over peak areas, with silicon used as an internal standard. The particle size distributions were determined for two sample sets from each power station with a Malvern Instruments Particle Sizer. The major phases present in the ash are glass ( 45-75% ), mullite (16-39%) and quartz (1.5-16% ). The quartz concentration decreases in PF A from fields 1 to 4 in all the stations, and is positively correlated with the SiO₂ concentration. The concentrations of glass, mullite and quartz in PFA generally vary within well defined limits which remain constant with time. An exception is the glass concentration in Duvha PFA. Spinel concentration generally decreases in concentration in PFA from fields 1 to 4, and is positively correlated with the Fe₂O₃ concentration. Of the trace elements determined, Zr, Rb and Mn generally have no or very low enrichment in concentration in PFA from fields 1 to 4. The highest enrichment factors ( > 5) were found for As, Ge and Se in Duvha PF A. The composition of the glass and ferrite spinel phases were determined by electron microprobe analysis. The glass consists of SiO₂ (21-100%) and Al₂ O₃ (0.1-49%), with significant proportions of CaO, TiO₂, Fe₂O₃ and MgO. Al₂O₃ , MgO and TiO₂ substitute for FeO in the spinel structure, with MgO substitution dominant in Duvha spinels. Chemical mass balance calculations suggest that of the elements determined for Lethabo PFA, the only one released in a significant proportion to the atmosphere is S(92% ).

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Geological Sciences

Year dc:date.issued

1990

Author dc:creator

• Bosch, Gordon L

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/22044

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/22044