INTRODUCTION
MINISTRY OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS, THE NETHERLANDS

Clean Coal Technology has always had strong attention of the Dutch Government. In the Beginning of the eighties, the Netherlands adopted its policy for the re-introduction of coal, mainly for the electricity sector. One of the conditions was that good solutions had to be found for the use of coal in an environmentally friendly way.

The Ministry of Economic Affairs has spent much effort in stimulating the development of clean coal technology by the Dutch industry. As a result, the coal-fired power stations in the Netherlands are nowadays all equipped with the most advanced clean coal technologies, i.e. combinations of low-NOx and de-SOx units.

Regarding coal-residues, in the past and with help of the Netherlands Agency for Energy and the Environment (Novem), much effort has been spent by the Dutch industry in finding useful applications. As a result, today, 100% of the coal-residues produced in the Netherlands is re-used. This is probably unequalled in the world. The Netherlands is willing to share its experience in clean coal technology with other countries, for mutual benefit.

I hope that this brochure will serve as a catalyst for further development of relations between the Netherlands and other countries in the field of clean coal technology.

Peter Scholten,
the Deputy Director-General of Energy.
The Directorate-General for Energy,
Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Netherlands.

THE INTERNATIONAL
CLEAN COAL TECHNOLOGY
COOPERATION - THE NETHERLANDS

A select group of Dutch expert companies decided to cooperate in the field of clean coal technology (CCT). They recognized the advantages of bundling their CCT activities and ?know how to guarantee a complete and high quality portfolio of services, equipment, and products. For that purpose, this group has established the International Clean Coal Technology Cooperation ?The Netherlands. The ICCTC-members together cover most parts of the drain of coal processing and conversion. Some of them transfer their CCT know how in consultancy and design services while others are able to deliver specific machinery and equipment. Besides that, high quality solutions are available for logistics and the conversion of coal by-products into building materials. The group has a continuous support from and a stimulating relationship with the Netherlands Ministry of Economic Affairs.

The main stay of the cooperation is to transfer clean coal technology to Asian countries, i.e. China, Indonesia, etc. The areas covered vary from mining, handling, transport, storage, firing techniques and rehabilitation, up to the processing of building materials from coal by-products. Because of the multidisciplinary expertise of this cooperation, the ability to assist in CCT education and ?research is present as well.

The International Clean Coal Technology Cooperation is represented by a Coordinating Management (CM) that is responsible for the gathering and distribution of business opportunities and projects to the members of the group. If a private company or a governmental agency has a need for complete solutions accompanied by products, processes, or appropriate know how in the field of Clean Coal Technology, the ICCT?CM is able to canalize this need.

SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS FOR TOTAL

COAL FLY ASH UTILIZATION

 

WITH EMPHASIS ON LARGE SCALE OPTIONS

 

INTERNATIONAL CLEAN COAL TECHNOLOGY GROUP  (ICCT)

THE NETHERLANDS

December 1999

Prepared under contract of:

NOVEM (Netherlands Corporation for Energy and Environment b.v.)

by

IWACO B.V. (Consultants for Water and Environment)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.      Introduction                                                                                                          3

1.1        Background                                                                                                   3

1.2        Objectives of this document                                                       -      4

2.      Solutions for total fly ash utilization                                      --      5

2.1        General incentives                                                                                   5

2.2        Overview of fly ash utilization options                            --      6

2.3        Large scale options                                                                                 8

2.4        Small scale options                                                                                 9

3.      large scale land development through coal fly ash utilization

3.1        General adventages                                                                              10

3.2        Background for agricultural lands                                        10

3.3        Principle of large scale land reclamation                          11

3.4        Benefits of the technology                                                              12

3.5        Results                                                                                                           13

3.6    Implications for other large scale options                        14

4.      The ICCT Co-operation                                                                                    16

4.1        Scope                                                                                                                16

4.2        Achievements                                                                                             16

4.3        The ICCT members                                                                                     17

5.   ICCT products and services                                                                        18

5.1        Products and consulting services                                              18

5.2        Building materials                                                                                19

5.3        Large scale utilization                                                                       21

5.4        Advice on financial opportunities                                               22

1.         INTRODUCTION

1.1       Background

Coal is second to oil as a primary energy resource and fly ash is the main solid by-product of coal combustion (10-40 % w/w). Over the next 15 years, world coal use is expected to increase more than 2 percent annually. Growth in China and India alone will account for more than 60 percent of this incremental coal demand (even more than 75% in non-OECD countries according to IEA Coal Research) and 40 percent of world coal use projected for 2010.

Figure 1.           Expected fly ash production in the world

For example in China and India markets for fly ash have been developed in the construction industry. Overall less than 10% of the total ash production is currently utilised in economic terms. The bulk of the fly ash is disposed of at a considerable cost by transporting it to large ponds. Most disposal sites are unmanaged and, therefore, serve as a major source of dust, and may contaminate surface and groundwater through uncontrolled leakage of  ash percolate.

1.2       Objectives of this document

This document aims at presenting the Dutch ICCT group and its capability to provide total sustainable solutions for using fly ash from coal combusting processes to the power and energy sector in Asian Countries.

The ICCT-group, or International Clean Coal Technology Co-operation, comprises a select group of Dutch expert companies and consultants active in the field of clean coal technology (CCT). The mission statement of this group with respect to by-products is to contribute to implementation of cost-effective and sustainable ash management scenario's. Related objectives are:

-       to present scope and achievements of the ICCT group;

-       to present key solutions for total large scale fly ash utilization especially for large coal consuming countries;

-       to present ICCT products and services.

Prior to the presentation of the products and services of the ICCT-group, a state of the art overview is given of ash utilization options. Emphasis is laid on alternative options for large scale fly ash utilization as essential part of a total sustainable solution.

2.         SOLUTIONS FOR TOTAL FLY ASH UTILIZATION

2.1              General incentives

The environmental impacts of energy use are known to occur along the entire fuel chain, from coal extraction to waste and waste water disposal. In countries like India and China more than two-thirds of the commercial needs are generated from coal, with resulting environmental impacts. Particularly in India and China, one of the main problems is the disposal of ash from coal combustion: fly ash contains elevated levels of leachable salts and heavy metals. Disposal of such huge quantities raises serious environmental concerns. Moreover, the construction of these disposal sites results in resettlement issues and loss of agricultural production, grazing land and habitat.

Figure 2. Fly ash pond in operation

Wet disposal in huge ponds is the technology used in most plants. Its main advantage is the ease by which the ash as slurry can be transported from the plant to the pond. However, compared with disposal of dry fly ash, this technology generates greater quantities of leachate and requires more land for disposal. Contamination of water sources and land degradation are the most important concerns associated with wet ash disposal. In line with the current trend, it is expected that approximately 10,000 ha of valuable land for constructing ash ponds will be required by 2007 in India alone.

Next to disposal, a small part of the world fly ash production is used predominantly as dry ash in building materials. Extensive research has been oriented towards further development of this type of ash utilisation, in the western as well as in the developing world. However, its economic viability depends on local conditions and markets, and only a relatively limited portion of the total fly ash volume is expected to be utilised in this way in the near future (Figure 3).

Figure 3.           Indicative distribution of fly-ash applications in the world

In conclusion, the current practice of disposal of fly ash has important socio-economic and environmental drawbacks. Therefore, utilization of coal fly ash should be stimulated as much as possible through implementation of new economic feasible and environmentally sound applications. Feasibility of future power plants will increasingly depend on the availability of viable solutions for fly ash.

2.2              Overview of fly ash utilization options

The suitability for ash utilization depends on several technical and economic factors such as:

§         the  chemical and physical properties of the ash;

§         controlled variability of the ash properties;

§         site specific factors, such as local land availability and local market for building materials;

§         availability and quality of competing material and market structures;

§         availability of waste lands or marginal lands which need rehabilitation;

§         commercial experience in using the product.

Fly ash applications can be roughly categorized into low and high value added applications. Their main difference is that in the latter category the fly ash is either controlled or modified using advanced technologies, whereas in the first predominantly raw materials are directly used. Low value added applications mainly concern large scale use like land reclamation, whereas high value added applications mainly refer to building materials. Table 1 presents an overview of available applications and methods.

Table 1. Listing of large and small scale fly ash applications

Small scale application / building materials/high added value
Cement: -        Portland clinker -        Portland filler -        blast furnace cement filler -        slag filler -        slag preparation -        activated slag cement	Concrete: -        concrete mortar -        plaster mortar -        masonry mortar -        foam concrete -        dry mix -        fly ash sand -        concrete roads -        concrete products: flag-stone, paving stone, Kerb-stone, sewer pipe/pit, pile	Ceramics: -        paving stones -        bricks -        roof tiles -        porous tiles -        polysil tiles -        ceramic tiles & paver blocks	Civil engineering applications: -        asphalt filler -        road stabilization, sub-basis -        dikes -        banks -        industrial areas -        hydraulic engineering -        road construction: slopes, ramps, approach roads, concrete roads
Lime: -        sand-lime / calcium silicate brick -        insulation material -        cellular concrete -        gascon -        masonry mortar -        sewage sludge stabilizer	FGD Gypsum: -        indoor wall blocks -        cardboard/fiberboard self leveling floors        retarding agent   Miscellaneous: -        zeolites -	Synthetic artificial gravel: -        aardelite, a lime bound artificial gravel -        lytag, a sintered light weight synthetic gravel	Upgrading techniques: -        calcining -        sintering -        wind shifting -        sieving, screening -        grinding, milling -        mixing, blending -        drying -        micronising
Large scale application/low added value
-        Use on agricultural land as fertilizer -        Land reclamation for agriculture and forestry -        Land reclamation for building -        Application in large infrastructure works -        Mine back filling (mine  stowing) -        Rehabilitation of uncontrolled landfills

2.3       Large scale options

Land application with fly ash use as fertilizer

This type of application is considered an attractive alternative for disposal of fly ash compared to the current procedure of disposal. However, concern of trace element contamination has been one factor that has limited widespread land application. Another major limiting factor is the lack of macro nutrients (notably nitrogen) in the ash, which is consequently of little agronomic value. However, several studies has shown that the mixing of fly ash with an organic waste product such as paper mill water, sewage sludge or poultry litter can produce a balanced soil amendment with equivalent nutrient availability to conventional fertilizers. Moreover, addition of fly ash improves the water holding capacity and the structure of the soil.

Land reclamation for forestry and agricultural development by covering the soil with a fly ash layer.

Recent studies have revealed that fly ash is very similar to volcanic ash from a morphological, physical and chemical point of view. Given enough time, both ash types are predisposed to transform into a fertile soil. This 'naturalization process' is enhanced by the action of vegetation. If properly exploited and managed, these unique properties make fly ash a potential resource for forestry and agriculture. This last point is of special importance because some of the largest producers of coal fly ash (e.g. India and China) have the greatest need for fertile soil and renewable energy. This very promising process is elaborated in Chapter 3.

Land reclamation for developing building areas.

Building areas require consolidated soils. Advanced pumping systems are now available which are able to transport low moisture fly ash over large distances. Application of low moisture fly ash provides stable consolidated soils in a relative short period of time.

Mine back filling

Mine back filling has demonstrated to be an attractive option for those plants located near the coal mine. Back filling of underground mines is technically vulnerable and especially holds good potentials for those areas where sand is scarce. Open cast mine filling can again be considered as land reclamation.

Rehabilitation of uncontrolled landfills with fly ash

Rehabilitation of existing landfills may be required from socio-economic and/or environmental reasons. Low-tech and high-tech rehabilitation techniques have proven their value in the Netherlands. These comprise monitoring (with respect to certain functions), control (to reduce / avoid risks), isolation (covering with clay) and remediation (removal) techniques. Rehabilitation is relatively costly. Depending on local climatic conditions and on the quality of the native ash, one attractive option for old unmanaged (open) ash ponds might be to excavate the detoxified and fertile ash top layer before capping the ponds. The excavated ash can be used as a fertilizer.

2.4         Small scale options

Small scale alternatives for using fly ash mainly concern building materials. In a previous NOVEM assignment an identification was made of Dutch technologies which might be suitable for transfer to the Fujian Province in China (APM, GEM, KEMA). At the moment of the study fly ash had been applied in various building materials. Below, a table is presented indicating, which Dutch coal fly ash technologies would be feasible. The indicative information is based on criteria with respect to experience and local market opportunities.

Table 2.            Indicative overview of products with feasibility indication for Fujian Province

Product	Description	Familiarity	Market chance	Advantages for Chinese/Indian market
Lytag	Artificial gravel manufactured by sintering spherical fly ash pellets	Yes	+++	100% ash; use of coarse ash; use of light weight concrete; export
Upgrading installation	Special blending, screening and sieving	No	++	Reduction of C-content; increased fine ash for high quality materials
Micronised coal fly ash		No	+	Production of fine ash (<5um) for high performance concrete
Aardelite	Artificial gravel manufactured by binding spherical fly ash pellets	Yes	+	Use of coarse ash
Transport of  fly ash (slurry pumps)	Potential for high density fly ash transport	No	++	Decrease of water contamination; high density transport over large distance
Aerated blocks	Aerated concrete	Yes	N
Fly ash bricks	Clay bricks (soft mud	Yes	+++	High ash percentage; use of coarse ash; replacement of clay
Concrete bricks	Special recipes	Yes	++	High ash percentage; use of coarse ash
Production machinery	Miscellaneous	-	+	Higher quality building materials

 

+:   positive;   N:  neutral;   -:  negative

3.         LARGE SCALE LAND RECLAMATION THROUGH FLY ASH UTILIZATION

3.1       General advantages

Large scale land reclamation with fly ash as outlined above has the following substantial advantages:

§         Substantial quantities relative to the amount produced can be utilized, provided proper study and management before implementation; there is scope for total utilization;

§         The environmental and economical costs associated with the current practice of disposal are transformed into benefits (e.g. by sustainable wood production, increasing soil fertility; local employment opportunities, self-financing potential);

§         Land applications can be implemented against low investments relative to the very large volumes;

§         They provide socio-economic benefit for both the energy producer and local population.

This chapter provides information on land reclamation for agriculture and forestry as one of the promising large scale utilization options.

3.2         Background to large scale land reclamation for agricultural lands

Introduction to the technology

Current regulations call for the retired ash ponds to be covered with a topsoil to prevent leaching of contaminants (such as As, B, Cr, Mo, Ni, Cu, Zn) and windblown of fly ash into the surrounding environment. However, absolute containment of ash ponds on the longer term in a tropical climate is far from feasible and the time scale in which leaching occurs is unpredictable. Moreover, the topsoil for covering ash ponds is stripped off from other fertile areas, resulting in land degradation.

In the framework of ICCT (see also chapter 5) a technology was developed to naturalize coal fly ash. This technology converts fly ash into a fertile soil with the potential for large scale utilization for sustainable land development, agriculture and forestry. This last point is of special importance because some of the largest producers of coal fly ash (e.g. India and China) have the greatest need for fertile soil and renewable energy. Simultaneously, the risks of uncontrolled and widespread contamination of surface and groundwater are drastically curtailed by this technology.

Basics of the technology

From a morphological and chemical point of view, coal fly ash can be considered,  analogous to volcanic ash, as an assemblage of predominantly natural occurring glasses, which are predisposed to form clay-like constituents and minerals. In comparison to most natural soils and sediments both ash types are enriched with heavy metals and salts. We have investigated several historical ash deposits and observed (along similar lines as widely reported on volcanic ash deposits) that under conditions of free drainage:

1.                  Neo-formation of clay-like constituents is one of the most prominent processes in weathered fly ash deposits, and;

2.                  these neo-formed clays have the capacity to fixate heavy metals.

We have established that, although the weathering mechanism of coal fly ash is similar to that of volcanic ash, the kinetics of coal fly ash weathering are considerably more rapid. The observed rapid neo-formation of clays is due to its initially very high pH, which  distinguishes coal fly ash from volcanic ash.

Figure 4. High magnification of a weathered fly ash particle showing clay formation

3.3         Principle of large scale land reclamation

The principle objective of the technology is to provide an environmental and economical sustainable solution for a significant fraction of the ash production. This objective is achieved by exploiting natural pedo-genetic processes (physical/chemical soil processes):

1.      to detoxify and improve the agronomic properties of  fly ash;

2.      to minimise the adverse impacts of fly ash on the local environment (e.g. surface and groundwater, soil);

3.      to upgrading waste lands to a higher level of productivity within a manageable period.

The implementation principally comprises three consecutive phases of operation as indicated in Figure 5.

Figure 5.         Phases of operation of the technology

More information about the consecutive phases and their characteristics can be obtained from literature and IWACO project documents.

3.4         Benefits of the technology application

If implemented appropriately, the technology is anticipated to have very strong environmental and economic benefits. However, eventual implementation at sites requires thorough preparation in various sectors and with participation of local people. In summary the following benefits of the technology and its application are expected:

Environmental

The approach reduces detrimental (local) environmental impacts of ash disposal by:

·         controlling the initial release of contaminants;

·         reduction of long term leaching of contaminants;

·         reduction of windblown of ash into the surrounding environment;  

·         full restoration of the land to its original or even higher level of productivity;

·         contribution to the fixation of CO₂ by biomass production (forestry: ~10 ton of wood /ha./year);

·         improvements of land (fertility) in case waste lands are selected.

Socio-economic

The most attractive aspect of this technology implies that  the environmental and economic costs associated with coal fly ash disposal are transformed in to benefits. The economic feasibility of the application of this technology relies on:

·         sustainable wood production and/or cropping can generate long term income;

·         increased soil fertility;

·         subsequent increased land values;

·         local employment opportunities;

·         self-financing project potential.

·         the long term income can be used to compensate monitoring and maintenance costs of such projects;

·         avoidance of any cost for just disposal in landfills.

3.5         Results of large scale land reclamation

The figure below shows an example of pilot experiments in India. Local wood production can be derived from forestry management on abandoned ash ponds.

Figure 6.         Pilot experiment in India showing excellent growth of the tree species which have been planted on fresh fly ash (Acacia auriculiformis, Casuarina equisetifolia, and Eucalyptus globulus).

3.6              Implications for other large scale options

In principle,  the basic principles of our technology are applicable in many other frameworks for various different purposes. However, different countries, regions and even different cases/sites may have clearly different characteristics with possible major consequences for approach and implementation. Therefore we emphasize that proper studies (investigations and planning) are conducted and proper management practices prior to implementation.

The future potential of total fly ash use is greatly determined by using fly ash in large quantities at proper locations after optimizing its benefits. This can further be facilitated by applying high density fly ash pumps, which convey fly ash with considerably less water over much larger distances than with traditional pumps. Additional advantages of low water content is that land reclaimed can be put into operation much quicker.

Future possibilities are :

-                      besides waste lands, the approach may also be valid for reclamation of open cast mines inside as well as outside the power sector, degraded lands, etc.;

-                      large coal consumers like China, India and Indonesia, may strongly benefit from these partly new approaches;

-                      an example of large infra-structural works concerns the construction of  an island out of fly ash for the purpose of land reclamation for industrial development;

-                      various types of trees and agricultural crops can be applied in the subsequent stages of land development; also production of bio-mass and/or wood as fuel may be aimed at; the relation to Joint Implementation is then apparent;

-                      the use of pipelines and high density pumps instead of trucks, further increases the feasibility of the above mentioned applications; advantages are its flexibility, the low pressure on roads, large volumes of fly ash ad the relative quick operation of lands.

4.         THE INTERNATIONAL CLEAN COAL TECHNOLOGY C0-OPERATION (ICCT)

4.1       Scope

A select group of Dutch expert companies decided to co-operate in the field of clean coal technology  (CCT). They recognised the advantages of bundling their CCT-activities and -know how to guarantee a complete and high quality portfolio of services, equipment, and products. For that purpose, this group has established the International Clean Coal Technology Cooperation ‑The Netherlands (ICCT). Although the ICCT members together cover all stages of the coal cycle from benefaction to utilisation, their expertise is here focussed on the field of coal fly ash utilisation.  Some of them transfer their CCT-know how in consultancy and design services while others are able to supply specific machinery and equipment. Besides that, high quality solutions are available for logistics and the conversion of coal by-products into building materials. The group has a continuous support from and a stimulating relationship with the Netherlands Ministry of Economic Affairs.

The main goal of the co-operation is to transfer clean coal technology to Asian countries, i.e. China, Indonesia, India, etc. The areas covered vary from mining, handling, transport, storage, firing techniques of coal, rehabilitation of power plants, up to bulk use ashes in infrastructure, for forestry & agriculture, in building materials (e.g. cement and concrete), and in landfills. Also high quality solutions are available for logistics and the conversion of coal by-products into useful materials.

The ICCT is represented by a Co-ordinating Management (CM) that is responsible for the gathering and distribution of business opportunities and projects to the members of the group. If  a private company or a governmental agency has a need for complete solutions accompanied by products, processes, or appropriate know how in the field of CCT, the ICCT-CM is able to channel this need.

4.2         Achievements for China

In the first quarter of 1997, ICCT was established and since then several pre-investment activities have been carried out:

§         scanning missions: in China: Shandong Province, Liaoning Province, Fujian Province, Beijing, Shanghai and Tianjin. Many business opportunities have initially been indicated.

§         feasibility studies: amongst others various studies for Lytag^®-LWA in Shanghai, for Fly Ash Utilization Project in the Liaoning Province, for by-products utilization in Tianjin and Beijing, financial and market analyses of various coal residue building material production units in the Shanxi province.

§         demonstration projects: LWA-pumping concrete in Shanghai, LWA-concrete blocks in Shenyang, Liaoning Province.

§         Research & development initiatives: high content fly-ash bricks.

§         Definition of project sheets for large scale utilization.

§         Three joint ventures are under negotiation.

At this moment the expected transaction value of ICCT-projects that already passed the feasibility stage amounts in total more than one million USD.

4.3         The Members

The table underneath presents the members of the ICCT.

Table 3.            Members of ICCT and general scope of service

General information on ICCT can be found in our general brochure.

5.         ICCT  PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

5.1       Products and consulting services

ICCT primarily provides:

-       Products, plant design and know how with respect to the production and application of building materials;

-       consulting services with respect to total utilization of fly ash, including small and large scale application options;

-       consulting services with respect to environmental management, including environmental impact assessment;

-       project management, including access to financing opportunities.

Table 4.                    Overview of products and services for technologies

Important aspect of Hoogovens HTS Europe concerns the export of the Aardelite technology. From this technology also the Carbolite and the Ecobrick technologies have been derived.

Aardelite technology is a technology by which inorganic residues, amongst others fly ash, are turned into a light weight aggregate for the building industry, in for example masonry blocks and concrete products. The Ecobrick is a cold bonded masonry brick that contains over 95% fly ash. Ecobrick is especially suited for interior walling.

Carbolite is a technology capable of economically converting fine carbonaceous materials and ores into small hard pellets. The technology can easily be applied  to produce coal fines, coke breeze, gasification residues, char, furnace dust and a variety of metal ores. The pellets produced find application in numerous industrial processes, where they can be used in the same applications as their primary products. These include fuels, reductants, and/or raw materials.

Micronised fly ash

There is a fast growing demand for very finely distributed fillers for concrete. Such filters enable the manufacture of a high performance durable concrete that is twice to three times stronger than traditional concrete and is easier to process.

KEMA has developed a process for particle size reduction (i.e. micronization) of fly ash, for which a patent application has been filed. This 'Ultra-Fine-Fly-Ash' is produces by means of special mills. The average particle size is about 1.5 micron, which is much finer than can be achieved by other methods. Tests have demonstrated that this product can be used to manufacture high performance concrete of at least strength class B105 (105 N/mm2).

AC Slag Cement

Besides Portland-cement, other raw materials like natural volcanic ash (pumice) and other trash-deposits as well as fly ash from coal based power stations, have 'pozzulan' characteristics. Built on this principle (by APM) many mix-varieties of these types of cement are available on the European market.

For the alcali activated blast furnace slag cement (ASC), an alkali activator is added to the finely ground blast-furnace slag as a binding component. The quality of ASC has become increasingly interesting due to:

-          the possibility to acquire a slag with an optimal chemical composition;

-          the application possibilities of fly ashes.

Although relative high cost are involved at the melting process, the total end price of the cement is lower that the traditional Portland blast-furnace slag cements, as at ASC production inert material could be added to the molten slag (50/50). Further, its application in mortar and concrete may well replace traditional cement, generates lower hydration heat, warm/humid climate is favorable to its strength development and it is very resistant against aggressive (e.g. sulphate containing sea-) water.

5.3              Large scale utilization

Consulting services

ICCT member IWACO has developed the naturisation technology approach building on Indian experiences. Together with KEMA they form excellent team that can deal with all issues required to utilize fly ash in an optimum way. This incorporates the following possible services:

-          characterization of fly ash, including laboratory analyses and geo-chemical, hydro-chemical and bio-chemical modeling; moreover, we have the availability of  a world wide coverage of coal and fly ash data in a large data base; we can determine the potential for the various small and large scale utilization options;

-          design and implement environmental management systems for power stations, including the whole area of fly ash management; from identification to implementation of  full scale environmental impact assessments;

-          market and marketing studies; socio-economic surveys; master planning;

-          project design and implementation; we can prepare projects for total fly ash utilization with a balanced application of small and large scale alternative utilization methods (through for example multi-criteria analyses);

-          through integral project management, we can provide the full range of required activities, but are also available to advice on specific issues.

Pumps for transport of fly ash

ICCT member GEHO Pumps has developed a technology that converts dry fly ash ashes, possibly together with other coal combustion residues, into a High Density Slurry (HDS) and transports hydro-mechanically to (remote) disposal sites to be used for landfill, building ground or land reclamation for other purposes. The HDS can be introduced to the disposal area without any additional machinery or labour.

The installation typically consists of dosing and mixing equipment, agitators, filters, piston diaphragm pumps, pipeline and their instrumentation and controls. Compared to transportation by trucks, conveyor belts, etc., the HDS transportation and disposal system generally reduces the capital investment required and shows even drastically lower operating cost.

The advantages can be summarised as follows:

·         As the pump system can handle various moisture contents and large distances, planning for certain fly ash functions is more flexible;

·         Environmental benefit with respect to water and groundwater  pollution and wind blown dust;

·         Operational benefit because of the flexibility of the system;

·         Financial benefit as the pump system is designed to operate for 25-30 years at lower energy consumption relative to conventional systems.

More information on the application and advantages of GEHO pumps can be obtained from GEHO.

5.4       Advice on financing opportunities

Financing of projects generally depends on investments by beneficiaries, project development companies, financial institutions, etc.. However, in order to initiate or to accelerate certain developments or technologies subsidies may be available. Subsidies or other financial opportunities are available on a bilateral basis or on multilateral basis through multi-lateral financial institutions.

Subsidies can be requested for specific activities during the project cycle. Distinction should be made between pre-investment phase, investment phase and the operation phase. This section provides a summary of the various possibilities. However, it should be emphasised that the potential for additional funding very much depends on the specific case. 

Table 6.           Overview of funding potential with respect to CCT implementation