Successful deployments of treatment technologies for substandard coal combustion products (CCP) signal decades of Class F fly ash supplies for North American concrete producers. Such assurance stands regardless of specification-grade ash availability reflecting power generating station coal to natural gas conversions—or the pace of a broader energy sector shift from fossil fuels to alternative sources. With 6 percent to 15…
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Coal ash recycling at record rate, lower concrete market metric aside
The American Coal Ash Association Production and Use Survey, released late last month, pegs 2016 Class F and Class C fly ash consumption in concrete at 14.4 million tons, down 8 percent from the prior year’s record 15.7 million tons. ACAA attributes the dip to regional supply shortages that resulted from power plant shutdowns and generating stations’ changing fuel profiles. Demand for fly ash remained strong across all concrete markets last year, the group affirms, and utilization likely would have been higher absent logistical disruptions.
Read MoreConcrete end uses help propel coal ash recycling to record level
“We are pleased to report that 52 percent of coal combustion products were beneficially used in 2015—up from the previous year’s record of 48 percent. For the first time, we are using more of these valuable resources than we are throwing away,” reports American Coal Ash Association Executive Director Tom Adams, taking stock of the central metric in the group’s latest “Production and Use Survey.”
Read MoreLanguishing 2009-13 coal ash recycling rates reflect regulatory uncertainty
Sources: American Coal Ash Association (ACAA), Farmington Hills, Mich.; CP staff
According to ACAA’s “Production and Use Survey,” 51.4 million tons of coal combustion products (CCP) were beneficially used in 2013 —down from 51.9 million tons in 2012 and well below the 2008 peak of 60.6 million tons. In the closely watched category of fly ash consumed in concrete mixes, utilization increased only slightly to 12.3 million tons, up by 577,705 tons over 2012, but still below 12.6 million tons in 2008.
Read MoreRegulatory uncertainty drives coal ash recycling to fourth straight year of decline
Coal ash recycling in the U.S. was off 4.7 million tons in 2012 against the prior year, according to the American Coal Ash Association (ACAA) “Production and Use Survey” released last month. Ash utilization has stalled after nearly a decade of growth of a practice that conserves energy and natural resources, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and safely keeps ash out of landfills and disposal ponds.
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