Delta Ducon's Solutions for Coal Fly Ash Handling

The management of coal fly ash, a byproduct of power generation, presents both persistent challenges and exciting opportunities for specialized handling systems. Across the US, significant volumes of legacy coal ash remain stored in impoundments, and new regulations are driving the closure or retrofitting of these storage facilities. Delta Ducon offers a range of solutions to address these challenges and help the power generation industry handle coal fly ash safely and efficiently.

Challenges of Coal Fly Ash Handling

• Large Volumes: Power plants generate substantial quantities of fly ash, requiring robust systems for continuous removal and storage.

• Abrasive Nature: Fly ash is highly abrasive, causing significant wear and tear on handling equipment.

• Dust Generation: The fine particle size of fly ash leads to dust emissions, posing environmental and health risks.

• Legacy Impoundments: The need to close or retrofit existing ash impoundments presents unique challenges for material removal and relocation.

  
  

Opportunities for Beneficial Use

Despite these challenges, coal fly ash is a valuable resource with various beneficial applications, including:

• Cement Production: Fly ash can be used as a supplementary cementitious material (SCM) in concrete, enhancing its strength, durability, and workability.

• Construction Materials: Fly ash can be used in the production of wallboard, roofing shingles, and other building materials.

• Soil Stabilization: Fly ash can be used to improve soil properties for various construction and environmental applications.

  
  

Delta Ducon's Solutions

Delta Ducon provides a comprehensive range of material handling solutions designed to address the specific challenges and opportunities associated with coal fly ash:

• Pneumatic Conveying Systems: Delta Ducon's pneumatic conveying systems offer a clean, efficient, and reliable method for transporting fly ash, minimizing dust emissions and material loss. Both dilute and dense phase systems can be utilized, depending on the specific application requirements.

• Rotary Valves: Delta Ducon's rotary valves provide accurate metering and feeding of fly ash into conveying systems, ensuring efficient material flow.

• Abrasion-Resistant Piping: Delta Ducon’s PERMA/flo piping is specifically designed to withstand the abrasive nature of fly ash, minimizing wear and tear on the system and ensuring long-term reliability.

• System Design and Engineering: Delta Ducon's experienced engineers can design customized handling systems for both new installations and the removal of ash from legacy impoundments, ensuring efficient and safe operation.

  
  

By offering these specialized solutions, Delta Ducon helps the power generation industry overcome the challenges of coal fly ash management and capitalize on its potential for beneficial use, promoting a more sustainable and environmentally responsible approach.