Fly ash is a coal combustion residue. Using fly ash to make building products has several beneficial impacts on the environment, some of which include: saving energy, reducing solid waste disposal, reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas, and mitigating global warming. In addition, the design’s flexibility and adaptability lend itself to a broad range of such applications as bricks, building blocks, tiles, pavers, and decorative products such as the fish that is shown in the accompanying photo.
“It is unfortunate that many nations in the world rely on coal for energy,” said the team behind the design.
Burning coal not only causes air pollution and global warming but also generates huge quantity of solid wastes (combustion byproducts), mainly flyash.
“At present, less than 50% of fly ash in the world is used; the bulk of fly ash generated, many hundred million tons a year, is disposed of in slurry ponds or reservoirs, causing environmental problems. Therefore, most nations encourage increased use of fly ash.”
The process is unique, not only because it uses only fly ash without any other solids, such as cement, lime, or sand, but also because the fly ash products made are freeze-thaw resistant, which is necessary for any building product used in regions where freezing occurs in winter.
Furthermore, the process does not require firing of products in kilns or high-temperature treatment in autoclaves, thereby saving much energy and reducing greenhouse gas in manufacturing. Research sponsored by U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) also found that the fly ash products are highly environmentally friendly and safe to use.
“The products also slowly absorb CO2 from air and convert it into limestone, thereby reducing CO2 in the atmosphere and helping to combat global warming.”
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