Thermal Power Plants and Management of Fly Ash.

Thermal Power Plants and Management of Fly Ash

(Environmental Laws)

An overview of Thermal Power Plants and Management of Fly Ash as per Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) notifications and guidelines:

🔥 Thermal Power Plants (TPPs) and Fly Ash: An Overview

What is Fly Ash?

Fly ash is a fine particulate byproduct generated from the combustion of pulverized coal in thermal power plants. It is captured by pollution control devices like electrostatic precipitators (ESPs) or bag filters before the flue gases are released into the atmosphere.

Composition:

• Silica (SiO₂)
• Alumina (Al₂O₃)
• Iron oxide (Fe₂O₃)
• Calcium oxide (CaO)
• Unburnt carbon

📜 MoEFCC Notifications and Guidelines on Fly Ash

The MoEFCC has issued several notifications to regulate and promote the safe and productive use of fly ash, primarily under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

🔄 Key Notifications Timeline:

1. First Notification – 14th September 1999

• Mandated the use of fly ash in building materials and construction within a 100 km radius of coal-based TPPs.
• Developers and construction agencies required to use fly ash bricks, blocks, tiles, etc.

2. Amendments in 2003 & 2009

• Extended the radius to 300 km from TPPs.
• Enhanced the use of fly ash in construction projects, embankments, and roads.

3. Latest Major Notification – 31st December 2021

Key highlights:

• 100% Utilization Target: All coal/lignite-based thermal power plants must achieve 100% fly ash utilization.
• Time-bound targets for unutilized legacy ash (ash ponds).
• TPPs must register on the Ash Track Portal (developed by MoEFCC and CPCB).
• Prohibition of disposal in low-lying areas, except as per specific conditions.
• Revenue model: Fly ash to be made available free or at a nominal cost to end-users.
• Annual reporting to CPCB and MoEFCC on generation, utilization, and mode of disposal.

⚙️ Fly Ash Management Strategies

1. Dry and Wet Disposal Systems
   • Dry fly ash: Collected and stored in silos for direct utilization.
   • Wet fly ash: Mixed with water and transported to ash ponds.
2. Utilization Methods
   • Cement industry (Pozzolana cement)
   • Bricks, blocks, and tiles
   • Mine filling and backfilling
   • Road and embankment construction
   • Agriculture (with proper precautions)
3. Ash Ponds Reclamation
   • MoEFCC mandates action plans for progressive utilization and scientific closure of ash ponds.

📊 Monitoring and Compliance

• Online portals like Ash Track and PARIVESH track utilization and ensure transparency.
• Annual Environmental Statement (Form V) to be submitted by TPPs.
• Non-compliance can lead to environmental compensation charges and legal action under the EPA.

🚧 Challenges in Fly Ash Management

• Lack of market demand in some regions
• Transport cost for fly ash users far from TPPs
• Storage and handling issues
• Legacy ash disposal

✅ Recommendations for Better Fly Ash Management

1. Incentivize industries for fly ash usage.
2. Develop fly ash-based rural infrastructure.
3. Improve logistics and transport subsidies.
4. Promote R&D in fly ash applications.
5. Strengthen regulatory monitoring and enforcement.

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