Exploring Petcoke Fly Ash Characteristics for Wider Application as Cement-Based Composites

As country’s demand for petroleum coke in power plants is increasing drastically as a substitute for coal due to its high carbon content and easy availability, it results in large generation of petcoke combustion byproducts. Reducing the potential leachability of possible heavy metals from these byproducts is a crucial issue for its safe disposal and proper utilization. In this study, Petcoke Fly Ash (PCFA) and Bed Ash (BA) were characterized for mineralogical, morphological, metal analysis using analytical technique like XRD, SEM, HR-TEM, WD-XRF, FTIR, AAS and leachability studies using TCLP. Results showed mean particle size of PCFA is 18.015 µm and BA is 41.165 µm, leachable concentration of Vanadium, Nickel, Chromium, Manganese, Aluminium, Barium and other heavy metals in both ashes, XRD shows presence of CaSO4, V2O5 and CaO, SEM and HR-TEM micrographs confirm that PCFA and BA have porous morphology with varying size and irregular particles with interplanar spacing of 0.35 nm and 0.32 nm respectively. Results also confirmed the resemblance of PCFA with PPC in terms of fineness (PCFA=2960 m2/g and PPC≥3000 m2/g, consistency (PCFA 36–45% and PPC 25–35%). The study concluded that based on textural, compositional and mechanical properties, PCFA and BA have potential as an alternative raw material in cement concrete for application in development of low cost, green construction materials.