The Utilization of Coal Ash as an Induction Agent for the Generation of Methane Gas from Household Waste

Abstract

Currently, demand on power is increasing due to rapid industrial growth all over the world. That means more fly ash will be produced as a result of coal combustion for the purpose of power generation. In the meantime, due to public resistance of nuclear power plants, the amount of coal ash is expected to exceed millions of tons. Therefore, this article presents a new disposal method of coal ash by mixing it with solid and semi-solid garbage in order to increase the amount of methane gas that is usually released from garbage. Since this gas can be burnt again, it can be used to substitute coal in the power generation process. For this purpose, the garbage is mixed with different amounts of fly ash up to a maximum of 10% (weight%) at different temperatures. Results show that there is a considerable increase in the amount of methane gas released by mixing garbage with coal ash. Accordingly, this huge amount of methane gas can be used again through a proper system in the power generating plants so that it will help in reducing both the environmental effect and the power generation cost.

Keywords:

• bioprocess
• environmental protection
• fly ash
• household (garbage)
• induction agent
• methane gas
• temperature

Notes

^aAs analyzed by Omura Power Plant, Nagasaki, Japan.