A mini-review on coal fly ash properties, utilization and synthesis of zeolites

ABSTRACT

Coal fly ash is considered as a by-product of coal combustion power stations that may pertain unique properties and utilization fields. This review article gives an overview of different classification methods with comparative data on the chemical composition of coal and coal fly ash. Furthermore, a review describes in detail the utilization sectors of coal fly ash that expands from environmental application to materials production and possible recovery of precious elements. A particular interest is set on the synthesis of zeolites by applying modern production approaches along with state-of-the-art application fields starting from heavy metal removal to catalysis. It suggests to consider different methods of synthesis of zeolites by highlighting the main drawbacks and advantages.

KEYWORDS:

• Coal fly ash
• synthetic zeolites
• synthesis
• properties
• application

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the internal grant of Nazarbayev University “Noble metals nanocomposites hyper-activity in heterogeneous non-catalytic and catalytic reactions” (HyperMat), SOE2019012, Grant Number 110119FD4536.

Disclosure Statement

The authors have no competing interests to declare.

Additional information

Funding

This research has been funded by the Science Committee of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Grant No. AP08857007).