ABSTRACT
Fly ash (FA), a residual substance produced from the combustion of coal, has undergone a thorough examination of its ecological consequences and possible utilization in several applications. In recent times, bio-coal, which is produced from biomass, has become a viable substitute for conventional coal, resulting in the production of FA derived from bio-coal. The objective of this study is to analyze and contrast the characteristics of FA derived from bio-coal with those of FA derived from regular coal. The chemical composition, morphological characteristics, and mineralogical phases of FA samples were analyzed using a range of analytical techniques, such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and particle size distribution (PSD). The morphological investigation identified a porous structure in bio-coal FA, which could potentially improve its effectiveness in adsorption and soil amendment. In addition, this chapter investigated the degradation characteristics of heavy metals, finding that bio-coal FA had lesser leachability compared to coal FA. This indicates a decreased environmental hazard. The findings emphasize the potential of using bio-coal-based FA as a sustainable substitute for different industrial purposes. This promotes the utilization of waste and decreases the environmental impact of burning coal.
