Modern Farming: Fertilizing Plants with Synthetic Gypsum

Gypsum based fertilizer has top levels of calcium and sulfur, and is the world’s oldest and commonly used non-nitrogen-based fertilizers.

The nutrients that plants need in order to grow are the same nutrients that industry experts assert can be derived from the gypsum byproduct produced from coal-fired power stations. Gypsum has proven to have a wide variety of uses including being used to make drywall, cement filler, plaster of Paris, and even as a means of thickening tofu.

Gypsum can be found naturally all over the world in massive deposits, in places like the U.S., China and Iran. However, mining isn’t always practical, or economically viable. Densely populated countries like India, Vietnam, and China have been using the method of flue-gas desulfurization for years to remove sulfur dioxide and create what is commonly known as FGD gypsum. This gypsum is considered synthetic, but is almost identical to the material being mined throughout the world.  

Mined Gypsum and FGD Gypsum particles alike are consistent in their small size and ability to react in chemical and non-chemical reactions. Power stations that have not found a use for the byproducts created through the burning of coal such as fly ash, bottom ash, gypsum and more, are regrettably land-filled, costing companies money, time and energy to maintain these sites, and wasting land that could be put to better use.

FGD Gypsum has been determined safe for agricultural use through many studies, confirmed worldwide. The next step in this process is adaptation.  Join us at Coal Ash Asia 2019, August 22-24, in Youyu County, Shanxi Province, China, to discuss utilization and applications for FGD Gypsum and other highly useful byproducts from coal-fired power stations.

To learn more click below:

Announcement: Coal Ash Asia 2019 Confirmed!


It is with great excitement that we announce the dates of Coal Ash Asia 2019!

This year’s prestigious coal ash industry conference will take place August 22-24, 2019, in Youyu, Shanxi Province, China. Once again the amazing support from the Shuozhou Government and the Institute for Technical Information for the Building Materials Industry in Beijing, have made it possible to invite international participation, research, and technology to CAA2019. Attendees have access to three days of oral presentations, trade exhibition, poster exhibition, as well as off site tours that include unique access to local coal ash utilization projects, and local cultural sites and scenic tours.

Included in the international attendee package is all domestic transportation, meals from the evening of August 21st to the afternoon of August 25th, access to all conference components listed above, a copy of conference materials including the official CAA2019 handbook, and follow up services provided by AsianCAA and their sponsors.

Check out this year’s tracks:

Coal Ash Processing and High Value Utilization
·       Grinding, Classifying and Superfine grinding
·       Cement, Concrete, Wall Materials and Geopolymer
·       High Value Utilizations: Ceramics, Cenospheres, Fillers
·       Sulphoaluminate cement CalciumSulphoAluminate

FGD Gypsum Utilization
·       Gypsum drying and Calcination
·       Construction Applications: gypsum block, board, mortar
·       Agricultural applications
·       High Strength Gypsum, etc

Coal Gangue and Coal Chemical Residue
·       Processing and Utilization

Metal Extraction
·       Alumina and other metal extraction best practices and methods
 
As with every year, there will be multiple networking opportunities. AsianCAA will have a Business/Academic Matching Sponsor dedicated to helping our attendees get in touch with other industry professionals and facilitate introductions/ translation. Cocktail hours, and tea breaks in the exhibition hall allow for a natural meeting place for industry professionals.

We are now accepting applications for international speakers, sponsors and exhibitors.

To find out more about:

Speaking Position:  /postersandpapers

Sponsorship Opportunities:  


Exhibitor Information:  /exhibitors

Register Now!  /caa-registration

Looking forward to welcoming you at Coal Ash Asia 2019!

Research Highlight: Northeastern University School of Metallurgy

Shenyang City, China

Northeastern University is a public university in Shenyang, Liaoning Province with strengths in engineering and architecture. It is known for its prominent role in the information technology industry. Professor Shi Peiyang and the team from Northwestern University’s School of Metallurgy joined over 700 industry leaders at last year’s Coal Ash Asia conference and exhibition. Asian Coal Ash Association and the Institute for Technical Information for the Building Materials Industry hosted the annual event in Shuozhou City, China, last September. Below is an abstract from Prof. Shi Peiyang focusing on reducing air pollution from coal-fired power stations. Click below the abstract to discover more of his research.

The Key Technologies for Cleaning and Recycling Utilization of Desulfurized Flue Gas By-products

Abstract: Desulfurization ash is one of the by-products of dry lime flue gas desulphurization of sintering process in steel company. The utilization of the desulfurization ash is a challenge since it contains calcium sulfite, chloride-bearing phases and carbon. With rapid development of steel industry and more stringent requirement of environment supervision, reasonable treatment of desulphurized ash has become a key problem for the sustainable development of dry lime flue gas desulfurization. Therefore, realizing the comprehensive utilization of desulphurization ash plays an important role in promoting the dry flue gas desulphurization technology, and has important practical significance for the governance of haze problem. In this work, the desulfurization ash was used as a raw material for the preparation of calcium sulfate whisker via hydrothermal method. The effects of process parameters on the growth behavior of calcium sulfate whiskers were experimentally investigated, and the dissolution behavior of calcium sulfate in aqueous solution was studied. The molecular dynamics method was applied to simulate the growth habit of calcium sulfate crystal. Based on this, the modification mechanism of calcium sulfate whisker was deeply analyzed. Furthermore, the effects of the calcium sulfate whiskers before and after modification on the performance of rubber, asphalt and ceramic for centrifugal pump was characterized.

Utilisation Trends: Coal Ash in Việt Nam

- Việt Nam

The Department of Industrial Safety and Environment at the Ministry of Industry and Trade is currently addressing the country’s need to maximize the use of coal fly ash from local coal fired power stations. Deputy Director, Phạm Trọng Thực confirms that the two main issues of last year were the production of fly ash from thermal power plants and chemical fertilizer plants. 

Vietnamese power stations produce about thirteen million tonnes of fly ash and plaster per year, 65% of which comes from power generators in the north.  At the moment, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT), only 38.9% is being used as a raw material. The primary product utilizing coal fly ash in Viet Nam is gypsum boarding, used in civil construction.

The progressive policies for using coal ash from power plants and fertilizer plants to manufacture building material products have been enacted since 2014 nation wide. The goal of these initiatives was to help solve the big issue of disposal, and aid construction costs by offering a cheap alternative to sand and other filler aggregates.

VINACHEM (Việt Nam Chemical Group) is a good example of a company taking full advantage of these environmental regulations aimed at reducing landfilling of coal fly ash.  Cooperating with a local gypsum company, the group is able to produce 750,000 tonnes of cement per year, using coal ash as its base additive. The group has also recently expanded, building another cement plant that aims to produce 600,000 tonnes per year, with the same coal ash additive.

However, delay in industry adaptation has been linked to concerns with the problems associated with the use coal fly ash in construction materials. Taxing, as well as proper handling and utilization practices are among top concerns of manufacturers and legislators. MOIT has executed their newest initiative for safe handling and sourcing by reducing the importation of gypsum, as well as monitoring the exploitation of natural gypsum in the country. The MOIT will continue to work with the Việt Nam Chemical Group and other organizations like it to develop quality assurance criteria for construction projects and production of materials used in construction.

CoalTrans India 2019: AsianCAA to Discuss India’s Utilization Policies

Delhi, India

The annual Coaltrans India event will take place this February 18-20, at the Taj Palace Hotel in New Delhi, India.  Coaltrans events are very well established in the region, with 18 years of proceedings with an annual attendance of approximately six hundred international industry professionals.

The coal industry in India has changed drastically in the past few years, which makes this conference key in bringing decision makers together to discuss changes and strategies. India has transformed from a net exporter to importer, changing the way business is done, and who controls the flow of resources. Demand for coal-fired power increases every year, making electricity increasingly expensive to consumers. The government is very supportive of import initiatives, however there is still considerable demand to be satisfied by outside sources. The largest contributors to India coal are Indonesia and the US (Click below to read about Indonesian coal trends from our last blog post). India entering the import business of coal will be a big topic at this year’s event.

Mr. David Harris, Chairman of the AsianCAA and industry leader with over 20 years experience in developing green technology, new materials and supply chain service companies will be in attendance alongside other members of the AsianCAA. The Association plans to be a meaningful contributor throughout Coaltrans proceedings.  Mr. Harris will lead a talk and presentation regarding the logistics of import/export as well as new and interesting technologies surrounding processing and handling. This will be AsianCAA’s 4th visit to a Coaltrans event.



Securing Resources in Indonesia: Demand for Coal to Double by 2023

- South Sumatra, Indonesia

The growing need for power generation in Indonesia has PLN, an Indonesian government-owned corporation that has a monopoly on electricity distribution in Indonesia, vying to secure coal mines across the country. The 5 mines being considered will help support 40% of what is needed for the next 4 years, of PLN’s projected supply needs.

PLN (Perusahaan Listrik Negara) generates the majority of the country's electrical power, producing 176.4 TWh in 2015 alone. Last year, Indonesia’s power grid used up approximately 95 million tons of coal.

The projections according to Sofyan Basir, the President Director of PLN, is that the demand for coal will rise to 180 million tons per annum by 2023.

The mines currently being targeted for acquisition are in Southern part of Sumatra and Kalimantan, respectively. PLN is not disclosing how much the mines will cost all together, but that the two of the five mines they are looking to purchase, are being targeted for this year.

Due to controlled prices and abundant resources of coal in the region, PLN plans to increase its use of coal for power generation by over 8% (currently 50%, aiming at around 58.5%).

The buying of mines seems to be coming at a time where PLN is aiming to position themselves firmly as the lead energy providers for Indonesia. Currently, the mines owned by PLN contribute only 10% of the coal used in their coal fired power stations every year.

Basir asserts that the company is not concerned with whether there is a local power station near the coal supplies, as long as there is access, and reserves of minimum 100 million tons, the company is dedicated to building power stations wherever these supplies exist.

Ensuring coal supplies is crucial for the company and by extension the government that overseas operations. Heightened demand for supplies and limited access to resources could spell higher electricity prices for consumers. Current president Joko “Jokowi “ Widodo’s policies are in line with keeping electricity prices low, and keeping local coal local. The policy calls for keeping 25% of coal produced in Indonesia in the local market, with the price being capped at $70 per ton.

Only time will tell what this increase of coal utilisation in the Indonesian market will do for connected industries in coal ash utilisation. Indonesia’s landfilling and utilisation policies will have to adjust to make way for this massive increase in the use of coal.

Coal Ash Asia Handbook 2018

- Shuozhou City, Shanxi Province, China

The Asian Coal Ash Association proudly welcomes its members and following industry leaders to view our 2018 Coal Ash Asia Handbook. Coal Ash Asia is China’s premier coal ash handling, processing and utilization information exchange forum. China’s role in the coal ash industry is crucial, as it maintains the top spot for most coal consumed by a populous per year. We hosted our international event in Shuozhou City, China, and welcomed top researchers and commercial enterprises to share and explore leading research and technology. Our tracks included:

  1. Coal Ash Processing and High Value Utilization

  • Grinding, Classifying and Superfine grinding

  • Cement, Concrete, Wall Materials and Geopolymer

  • High Value Utilizations: Ceramics, Cenospheres, Fillers

  • Sulphoaluminate cement CalciumSulphoAluminate

      2. FGD Gypsum Utilization

  • Gypsum drying and Calcination

  • Construction Applications: gypsum block, board, mortar

  • Agricultural applications

  • High Strength Gypsum, etc

     3. Coal Gangue and Coal Chemical Residue

  • Processing and Utilization

     4. Metal Extraction

  • Alumina and other metal extraction best practices and methods

Please click below to download our 2018 Coal Ash Asia Handbook, with research from China’s top researchers in coal ash.

Want to join us in 2019? Register by clicking below!