Authors : S. Mane, S.U.Meshram*
Page Nos : 781-789
Description :
The Chemical Composition of coal ash depends largely on quality of coal. The chief constituents of such ash are oxides of silicon, aluminum and iron with trace metals. Although the literature review reveals the usage of coal ash towards the high conversion of Zeolitic phases having wide applications in detergent, petrochemical and catalyst area; the concept of composite ash is quite fascinating. This includes the mixture of coal and rice husk in proper stoichiometry introduced in electric utility generating stations which produces nearly 30 to 40 % ash with low emission of CO2. Molecular sieves or Zeolites on the contrary; are the hydrated nano materials having crossed linked network of silicon and aluminum ions bridged by oxygen linkages having uniform pore opening with high surface area. Since 85-90% composition of ash is oxides of silicon and aluminum hence it can be used as tailor made material for the production of Zeolites or molecular sieves.
The current paper deals with the attempts made in the direction for the extraction of amorphous silica from the ash in the form of sodium silicate and enriched with sodium aluminate prepared separately to produce a value added product Viz; Molecular sieve 4A commonly known as Zeolite-A. The crystalline Zeolitic phases in the samples were investigated using XRD, SEM and IR. A special emphasis has been given to optimize the reaction parameters in such a way that it would turns in to cost effective technology.
