Question

Fly ash is a pollutant released mostly from
1. Chloro-alkali plants
2. Tanneries
3. Sugar industries
4. Coal-based thermal power plants

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 4 : Coal-based thermal power plants

• Fly ash, also known as "pulverised fuel ash" is a coal combustion product composed of fine particles that are driven out of the boiler with the flue gases in the thermal power plant.
• Fly ash is composed of tiny, airborne particles and is thus considered to be a type of particulate matter or particle pollution.
• Hence, it is concluded that fly ash is the environmental pollutant generated by the Coal-based thermal power plants.

Extra info-

PROBLEMS OF FLYASH-

• Transportation of fly ash is difficult since lightweight particles tend to fly causing air pollution.
• Long inhalation causes serious respiratory problems.
• Affects horticulture, agriculture, and forest fields.
• Disposal in sea, river or ponds damage the aquatic life; flyash causes siltation problems.  
• Long and continuous use of flyash as fertilizer makes the hardpan underground.
• A requirement of huge land for making ash ponds or dikes.

USES OF FLYASH

• Used as a Pozzolan to produce hydraulic cement or hydraulic plaster and a replacement or partial replacement for Portland cement in concrete production.
• Filling of empty mines and landfilling is another promising of disposal of this waste.
• Spreading of flyash in forestry and agricultural lands as a soil stabilizer.