A review on fly ash utilization

The coal-fired power plant produces a by-product called as fly ash. Large quantity of fly ash is generated throughout the world and storage as well as disposal of this menace is a serious ecological problem. Presently, ash dams or similar dumps are used to store majority of unused fly ash. Over the past two decades many researchers worked on effective utilization of fly ash in various sectors that reduced environmental burden and increased the economic benefit. Present review begins with physicochemical properties and production fly ash. Later it concentrates on its utilization in various fields like construction sector, composites and production of geo polymers. Also more emphasis is given to its utilization in thermal spray coatings. Thermal spray coatings are widely used to protect the components against wear and corrosion. The cost of the feedstock powders is the critical factor in thermal spray coatings as it majorly contributes for overall coating cost. Also it is noticed that there is significant possibilities for the utilization of fly ash in surface engineering.