Zeolite Production from Fly Ashes of the Martín Corral Thermoelectric

Abstract

Fly ashes are the mineral residues derived from coal combustion in thermoelectric plants. They are composed of a silica and aluminum reactive matrix that turns the ashes into raw material to elaborate zeolites. Zeolite synthesis is carried out in alkaline media where the structure of the fly ash compounds is reorganized based on the hydrothermal conditions (temperature pressure, pH, time) to spark the growth of crystals whose final product is the zeolitic material. In this study, the production of type A zeolites from fly ashes is explored. This raw material was characterized by doing XRD, TGA and BET tests on the surface area; similarly, the effect of washing on the fly ash properties was evaluated; once this stage was finished, a simple experimental setup for zeolite synthesis was used to establish the minimum temperature (90°), pH (10) and reaction time (<3 HOURS). Finally, the obtained material was subject to XRD and textural analysis.