Construction Materials from Vitrified Lignite Fly Ash in Plasmatron Plasma Reactor

This article presents results of an investigation of vitrified (melted) fly ash samples from lignite (brown coal) in a plasmatron plasma reactor, to determine its mechanical and chemical properties. The XRF elemental analysis results of sample tests, from before the vitrification process and after the vitrification process are shown. The experiments were carried out in a plasma plasmatron reactor with a total power of 65 kW, enabling testing on a quarter technical scale. During the tests, samples of fly ash of about 4 kg mass were processed under selected process conditions. Produced samples of vitrified materials were analyzed in accordance to the requirements for building/construction materials. Results from this investigation confirm its quality to be used as concrete and cement filler, as an addition, and as synthetic aggregate, safe for the environment and neutral for cements. Also the most important leaching of heavy metals to water was analyzed which confirmed meeting of all of requirements necessary to use this material in building materials.