Crystal Growth on Cenospheres from High-Calcium Fly Ash

This work presents a study of cenosphere separation from lignite high-calcium (similar to 24 wt.%) fly ash by centrifugal method; this is the first report for Mae Moh, Thailand, fly ash with this high calcium content using this technique. The effect of centrifugal parameters on cenosphere yield and properties were investigated. Those properties include physical properties, morphology, chemical composition, and mineral phases. The recovery yields are in the range of 0.34-0.64%, approximately one third of the yield obtained from the general gravity settling method. Density, particle size, and morphology of the collected cenospheres appeared to be independent of sequence of the applied speeds and times. Interrelation of chemical composition and mineral phases was established, with the focus on calcium carbonate formation on cenosphere surface and crystallite size study. The study has revealed the preferential formation of calcite-(104) peak is observed-by cenospheres, with stable growth behavior of crystallite sizes obtained from all the centrifugal conditions. The result was compared to that obtained from the sink-float method for a better insight. The influence and limitation of the centrifugal method, the varied parameters, and the relevant reaction pathways on crystal growth process in terms of important dissolving species (i.e., Ca2+ and CO32-) behavior in the ash suspension were discussed.

Automated summary

This study presents a successful cenosphere separation from high-calcium lignite fly ash using the centrifugal method for the first time, investigating the effects of centrifugal parameters on cenosphere yield and properties, and establishing the relationship between chemical composition and mineral phases. The preferential formation of calcite by cenospheres and stable growth behavior of crystallite sizes under different centrifugal conditions were highlighted through comparison with results obtained from the sink-float method. The study also discussed the influence and limitation of the centrifugal method, varied parameters, and relevant reaction pathways on crystal growth process.