Investigators: Sanjay Kumar and Prof. Gurdeep Singh(1994-97)

Title	Objective(s)	Methodology	Conclusion/ Contribution made	Benefits
Characterisation and leaching studies of coal fly ash and bottom ash from chandrapura thermal power station of Damodar Valley Corporation Bihar (India)	1. To determine the engineering properties of fly ash and bottom ash so that this can be used as bulk material in an engineered way. 2. To determine the environmental (chemical and leaching) properties of fly ash and bottom ash with respect to trace/toxic elements. 3. To envisage viability of fly ash and bottom ash with reference to environmental properties in high volume utilisation	1. Standard sampling and analysis procedures followed for engineering properties of FA and BA for particle size moisture content, proctor Test, Alterberg limits, falling head permeability. Shear-test, sp. Gravity etc. 2. Chemical and leachate analysis of FA and BA done through wet assay and open column percolation leachate column studies and poentiometeric and elemental analysis of leachates by water quality kit and AAS. 3. Actual leachates collected from ash ponds from similar analysis and comparison with lab. Results.	1. Fly ash was found to posses better physical properties than of bottom ash and can be engineered to improve the soil properties 2. Leaching studies generally indicate FA and BA as environmentally benign materials with no significant leaching observed with respect to trace elements over a period of 274 days.	FA and BA from CTPS were found to be environmentally benign materials and can be used as back fill material for mined out land reclamation A log-term study to evaluate the leaching patern of trace elements from various Thermal power plants is in progress to demonstrate the highly vol. Utilisation of fly ash in mine reclamation.