International Experience in the Field of Handling Ash and Slag from Thermal Power Plants

The Government of the Russian Federation has approved a Comprehensive Plan to Increase the Volume of Recycling of Ash and Slag Waste of Hazard Class V, aimed at achieving the target indicator: increasing the share of useful utilized ash and slag from thermal power plants and boiler houses to reach 50% of the annual volume of their formation by 2035. Global achievements are considered using examples of advanced experience from China, India, and EU member countries that have achieved significant results in the field of ash and slag disposal from thermal power plants. The main areas of application of dry ash in Russia are presented, and information on the products of processing of ash and slag from the energy sector is also provided. An analysis of current information related to the use of ash and slag from thermal power plants and the activities of various organizations in these countries aimed at achieving a 100% level of ash and slag utilization was carried out. Increased emphasis is being placed on the requirements of the regulations issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change to achieve 100% utilization of fly ash in India. The important role of coal generation is confirmed by data on the distribution of energy sources in the structure of world consumption and the volumes of electricity generation at coal-fired power plants in China, India, EU member countries, and Russia. Statistics on the volumes of formation and use of ash and slag from thermal power plants in the above-mentioned countries are provided. The experience of EU countries in legislative regulation in the field of handling ash and slag from the energy sector is considered based on the European Union Regulation on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), which came into force in 2007. Particular attention is paid to the necessity and expediency of increasing utilization level of coal combustion products at thermal power plants in Russia.