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Welcome to the American Coal Ash Association's Website
The ACAA was established more than 40 years ago, in 1968, as a trade organization devoted to recycling the materials created when we burn coal to produce electricity. Our members comprise the world's foremost experts on coal ash (fly ash and bottom ash), and boiler slag, flue gas desulfurization gypsum or "synthetic" gypsum, and other "FGD" materials captured by emissions controls. While other organizations focus on disposal issues, ACAA's mission is
to advance the management and use of coal combustion products
in ways that are:
- Environmentally responsible
- Technically sound
- Commerically competitive
- Supportive of a sustainable global community
We achieve our mission by hosting workshops, symposia and other industry gatherings to promote understanding and facilitate connections; we publish a biannual magazine, ASH at Work, and an exclusive member newsletter, The Phoenix, and post website updates to keep members and stakeholders engaged in ongoing developments; we archive research reports and industry documents going back 40 years; and we offer expertise in support of recycling coal ash, boiler slag and FGD materials. Every two years we co-host the industry's most prominent event, "The World of Coal Ash," with participants from nearly 30 countries.
Coal Combustion "Products"
Emphasizing the Commercial Value
of Recycling Industrial Materials
The materials created by coal-fueled electricity generation are recognized internationally as "products," e.g. "coal combustion products." The term "products" was coined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to emphasize the commercial value of recycling industrial materials, including tire scraps, foundary sands and slags, iron and steel slag, pulp and paper, and constuction and demolition materials. The EPA's Resource Conservation Challenge and the Industrial Resources Council are excellent sources of information on industrial recycling.
The EPA has set national priorities to increase what the agency terms "beneficial use." In 2007, the United States produced more than 130 million tons of coal combustion products. While 43 percent were used beneficially, nearly 75 million tons were disposed of. The ACAA collects and analyzes these numbers every year and releases the data in its CCP Production & Use Reports.
Fly Ash:
The Coal Combustion Product in Highest Demand
Fly ash is the coal combustion product recycled most, primarily in concrete to enhance its strength and resistance to the elements. Last year the U.S. produced about 70 million tons of this material and nearly 45 percent was recycled. The chemical make-up of fly ash is nearly identical to volcanic ash. The Roman Empire used volcanic ash to create concrete for structures we admire today.Concrete made with fly ash extends the life of construction projects by decades, minimizing the need for and environmental impacts of rebuilding. Plus, long-lasting infrastructure saves taxpayers. Fly ash ;requires no kilning,thus produces no carbon dioxide nor other emissions, unless blended with traditional materials. In addition, fly ash concrete uses dramatically less water. Some projects have completely replaced traditional materials with fly ash to cement aggregates to produce concrete. Fly ash comes in two classes:"Class C" and "Class F"; Class C is self-cementing and can be mixed on the project site. In most cases fly ash is not only less expensive, but technically superior as long as those involved are well informed. Builders, engineers, architects, scientists and others are continually developing and perfecting product specifications. The American Coal Ash Association serves a critical role keeping industry apprised and engaged.
To learn more, please explore our website and/or contact us for further details.
Resources
Recycling coal ash, boiler slag and FGD materials in highway construction
promotes sustainability. Two recent projects of note are the re-built
Interstate 35 West Bridge near Minneapolis and Oakland-Bay Bridge.
Fly ash concrete is preferred for its superior strength and durability...
as well as for significantly reducing a project's carbon footprint,
while conserving water, virgin materials and land.
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