Dust to Dollars: Big Benefits of Effective Ash Handling

Key industries like construction and concrete are preparing for increased demand due to ongoing infrastructure projects and urbanization. To capitalize on these opportunities and seize a revenue windfall, operations need to prepare to handle higher output.

Due to the upswing in demand for concrete in particular, the ash market is set to cash in.

As an ingredient that can form cement, strengthen concrete and be used in road construction, ash is expected to see more than a 5% CAGR over the next eight years, reaching a market value of $12.4 billion by 2032. Some estimates double that to nearly $24 billion at a 7% CAGR in the same timeframe.

In short, there are big dollars involved for facilities that are ready to haul ash.

The Challenges and Importance of Bulk Ash Conveying

More than a billion tons of fly and bottom ash – both byproducts of coal burned at power plants – is produced annually, and operations face the challenges of not only effectively moving the material in bulk but also maintaining strict EPA compliance.

Both fly ash (the fine particles carried up the smokestack and collected by precipitators) and bottom ash (the heavier particles that settle at the bottom of the boiler) are difficult to transfer. This is especially true when they’re hot and dry, as they can easily blow away as fugitive dust.

In facilities, the accumulation of ash can leave a dusty mess that threatens staff and equipment, which is why a durable, enclosed conveying system is so critical. Furthermore, the brittle ash can affect air quality, which is why EPA regulations are in place for proper disposal.

Because of this, careful and efficient material transfer is necessary through several processing stages (and possibly multiple facilities) – and only the right conveying systems can accomplish this.

Conveyors Play the Lead Role in Ash Transfer and Remediation

Thomas Adams, Executive Director of the American Coal Ash Association noted to S&P Global that the demand for fly ash “is well ahead of supply.” So, when the ash is taken from coal furnaces, what happens?

Typically, millions of tons of ash are either stored at the coal plants, sent to designated landfills, or repurposed for use in several potential applications:

Portland cement

Road base stabilizers

Tile grout and bricks

Asphalt filler

Environmental reclamation

And much more

This repurposing requires processing at other facilities that need the same reliable, abrasion-resistant systems that first conveyed the ash out of the coal plant.

The more ash that can be moved, the greater the revenue. That means power generation and recycling facilities cannot afford unplanned downtime from older or misapplied conveying equipment.

This is why facilities need durable drag chain, belt and screw conveyors and bucket elevators that stand up to the challenges of hot, abrasive material like fly and bottom ash, while also managing dust control and maintaining EPA compliance.

CDM Systems achieves this with three principles for each custom-built conveyor:

1. Apply material and environmental data before construction.
2. Match internal components with the application and material being handled.
3. Engineer the system for durability and resist fatigue, corrosion, and wear.

CDM Systems Belt Conveyors

• Designed with your specs for multidirectional conveying
• Conventional troughed systems with idler rollers
• Enclosed configuration for dust control
• Rugged, reliable components
• Built for high volume capacities

CDM Systems Screw Conveyors

• Fully enclosed, single or multi-screw configurations
• Durable construction
• Efficient transfer of a wide range of materials
• Multiple inlet and discharge points
• Cost-effective bulk material handling system

Conveyors are one of the most important pieces of equipment in ash handling.

But installing the right system to meet the facility’s material handling requirements – backed by experienced industry pros – is the hot ticket to a healthy bottom line.

Learn more about the CDM manufacturing process here.

Visit this page for CDM’s conveying systems brochure, including tech specs and material and design information.

About CDM

The CDM story is about understanding that every industrial operation is different — as are their conveying challenges. A custom-engineered conveying system is a cost-effective approach to any operation willing to have a partner who is vested in your success and one who stands by their product.

CDM has earned more than 91 percent repeat business because we’re more than just a conveying systems manufacturer — we’re a business partner.

For additional information contact:

Andrew Parker, President CDM Systems, Inc.

Andrew@cdmsys.com  • cdmsys.com