Agropedology, 1999,9,71-76

Physical and chemical properties of Koradi fly ash of Maharastra for

its utilization in agriculture

P.N.Dubey, SP.Sangat, T.KSen, SChatterji, SMurali and VP.Patil

National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning, Amravati Road, Nagpur,
Mahardstra, Nagpur

Abstract
The fly ash collected from Koradi Thermal Power Station, NagpuL Maharashtra was
characterised for its physical, chemical and nutrient capacitv. The particle size
distribution showed wide variation in the <0.25 mm' size fraction. Bulk densitv lies
between 0.85-1.16 g/cm3 . The available waternolding capacity ranges between 40.1 to
55.6%. The organic carbon content lies between 1.9 to 4.5 kg· I . The fly ash is slightly
alkaline in reaction. Cation exchange capacity was 2.8-4.1 cmol(p+) kg· I . The presence
of various elements was in the order of Si > AI >fe > Ca , Ti > Mg > K. The DTPA
extractable micronutrients were in the order of fe>Mn>Zn>Cu where as available N, P,
K show the trend as N>K>P. Physical and cheIllical properties of fly ash are discussed.

Additional keywords: macronutrient, micronutri~nt.

Introduction

Fly ash, an industrial waste pr04uct from coal based power station, is yet
to find its proper application as per its physical and chemical properties. Attempts
are being made for its useful application in many fields including agriculture. Use
of fly ash in agriculture has been reported by many workers in India and abroad
(Chang et af. 1977; Adriano et al. 1980; Ferraiolo et al. 1990; Maiti et al. 1990;
Matte et af. 1995; Lal et al. 1996; Jambagi et al. 1995; and ChatteIjee et al.
1988).

Fly ash being an amorphous ferro-alumino silicate could be a good

amendement for problem soils. Properties of fly ash vary depending on the grade
and quality of coal as well as the tephnology employed in the power station. This
study on physical, chemical and nutritional status of fly ash collected from Koradi
Thermal Power Plant presents its possible utilisation in agriculture.

Materials and methods

Fly ash samples were collected from 8 disposal sites of the Koradi Thermal
Power Station (KTPS), Nagpur, Maharashtra. Samples were processed by air
. drying and sieving to remove the very coarse residues. Physical properties like
moisture content, particle size distribution, water holding capacity and bulk density

Prof. and Head, Dept. of Chemistry, Laxminarayan Institute of Technology, Nagpur

University, NagpuL .
72 P.N. Dubey et at.

were detennined (Piper, 1950). Chemical properties like pH, electrical

conductivity, organic carbon, free lime, cation exchange capacity and exchangeable
cations were also detennined (Black 1965: Jackson 1973). The samples were
digested for elemental composition by fusion with sodium carbonate. The alkali
metals were analysed by wet dIgestion using triple acid mixture, and
hydrofluorization of the silica (Jackson, 1973). The extracts were analysed for
elemental analysis by the Inductively Coupled Plasma Emission Spectrometer
(lCP). Extractable micronutrients (Cu, Fe, Zn and Mn) were also estimated
following the method of Lindsay and Norvell (1978).

Results and discussion

Some physical properties of the fly ash samples are presented in table 1.
Particle size distribution showed narrow variation in their size fraction. The finer
fractions less than 025 mm varied from 54.19 to 62.41%. The moisture content of
the samples is low (0.10-0.32 %) which might be due to low content of organic
matter. Bulk density (B.D.) of the samples ranged from 0.85-1.16 g cm3 . The
slightly higher bulk density in samples 4,5 and 6 could be due to the dominance of
coarse fractions. The bulk densities are slightly less than that of a good average
soil (1.48 g cm3) and hence can be used to improve texture of heavy as well as
light soils. The water holding capacity of the fly ash is fairly good ranging from
40.1 to 55.6 %. Application of the fly ash can improve the physical conditions
specially drainage and porosity of soils having light as well as heavy texture.
Amendment of sandy soils with fly ash has been reported by Aitken et af (1984).

Table 1. Some ~hIsicai ~ro~erties of f1I ash from Koradi Thermal Power Station
Sr. Moisture Particle size distribution Available Bulk
No. content >2mm 2-1 mm 1-0.5 0.5-0.25 <0.25 mm water density
(%) mm mm holding glcm3
[%) capacity
{%~
1. 0.18 1.06 2.04 6.04 31.45 59.41 43.12 0.85

2. 0.11 1.20 1.95 5.90 28.54 62.41 52.69 0.90

3. 0.10 0.98 2.40 6.13 35.01 55.48 40.10 0.95

4. 0.20 1.10 2.36 5.25 37.10 54.19 41.04 1.01

5. 0.22 1.43 2.60 709 29.70 59.18 50.07 1.16

6. 0.25 1.25 1.98 800 31.00 57.77 55.60 1.04

7. 0.32 1.27 2.60 659 30.50 59.04 48.55 0.99

8. 0.20 1.18 2.57 690 28.98 60.37 49.06 LIO

The pH of the fly ash samples ranges from 7.3 to 7.9, indIcating that they
are slightly alkaline in reaction which might be due to the presence of oxides of
alkali metals. The electrical conductivity of the samples lies between 027 to 0.36
dS mol. Results indIcate that the application of the fly ash to soil system will not
Physical aiJ.d chemical properties of Koradi fly ash 73

cause any adverse effect in tenns of soil salinity and sodicity when used for a long
period oftime. The organic carbon (OC) of the fly ash samples is low and it ranges
from 1.9 to 4.5 g kg·]. The low content of OC may be due to the absence of
organic source in the fly ash other than unburnt coal and its complexes. Low
content of OC is also responsible for negligible contribution of soil nitrogen. Free
lime content was also found to be low (0.05 to0.45 %). The cation exchange
capacity (CEC) of the fly ash samples ranges from 2.8 to 4.1 cmol (p+) kg·]. The
exchangeable cations namely, Na, K, Ca and Mg range from 0.23 to 1.01, 0.20 to
0.36, 0.92 to 1.31 and 0.62 to 1.13 cmol (p+) kg·] respectively (Table 2).

Table 2. Ph~sical and chemical ~ro~erties of fl~ ash

Sr. pH E.C. O.C. Free C.E.C. Exchangeable Cations
No. (1:2 lime
Ashlwat- dSm· 1 g kg-I (%) cmol (p+) Na K Ca Mg
er ratio) kg-I -----cmol (p+) kg· 1_ _ _ _
1. 7.5 0.36 3.8 0.20 3.1 0.48 0.30 1.28 0.62
2. 7.4 0.29 3.4 0.19 2.8 0.61 0.35 1.12 0.68
3. 7.9 0.28 2.9 0.26 2.9 0.23 0.20 1.31 0.90
4. 7.6 0.36 4.5 0.05 3.2 0.30 0.28 1.06 0.04
5. 7.8 0.27 3.0 0.12 3.7 0.36 0.28 1.24 1.13
6. 7.5 0.29 2.8 0.18 3.3 0.62 0.35 0.84 1.00
7. 7.3 0.30 1.9 0.21 3.8 0.65 0.34 1.08 1.12
8. 7.5 0.31 2.4 0.45 4.1 1.01 0.36 0.92 1.04

Total chemical composition of fly ash samples are presented in table 3.

The major constituent of the fly ash are found to be silica (SiOz) which ranges
from 60.1 to 68.8 followed by aluminium and iron. Similar composition of fly ash
was also observed by Rajendran et al (1989). Low grade coal generally contains
appreciable amount of quartz and/or glass particles including soil materials which
when burnt give rise to ferro-aluminosilicates with high content of silica,
aluminium and iron. The total iron content varied from 4.3 to 8.7 per cent,
whereas total aluminium ranges between 20.6 to 27.5 per cent showing wide
variation in its content in the fly ash. Total sodium, potassium, calcium,
magnesium and titanium range from 0.38 to 0.66%, 0.31 to 0.65, 0.57 to 1.88,
0.53 to 1.32 and 0.98 to 1.52%, respectively.

Some trace elements like boron, molybdenum, copper, zinc and manganese
are present in small quantity, (Table 3). These elements are present in the range of
165 to 250, 0.76 to 1.2, 40 to 109, 47 to 136 and 100 to 700 ppm, respectively.
Fly ash samples contain fairly high amount of boron and this would be useful in
SOlIs having boron deficiency.
 7~ P.N. Dubey et at.

Table 3. Com~osition of flv ash from Koradi Thermal Power Station

Total Total (ppm)

z'"
..; <i
~
.S
on
~

9.
"
u..
9:
:;;: .
9.
z
9.
~
~
u
0
co
::::
<£
b
CO
0
:;; "
u N " :;;"
rFl

------ -~'-Q... ppm-------

2.48 61.49 4.32 27.52 0.58 0.65 1.18 0.79 0.98 165 1.00 68.0 102.0 610.0

2. 3.11 58.56 8.72 25.55 0.38 0.96 0.98 0.56 1.17 200 1.20 74.0 108.0 700.0

3. 0.85 64.38 4.28 26.98 0.65 0.31 0.57 0.70 1.27 210 0.95 76.0 88.0 500.0

4. 1.51 68.19 5.76 20.64 0.60 0.48 l.01 0.53 1.27 109 0.76 48.0 90.0 300.0

5. 1.47 62.92 5.11 25.21 0.58 0.45 1.88 0.85 1.52 250 o.n 40.0 50.0 200.0

6. 0.80 67.16 6.52 20.80 0.38 0.49 1.25 0.99 1.16 245 0.80 66.0 136.0 100.0

7. 147 63.20 4.28 26.22 0.49 0.60 1.25 1.32 1.17 220 1.10 64.0 60.0 200.0

8. 1.52 62.33 5JJ7 26.45 0.66 OAI 1.33 1.08 1.14 180 0.95 109.0 47.0 650.0

The total nitrogen content is low to medium (0.03 to 0.10 %). The
available nitrogen of all the samples is in the range of 95 to 130 ppm. The total
'P' content ranges between 0.15 to 0.29 % whereas available 'P' is in the range of
65 to 90 ppm. In all cases total K is in the range of 0.26 to 0.80 per cent and the
available K content is quite high rangmg from 72 to 98 ppm (Table 4).

Table 4. Macronutrient status offlI ash

S.No. Total nutrients (%) Available nutrients (ppm)
Nitrogen Phosphorus Potash N P K

(N) (P) (K)

0.03 0.18 0.51 126 80 90

2. 0.07 0.22 0.80 130 65 98
3. 0.08 0.15 0.26 119 70 76
4. 0.07 0.20 0.40 122 72 80
5. 0.08 0.22 0.37 130 66 85
6. 0.09 0.28 0.41 128 70 96
7. 0.05 0.29 0.50 101 75 90
8. 0.10 0.19 0.34 95 90 72

DTPA extractable micronutrient status of the fly ash is appreciable (Table

5). The available Cu, Fe, Zn and Mn are in the range of 0.80 to 2.60; 10.20 to
22.20; 0.80 to 3.20 and 1.52 to 4.20 ppm, respectively. Thus application of fly ash
in soil, deficient in Fe, Zu, Cu and Mn could increase their availability.
Physical and chemical properties of Koradi fly ash 75

Table 5. Available micronutrient status or fly ash

Sr.No. DTPA extractable (ppm)
eu Fe Zn Mn
1. 1.4 10.2 2.2 2.6
2. 2.2 14.0 1.6 2.4
3. 2.4 18.0 1.6 2.2

4. 1.6 16.8 1.8 2.6

5. 1.4 17.6 3.2 4.0
6. 0.8 19.6 1.2 4.2
7. 1.6 20.2 1.0 1.5
8. 2.6 22.2 0.8 1.6

Application of fly ash in agriculture has been reported by many

researchers to be beneficial (Warambhe et al 1992, Taylor et al 1988, Gupta et al
1995 and Campbell et al 1983) in improving nutrient status along with soil
physical conditions. The present study demonstrates the physical and chemical
properties of Koradi fly ash as the basic data base for experimental study to find
its usefulness in agriculture.

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Received: October, 1998; Accepted: June, 1999