The Neyveli Lignite Corporation has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, to explore the feasibility of using bottom ash as a substitute to sand in construction activities.
NLC Director (Planning and Projects) R. Kandasamy and VIT Director A. Senthil Kumar exchanged the documents in this regard at a simple function held here on Friday. The NLC sources told The Hindu that this was another venture undertaken by the NLC to strengthen the industry–institution interaction for mutual benefit and to introduce innovation in construction materials and methods.
The sources said that the NLC was generating large volume of two types of ashes – flyash and bottom ash – in its three thermal power plants. Flyash was of finer nature and it was already put to use by the NLC in construction and was also being supplied to cement industries and block-brick manufacturers.
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The bottom ash was in the form of coarse particles, identical to river sand in characteristics, but for having certain chemical properties and impurities. Hence, the bottom ash was being used as landfills and mostly dumped in the mined areas.
In the wake of construction boom river sand, vital building material, was going scarce due to large-scale excavation and the resultant restrictions on quarrying. Therefore, there had arisen the need for finding a replacement for sand and it was thought that bottom ash would suit the purpose.
The sources further said that the NLC had carried out certain preliminary construction activities by using bottom ash and these had yielded encouraging results. In view of this the NLC had decided to carry out a research and development project on using bottom ash in the place of sand in collaboration with the VIT. It would also serve a larger objective of saving the natural resource, i.e., sand, from exploitation and help in generating wealth from waste. Based on the results the NLC would construct “experimental structures.” If proved successful, bottom ash would be a cost-effective alternative to sand.
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The sources also noted that NLC had been continuously carrying out R&D works in collaboration with the educational institutions such as the IITs and NITs. The notable among this was one with the IIT-Madras in producing pre-cast blocks meant for earthquake-resistant buildings.
The NLC had built 25 stalls in its book-fair grounds by using coarse aggregates obtained from the dismantled products of old buildings. It was believed that the bottom ash was another promising building material, the sources added.