Characterization of metallic particles extracted from fly ash from a thermoelectric plant in Boyacá-Colombia

Abstract

In this work, the by-products of fly ashes, obtained from a thermoelectric power station in Boyacá, Colombia, were studied through magnetic separation. The morphological characterization of the particles was performed by scanning electron microscopy. Its elemental composition and crystalline structure were studied through energy dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction, respectively. The results obtained show the presence of ferrospheres and cenospheres, which are irregular and rough compounds with high iron content. The mineralogical phases present in the samples are mainly magnetite and hematite, with some traces of mullite. These phases can provide magnetic properties and extend the range of applications of these particles using a simple separation process in fly ashes.

Keywords

• fly ash
• cenospheres
• ferrospheres
• magnetite
• hematite
• mullite