REMOVAL OF TRACE ELEMENTS IN WASTE WATER BY ALUMINA NANOPARTICLES FROM COAL FLY ASH

Abstract

Coal burning produces fly ash, also known as flue-ash. It is one of the residues generated in combustion, and comprises the fine particles that rise with the flue gases. Fly ash is generally captured by electrostatic precipitators. In the present study, coal fly ash samples were collected from Tigypt Power Plant located in Piinlaung Township of Taungyi District in Shan State, Myanmar. It aimed to synthesize alumina nanoparticles from coal fly ash by using alkali lime sintering method and to apply it for waste water treatment. Alumina nanoparticles were obtained from leaching, pre-desilication, leaching, desilication, carbonation, and calcination steps, sand were found to agree with the aluminum nitrate using lactic acid as a standard reference. Using Debye Scherer equation, the average crystallite size of alumina nanoparticles from chemical source and coal fly ash were found to be 47.83 nm and 63.55 nm, respectively. According to Lattice parameter values, the crystal structure of the obtained alumina nanoparticles was observed to be hexagonal. Using field emission scanning electron microscope, the morphology of alumina nanoparticles from chemical source and coal fly ash were found to be spherical in shape. Fly ash can be used as soil amendment to improve soils physical and chemical properties, to reduce pest damage on crops.  Use of fly ash instead of lime in utilization of agriculture can reduce CO2 emission and also reduce global warming.  Using the alumina nanoparticles, removal of trace elements (copper, lead, nickel, zinc and cadmium) from waste water obtained from Textile Mill No (6) Branch, Heavy Industrial, No. (3), Ministry of Industry, Sagaing City, Sagaing Region was performed.