Uses for coal ash?

 
DonKom
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Post by DonKom » Wed. Nov. 25, 2020 7:41 pm

Hey everyone,

I usually just fill a garbage bag with my coal ash and leave it by the curb for pickup with the household waste. I didn't do this with wood ash before I moved to coal, however. I'd sprinkle it around the garden beds.

I know that coal ash is fundamentally different, and it's usually references to sulfur content that prevent me from throwing it in the gardens. I suppose the bigger question is this: what is the ash from most anthracite coal composed of? And, if we're talking about anthracite and not lower grades of coal, is the ash suitable for any other household use?

Especially this year, with the current state of the world, I just want to utilize everything around me to the best I can. If the ash is acidic, I could still spread some around my blueberries and lingonberries, as an example.


 
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gaw
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Post by gaw » Wed. Nov. 25, 2020 7:50 pm

I know stuff grows in coal ash but I never ph tested it. It is corrosive.

It is the best anti-skid product for ice and snow you will ever find but dirty.

If acidic it should be good for acid loving plants.

 
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gaw
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Post by gaw » Wed. Nov. 25, 2020 7:53 pm


 
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Post by fig » Wed. Nov. 25, 2020 11:14 pm

I dump it in the driveway.

 
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Post by WNY » Thu. Nov. 26, 2020 6:55 am

A lot of good previous discussions on disposal of ash on here. Always a good discussion. if you search a bit, there's quite a few discussions about what to do with it.

I put in my driveway in the winter for traction. fill in low spots in my yard, etc......

Post by blr43758 - Disposal of Rice Coal Ash?

Post by Carbon12 - Ash Disposal

 
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Post by freetown fred » Thu. Nov. 26, 2020 7:31 am

Yep, garden & drive-way.

 
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Post by swyman » Thu. Nov. 26, 2020 7:38 am

Driveway dumper here also!


 
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Post by dbsuz05 » Thu. Nov. 26, 2020 5:25 pm

I’ve been filling along my driveway for 10 years. It turns to almost cement after it’s been packed down from driving on it.
Also raised up ground level around my garage. Animals don’t seem to dig around foundation anymore! Guess they don’t like ash in their noses!

 
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Post by lincolnmania » Fri. Nov. 27, 2020 11:35 am

wonder how it would be in soil cement?
till up some soil, add coal ash and portland cement, till some more, add water, till and smooth.

 
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Post by coaledsweat » Fri. Nov. 27, 2020 12:05 pm

lincolnmania wrote:
Fri. Nov. 27, 2020 11:35 am
wonder how it would be in soil cement?
till up some soil, add coal ash and portland cement, till some more, add water, till and smooth.
Yance preached about soil cement quite often. A little Portland in the mix and bingo.

 
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Post by Pacowy » Fri. Nov. 27, 2020 12:59 pm

Bottom ash can substitute for the sand/gravel portion of a concrete mix. Fly ash can substitute for part of the cement portion. Many moons ago I mixed up a bunch of flowable concrete from bottom ash, fly ash, water and a little portland cement to patch some big problem areas in a 300' asphalt driveway - AFAIK it's all still there. Likewise, even without the cement, coal ash has provided stable fill for an unpaved driveway that had become deeply rutted.

Mike

 
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Post by freetown fred » Fri. Nov. 27, 2020 1:31 pm

I always just pile my ash & come spring I spread it on driveway--top with a bag or two of sakrete--wet, & roll the hell out of it. My drive is in better shape then most of the asphalt ones I've seen--rolling is the most impt. part. Keeps it packed & uniform!!

 
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Post by ben » Sat. Nov. 28, 2020 8:10 am

I remember seeing some concrete foundations that were poured years ago the masons mixed in ashes. You can see the unburnt coal on the sides and top edges. Also, they used ashes as a base for sidewalks before they poured concrete.

 
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Post by waytomany?s » Sun. Nov. 29, 2020 7:46 am

ben wrote:
Sat. Nov. 28, 2020 8:10 am
I remember seeing some concrete foundations that were poured years ago the masons mixed in ashes. You can see the unburnt coal on the sides and top edges. Also, they used ashes as a base for sidewalks before they poured concrete.
Was it just to get rid of it? Or did it serve a purpose?

 
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Post by waytomany?s » Sun. Nov. 29, 2020 7:55 am

freetown fred wrote:
Fri. Nov. 27, 2020 1:31 pm
I always just pile my ash & come spring I spread it on driveway--top with a bag or two of sakrete--wet, & roll the hell out of it. My drive is in better shape then most of the asphalt ones I've seen--rolling is the most impt. part. Keeps it packed & uniform!!
Any chance you have a pic? Or a video? My driveway was built by my lifelong farmer grandfather. You know, use what you have type of person. I'm not saying that's wrong, but the stones picked from the surrounding fields are coming up through the last load of driveway mix I put on it 4 years ago. I know your method won't prevent that, but I'm thinking I could repair the worst sections first and then work from the road toward the house.


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