title: Nano-mineralogical investigation of coal and fly ashes from coal-based captive power plant (India): an introduction of occupational health hazards.
abstract: Coal derived nano-particles has been received much concern recently around the world for their adverse effects on human health and the environment during their utilization. In this investigation the mineral matter present in some industrially important Indian coals and their ash samples are addressed. Coal and fly ash samples from the coal-based captive power plant in Meghalaya (India) were collected for different characterization and nano-mineralogy studies. An integrated application of advanced characterization techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), High Resolution-Transmission Electron microscopy (HR-TEM)/(Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy) EDS/(selected-area diffraction pattern) SAED, Field Emission-Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM)/EDS analysis, and Mössbauer spectroscopy were used to know their extent of risks to the human health when present in coal and fly ash. The study has revealed that the coals contain mainly clay minerals, whilst glass fragments, spinel, quartz, and other minerals in lesser quantities were found to be present in the coal fly ash. Fly ash carbons were present as chars. Indian coal fly ash also found to contain nanominerals and ultrafine particles. The coal-fired power plants are observed to be the largest anthropogenic source of Hg emitted to the atmosphere and expected to increase its production in near future years. The Multi Walled Carbon Nano-Tubes (MWCNTs) are detected in our fly ashes, which contains residual carbonaceous matter responsible for the Hg capture/encapsulation. This detailed investigation on the inter-relationship between the minerals present in the samples and their ash components will also be useful for fulfilling the clean coal technology principles.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Environmental Researches and Nanotechnology Development, Centro Universitário La Salle, Mestrado em Avaliação de Impactos Ambientais em Mineração, Victor Barreto, 2288 Centro 92010-000, Canoas, RS, Brazil; Development Department of Touristic Opportunities, Catarinense Institute of Environmental Research and Human Development - IPADHC, Capivari de Baixo, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcos L S
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: Fabiane
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Marostega
authors.forename: Silvio R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Taffarel
authors.forename: Binoy K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Saikia
authors.forename: Frans B
authors.initials: FB
authors.lastname: Waanders
authors.forename: Kátia
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: DaBoit
authors.forename: Bimala P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Baruah
authors.forename: Luis F O
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Silva
mesh_terms: D060729:Coal Ash / Q000032:analysis*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006256:Hazardous Waste / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000032:analysis*; D016272:Occupational Health / Q000639:trends*; D011210:Power Plants / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013052:Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission; D015204:Spectroscopy, Mossbauer; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
chemical_list: D060729:Coal Ash; D006256:Hazardous Waste
keywords: Advanced techniques; Indian coal ashes; Nano-mineralogy; Residue chemistry