It is called fly ash because it is transported from the combustion chamber by exhaust gases. This name reflects how the material behaves within the power plant or industrial process where it is produced.
Understanding Fly Ash
Fly ash is a fine powder that originates from the mineral matter present in coal. When coal is burned in high-temperature furnaces, most of the combustible carbon is consumed. However, the mineral impurities melt and form molten particles. As these particles exit the combustion zone with the exhaust gases, they cool and solidify into spherical glassy particles.
As the provided reference states, fly ash consists primarily of the noncombustible matter in coal and a small amount of carbon that remains from incomplete combustion. Because these particles are very light and fine, the flow of exhaust gases transports them from the combustion chamber, differentiating them from bottom ash, which is heavier and falls to the bottom of the furnace. This airborne nature during the combustion process is precisely why it earned the name "fly" ash.
In summary:
- "Fly" refers to its ability to be carried by gases.
- "Ash" refers to the residual material left after combustion.
This characteristic transport method is fundamental to its collection and its various uses in industries like concrete manufacturing, where its unique properties are leveraged.
