Fly Ash Management and Condition Monitoring of Ash Pond

A thermal power plant is the most conventional source of electric power. In the thermal power plants, the coal is used as a fuel which is burnt through combustion process in boilers, and hence, ash is generated as a waste product. Ash is a major pollutant for environment and, thus, is detrimental to the animal and plant life. Also disposal of huge quantity of ash is a burning problem due to non-availability of land. Therefore, an ash pond is essential for the disposal of ash generated in a thermal power station. The ash pond consists of a large pond with ring embankment all around, internal and external drainage system, and toe protection at downstream side. The operation in ash pond takes place by filling with ash slurry, allowing the water to drain and evaporate from the pond over time. The industries are constructing ash ponds of various sizes and shapes depending upon the size and layout of available land and approval from the statutory authorities. The capacities of ponds/lagoons are being increased by raising the dyke height. For the improvement of the reliability and stability of ash ponds, it is necessary to take appropriate measures in every stages, such as designing, construction, operation, maintenance, supervision, and monitoring. Besides the constructional improvement, condition monitoring of ash pond is essential to keep it in normal operating state. This paper focuses on different condition monitoring tools and techniques to enhance the reliability of ash ponds.