Optimum reaction ratio of coal fly ash to blast furnace cement for effective removal of hydrogen sulfide.

Reducing hydrogen sulfide concentration in eutrophic marine sediments is crucial to maintaining healthy aquatic ecosystems. Managing fly ash, 750 million tons of which is generated annually throughout the world, is another serious environmental problem. In this study, we develop an approach that addresses both these issues by mixing coal fly ash from coal-fired power plants with blast furnace cement to remediate eutrophic sediments.

Estimation of hydrogen sulfide removal efficiency with granulated coal ash applied to eutrophic marine sediment using a simplified simulation model.

Hydrogen sulfide generated in eutrophic marine sediment is harmful for living organisms. It is therefore necessary to remove hydrogen sulfide from the sediment to restore benthic ecosystems. Previous studies revealed that granulated coal ash, which is a by-product of coal thermal electric power stations, could remove and oxidize hydrogen sulfide.