In India, the generation of electricity is overwhelmingly dependent on combustion of high-ash coal, the present availability of fly ash has already exceeded 130 million tonnes and its generation is likely to touch 170 million tonnes by 2011-12.Although the present utilization of fly ash is close to 50% of the quantity generated, the directive is to effectively utilize the entire quantity that would be generated by the year 2011-12. This objective can only be met, if one looks for newer avenues of bulk utilization.
In order to achieve this target several technological endeavours are being made to enhance the quality and reactivity of fly ashes through mechano-chemical activation.This paper addresses the issues pertaining to the intrinsic quality parameters of the Indian fly ashes, potential of chemical activation, feasibility of adopting the newer milling systems such as vibration and attrition milling, etc.Finally, the need for converting the fly ash grains to sub micro crystalline particles and, thereby, significantly altering their properties and behaviour has been touched upon.
