Eskom produces around 34 million tonnes of Type 3 hazardous coal ash, every year. The ash is a by-product of coal-fired power generation.
On Thursday, Eskom announced it has built a new access road, using recycled ash instead of cement.
The road is at the Kusile West Power Station in Mpumalanga and is about 759 meters, across two sections.
The road, was designed to support the daily passage of 1, 200 to 1, 600 trucks, each weighing ~34 tonnes.
Daphne Mokwena, Spokesperson of Eskom, said this innovative initiative, was launched by Eskom Rotek Industries (ERI).
“As part of its Research, Testing and Development (RT&D) initiative, Eskom is using around 2, 904 tonnes of legacy coal ash per kilometre of road, adhering to conventional road-building standards.
By replacing traditional cement with recycled ash, the project contributes to a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions, every ton of cement avoided, equates to less carbon dioxide (CO2) produced.”
Eskom’s Research Division has explored geopolymerization, a chemical process that transforms aluminosilicate ash into geopolymer concrete.
In addition, Eskom has partnered with Government in Mpumalanga, to repurposed about 10% of the ash from Eskom’s coal-fired power stations to use in various industries, to create jobs.
Mokwena said “under Waste Exclusion Regulations, Eskom is authorised to use coal ash in various applications, including road construction and brick manufacturing, yielding significant economic and environmental advantages.”
Picture: Willem Cronje