Ultrasound and shacking-assisted water-leaching of anions and cations from fly ash

Two mechanical extraction techniques were used for the extraction of environmentaly interesting components of coal fly ash: shaking, during which the extraction process lasted from 6 up to 24 h, and sonication that lasted from 15 up to 60 min, using water as extractant. The concentration of anions in fly ash extracts was determined by ion chromatography, while atomic absorption spectrometry was used for determination of: As, Pb, Cd, Ni, Cr, Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn and Al. The ultrasonication yielded slightly higher amounts of extracted anions as well as Pb, Al, Mn and Fe cations, while shaking-assisted extraction was more efficient for the Cr, As, Zn and Ni ions. The changes in pH value, particle size distribution within colloid solution, zeta potential and conductivity during ultrasound-assisted extraction were measured in order to explain changes that occur on the surface of fly ash particles contacting water and different processes (adsorption, ion exchange and flocculation) that develop under natural conditions. Principal Component Analysis was used for assessing the effect of observed process parameters. It is essential to evaluate quantity of these elements leachable from coal fly ash into the surface waters in natural conditions in order to prevent contamination of the environment