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ARS Home » Northeast Area » University Park, Pennsylvania » Pasture Systems & Watershed Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #104121
Title: A FIELD DEMONSTRATION OF THE USE OF FBC FLYASH FOR BARNYARD PAVEMENT

Author
item Stout, William
item NICKESON, T - SELF-EMPLOYED GEOLOGIST
item CUNNINGHAM, PAUL - BLACK RIVER PARTNERS

Submitted to: International Ash Utilization Symposium
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/1/1999
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: Stout, W.L., Nickeson, T.L., Cunningham, P. 1999. A field evaluation of the use of fbc flyash for barnyard pavement. International Ash Utilization Symposium. p. 1-6.

Interpretive Summary: Pavement of muddy barnyards benefits livestock health by keeping animal feet and udders dryer and cleaner. However, such pavement is often too expensive for farmers to install. Flyashes are a by-product of burning coal to produce electricity. These ashes are readily available at a low cost. We tested fluidized bed combustion flyash as a lost cost alternative eto traditional concrete and asphalt pavements. We found that the flyash provided a serviceable barnyard pavement without causing an unacceptable risk to the environment.

Technical Abstract: Pavement of muddy barnyards benefits livestock health by keeping animal feet and udders dryer and cleaner. In spring 1995, fluidized bed combustion (FBC) flyash was installed as a pavement material for barnyards on a farm approximately 40 miles north of Harrisburg, PA. The flyash was transported dry to the site in pneumatic tank trucks and hydrated to approximately 35% using a transit concrete mixer. The depth of the flyash pavement was approximately 45 cm (18 in). Six suction lysimeters each were installed in the paved and unpaved soil control of the barnyard. Despite fracturing, the pavement remained a useable cattle feedlot area until the pavement was dismantled in spring 1997. Chemical analysis of leachate indicates that, except for As and Ni, concentrations of flyash-related contaminants in leachate collected beneath flyash-paved areas are not different than those collected from beneath the unpaved control area. The average As and Ni concentrations in leachate from the flyash-paved area wa higher than that from the unpaved control area but was well below the USEPA maximum concentration for drinking water.