🔍 Unlocking Hidden Resources in Coal Ash Using 3D Mapping #sciencefather #researcher #coal

Modeling the spatial distribution of REEs and Li within two coal ash impoundments

Introduction 🌍

Coal ash, a byproduct of coal-burning power plants, can surprisingly contain valuable elements like rare earth elements (REEs), scandium (Sc), yttrium (Y), and lithium (Li). These materials are vital for high-tech industries, green energy, and electronics 🔋🌱. However, locating these elements within large ash impoundments is challenging due to uneven distribution and limited data.

The Study 🧪

Researchers used both historical and newly collected data to model how these elements are spread out in two coal ash storage sites. Using 3D Empirical Bayesian Kriging (EBK 3D) in ArcGIS Pro 🗺️, they mapped the concentrations of important elements such as:

• Total REYSc (Rare Earths + Scandium)

• Ce (Cerium), La (Lanthanum), Sc, Y, Nd (Neodymium), and Li.

Key Findings 🧭

• Site 1: Even though more samples were taken here, the element distribution was very random 🎲, making it hard to model accurately.

• Site 2: Had fewer samples, but the elements showed a clear pattern from east to west and with depth, allowing for better modeling 📊📌.

Why EBK 3D is Special 🧠✨

Unlike older methods, EBK 3D:

• Accounts for uncertainty in data 📉

• Works well even with fewer samples 📦

• Provides realistic 3D visualizations of element distribution 🧭📐

It’s especially useful when:

• Ash hasn’t been disturbed 🧱

• The coal source is consistent or changes gradually ⛏️

Conclusion ✅

This study shows how modern tools like EBK 3D can help unlock the hidden value in coal ash. By identifying where valuable elements are concentrated, we can turn waste into a resource ♻️💎—an important step toward sustainable material recovery and supporting high-tech industries.

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