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Industry Members Should Engage Professional Guidance CRC Low Carbon Living Leading the Way The suite of analysis required under exemption testing covers heavy metal and salt concentrations to ensure environmental protection. Test methodologies are drawn from environment and soil science and some interpretation is necessary for example the methodology for assessing ash electrical conductivity. This test is a 1 in 5 ash in water solution and results reported are as a saturated extract which requires a multiplication factor not provided with the methodology. Similarly the characterisation of the ashes through this regulatory test suite will not provide information about performance in application. The NSW EPA coal ash order 2014 and the coal ash exemption 2014 httpwww.epa.nsw.gov.auwasteregulationorders-exemptions.htm are broadly-based regulations developed on the premise that the raw ash material that is a waste can be deemed to be unsuitable for any or all potential uses - on the basis of a threshold salt or metal concentration which may or may not be the final case under innovative conditions. Heavy metal maximum concentrations by the total acid digest test method will identify potentially adverse elements a result that is not indicative of application rate. A total concentration will not inform as to the soil response plant growth or indicate an in situ acidic concentration of heavy metal leachate that may develop from a different acidic or alkaline condition for target soils. Alternative test methods will provide this information and professional guidance on these matters should be sought. Given that extensive sampling programs to enable resource recovery is undertaken for compliance this is an excellent opportunity for additional testing from the bulk sample collected. For example sampling and testing consistent with Australian Standards and therefore valid for green-house and carbon reporting. Similarly the frequency of testing with multiple samples is suited to replication and statistical analyses raising the prospect of ongoing opportunities to invest in a broader knowledge base for characterisation and ongoing market development. Support from a professional soil or environmental scientist to discuss potential testing suites is recommended. For further information particularly for coal ash in agriculture and soils-based applications please contact Ash Development Association of Australia. www.adaa.asn.aucontact In 2015 the CRC for Low Carbon Living continues to forge ahead with its innovative research on geopolymer concrete as one of the most promising high volume applications of fly ash. The 2013 Scoping Study identified that the major barriers to geopolymer adoption was the lack of standard specifications track record and exclusion from current standards e.g. AS 3600. httpgoo.gl8VKp49 Another project submitted to the CRC-LCL in 2014 aimed to gather field data from geopolymer real-life constructions to develop greater confidence in geopolymer use. Using the field and laboratory data a comprehensive Handbook for geopolymer specification will be developed and published through Standards Australia. Additionally a pilot program will develop lightweight aggregates based on fly ash to produce lightweight concrete which reduces energy usage in buildings. Current technologies for producing lightweight aggregates using sintered fly ash involve carbon intensive processes. This project aims to develop low carbon processes based on geopolymerisation and alternative methods for producing aggregates from fly ash. Partner organisations include the ADAA ASA UNSW Swinburne University of Technology AECOM Sydney Water and Standards Australia. The project coordinators also obtained letters of support from the main Australian geopolymer concrete suppliers Zeobond Pty Ltd Wagners Concrete Pty Ltd as well as RMS Pavement Structures Transport Main Roads QLD Vicroads and Milliken Infrastructure Solutions. In February 2014 this new project was approved by the CRC-LCL Board with a cash contribution of 1.1 million in combination with the In-kind contributions from partner organisations of 1.8 million totaling over 3.1 million. The ADAA will continue to keep members informed of any updates on the CRC-LCL throughout 2015. For more information visit httpwww. lowcarbonlivingcrc.com.au 04 ADAA APRIL 2015