AEC bottom ash (also called incinerator bottom ash or IBA) is the solid residual product that remains after household waste is burned in a waste-to-energy plant. After processing, it is used as a secondary raw material in construction, for example as foundation material or aggregate.
How is AEC bottom ash produced?
When household waste is burned at temperatures of 900–1100 °C, a slag-like residue is left on the grate of the incinerator. This raw material contains:
- Mineral residues (stone, glass, ceramics)
- Metals (iron, aluminium, copper)
- Ash and sintered material
After incineration, the bottom ash is processed: metals are extracted for recycling, and the remaining material is screened and stored for several weeks to cure.
Application
Processed AEC bottom ash is used in construction as:
- Foundation material — beneath roads, car parks and industrial sites
- Fill material — as a replacement for sand or gravel in ground raising
- Aggregate — in unbound base courses
- Concrete aggregate — in experimental applications as a partial replacement for gravel
Environmental requirements
The use of AEC bottom ash is subject to strict environmental regulations. The material must meet leaching standards to prevent harmful substances from entering the soil.
Related terms
- Aggregate
- Foundation
- Concrete
- Sustainable building
- Fill material
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