NTPC Transactions on Energy Research

A NETRA Initiative
Editor(s):

S.Shaswattam, Anil Kumar Das, Subrata Sarkar, Prahlad Halder

ISBN:
978-94-6463-848-6
Type of Book:
Edited Volume
Copyright Year:
2025
Open Access

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ChapterPages 221-235

Harnessing Indian Coal Fly Ashes for Rare Earth Elements Recovery: A Review

Authors
Akanksha Aggarwal1, *, Raj K. Tripathi1, A. Lakshman Kumar2, Pranay Sharma3, Anil Kumar Das4
1Analytical Lab, NTPC Energy Technology Research Alliance, NTPC Ltd., Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
2Corrosion & Research Analysis Lab, NTPC Energy Technology Research Alliance, NTPC Ltd., Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
3Coal Lab, NTPC Energy Technology Research Alliance, NTPC Ltd., Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
4NDE, Imaging and Life Management Lab, NTPC Energy Technology Research Alliance, NTPC Ltd., Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
*Corresponding author. Email: akankshaaggarwal@ntpc.co.in
Corresponding Author
Akanksha Aggarwal
Available Online 1 October 2025.
DOI
10.2991/978-94-6463-849-3_16How to use a DOI?
Keywords
Thermal Power Plants; Coal Fly Ash; Utilization; Rare Earth Elements; Recovery
Abstract

Coal fly ash (CFA), produced in large quantities by thermal power plants in coal-dependent India, has emerged as a potential source for extracting Rare Earth Elements (REEs). Given the increasing demand for REEs in high-tech and green technologies, exploring alternative sources like CFA is vital. This review evaluates the composition and variability of REE content in fly ash from various Indian power plants. It examines extraction methods such as acid leaching, solvent extraction, and ion exchange, assessing their efficiency, feasibility, and associated environmental and economic implications. The necessity for innovative and sustainable sources of REEs is pressing. India produces approximately 140 million tons of CFA yearly, yet a substantial portion remains underutilized or is directed to landfills. The recovery of REEs from CFA represents a sustainable alternative that addresses the scarcity of essential materials and the environmental challenges of coal ash disposal. Emerging extraction methods, which are still primarily in the laboratory phase, offer significant promise for commercial applicability, highlighting the urgent need for effective strategies to recover valuable components. This review accentuates the significance of sustainable practices in recovering REEs, promoting a circular economy within India’s energy sector.

Copyright
© 2025 The Author(s)
Open Access
Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if you modified the licensed material. You do not have permission under this license to share adapted material derived from this chapter or parts of it.
Book Title
NTPC Transactions on Energy Research
Book Sub Title
A NETRA Initiative
Publication Date
1 October 2025
Print ISBN
978-94-6463-848-6
E-ISBN
978-94-6463-849-3
DOI
10.2991/978-94-6463-849-3_16How to use a DOI?
Copyright
© 2025 The Author(s)
Open Access
Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if you modified the licensed material. You do not have permission under this license to share adapted material derived from this chapter or parts of it.

Cite this article

risenwbib
TY  - CHAP
AU  - Akanksha Aggarwal
AU  - Raj K. Tripathi
AU  - A.  Lakshman Kumar
AU  - Pranay Sharma
AU  - Anil Kumar Das
ED  - S.Shaswattam
ED  - Anil Kumar Das
ED  - Subrata Sarkar
ED  - Prahlad Halder
PY  - 2025
DA  - 2025/10/01
TI  - Harnessing Indian Coal Fly Ashes for Rare Earth Elements Recovery: A Review
BT  - NTPC Transactions on Energy Research
PB  - Springer nature singapore
SP  - 221
EP  - 235
CY  - singapore
SN  - 978-94-6463-849-3
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2991/978-94-6463-849-3_16
DO  - 10.2991/978-94-6463-849-3_16
ID  - Aggarwal2025
ER  -