Geochemical analysis of medium sized fly ash particles using the NAC nuclear microprobe

Single fly ash particles were analyzed by using a combination of electron microprobe and nuclear microprobe measurements. Trace elements were found to accumulate in these particles by three different mechanisms. Firstly, in some particles trace elements remain associated with unaltered mineral phases. In the second instance, some minerals containing trace elements were dissolved in larger particles, and thirdly, volatile trace elements were found to have reacted with molten fly ash particles, especially in particles which approach eutectic compositions in the FeOAl ₂O ₃SiO ₂ and CaOAl ₂O ₃SiO ₂ ternary systems.