Wood ash
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Wood ash is the residue powder left after the combustion of wood. Main producers of wood ash are wood industries and power plants.
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[edit] Composition
Typically 6-10 percent of burned wood results in ash.[1] The composition of wood ash is influenced by the type of wood that has been burned. Also the conditions of the combustion affect the composition and amount of the residue ash, thus higher temperature will reduce ash yield.[2][3]
Wood ash contains calcium carbonate as its major component, representing 25 [4] or even 45 percent.[5] Less than 10 percent is potash, and less than 1 percent phosphate; there are trace elements of iron, manganese, zinc, copper and some heavy metals.[4] However these numbers vary as combustion temperature is an important variable in determining wood ash composition.[3]
[edit] Utilization
Wood ash is commonly disposed of in landfills, however with increasing cost ecologically friendly alternatives are becoming more attractive.[6]
For a long time wood ash has been used in agricultural soil applications as it recycles nutrients back to the land. Wood ash has some value as a fertilizer, but does not contain nitrogen. Because of the presence of calcium carbonate it acts as a liming agent and will deacidify the soil increasing its pH.[4]. Lye can be made from wood ash.[7]
[edit] References
- ^ Clemson University: Soil Acidity and Liming, accessed October 1, 2008
- ^ L. Etiegni, Campbell AG. "Physical and chenical characteristics of wood ask".
- ^ a b Misra MK, Ragland KW, Baker AJ. "Wood Ash Composition as a Function of Furnace Temerature". Biomass and Bioenergy (1993) 4(2):103-116. http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/pdf1993/misra93a.pdf.
- ^ a b c Purdue University Consumer Horticulture, Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture.. "Wood Ash in the Garden"., accessed October 1,2008
- ^ [1] Ed Hume Seeds: Wood Ashes - How to use them in the Garden
- ^ Demeyer A, Voundi Nkana JC, Verloo MG. "Characteristics of wood ash and influence on soil properties and nutrient uptake: an overview".
- ^ Making lye from wood ash, accessed October 1, 2008
