March 30, 2015

Duke student earns prize for research on coal ash

Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions

A Duke doctoral student earned honors and a cash prize from the American Coal Ash Association Educational Foundation based on his interest in advancing the sustainable and environmentally responsible use of coal combustion products.

Ross Taggart, a third-year Ph.D. student in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, received a $5,000 scholarship named in honor of David C. Goss, a former executive director of the American Coal Ash Association who was instrumental in establishing the Educational Foundation.

Brigitte Brown of University of Wisconsin-Madison also was honored with the $2,500 John Faber award, named in honor of the American Coal Ash Association's first executive director.

Taggart and Brown were chosen from a field of applicants who submitted essays on topics related to the beneficial use of coal combustion products, which are materials produced when coal is burned to generate electricity. The competition – new this year – was conceived and promoted after ACAA members consulted staff at the Duke University Energy Initiative about how to engage students in finding new ways to deal with coal ash.

Winners were chosen based on essays, coursework, academic credentials, recommendations and a demonstrated interest in the use of coal combustion products.

Taggart wrote an essay about his research on the use of coal fly ash as a potential source for strategic rare earth metals and yttrium, which are critical to the automobile, energy, electronics, and defense industries. He and Brown presented their work to the ACAA at its winter membership meeting Feb. 11 in Savannah, Ga.

"Increasing the utilization of coal ash in order to prevent its disposal depends on knowledge and creativity," said Dawn Santoianni, Scholarship Committee chair.  "We are proud to help support the next generation of professionals interested in developing safe and environmentally beneficial uses for coal ash."

Coal ash is a generic term for several solid materials left over when coal is burned to generate electricity. It can be used in the production of concrete, gypsum wallboard, blasting grit, roofing granules, and a variety of geotechnical and agricultural applications, according to the ACAA.

The ACAA was established in 1968 as a trade organization devoted to recycling materials generated when coal is burned to fuel electricity. The ACAA Educational Foundation is a not-for-profit organization that promotes the understanding of how to manage coal combustion products.