SBIR Phase II: Compacting Fly Ash to Make Bricks

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project has the objective of conducting R&D needed for commercialization of new technology to make bricks using fly ash, which is a byproduct or waste material generated at coal-fired power plants. Research conducted under Phase I demonstrated that the known freeze/thaw problem of fly ash bricks can be solved using air entrainment. This process converts a high volume waste material into a useful product using a room temperature process, with cost, air pollution nd energy savings, compared to traditional processes. The Phase II work will test key fly ash brick properties not tested in Phase I, investigate ways to vary the brick's color and shape, and study key steps in scaling up the process.