During the summer of 2023, I had the opportunity to explore different fields of engineering. One of the locations I visited was a biomass power plant in the south of Thailand, where I observed large piles of fly ash being stored as waste. Upon inquiring about its use, I learned that it was considered waste and that there was an abundant amount since this wasn’t the only biomass power plant in the world. Since then, I have researched how fly ash could be utilized instead of being discarded. In a world facing increasing environmental challenges, this project attempts to find a solution that merges engineering ingenuity with sustainable agricultural practices. By repurposing ash, a byproduct of various industrial processes, we are not only addressing waste management but also harnessing its nutrient-rich properties to enhance soil fertility.
During the summer of 2024, I spent three weeks researching how fly ash can be used as a catalyst in the production of hydrogen. We collected fly ash from three different locations around Thailand, each with different compositions, and compared their levels of competence. While it was personal research to help with my EPQ dissertation, it also provided valuable life skills such as independence and research abilities.
