Definition: Cenospheres are small, light particles, that occur in the ash produced in burning coal. These tiny beads are composed of silica and alumina, and possess some incredible properties that mean they have a number of uses throughout a wide range of industries.
Cenospheres are byproducts of coal combustion in power plants. When coal is burned, it creates ash as a byproduct. This ash is made up of cenospheres, which are hollow spheres that rise to the surface of an ash heap. These cenospheres are recovered and are employed in a variety of industries due to its inherent characteristics.
What makes them much too interesting is that Cenospheres displays some phenomenal properties making them useful in different fields. Lightweight feature is one of the important properties of the cenospheres. These minuscule balls are– in fact– so light that they drift on water! This makes them perfect for applications like aerospace and automobile manufacturing where weight is a problem.
Cenospheres are increasingly applied in the construction sector as a lightweight, yet multi-purpose material. These little spheres can be incorporated into concrete, making it both lighter and more insulating, and lightening a building’s total load and its energy consumption.
The use of cenospheres in industries is not only due to their unique properties, but also because it is good for the environment. Cenospheres are a waste product of coal burning, so they are a recycled material. Using materials such as cenospheres over more resource-heavy alternatives, allows us to reduce the volume of waste and the amount of damage we’re causing to our planet through industry.
In addition, cenospheres are nontoxic and nonpolluting, efficient, safe and friendly to the environment for any number of applications. Through utilizing cenospheres in our products, we are able to use less harsh chemicals and pollutants and contribute to a cleaner, greener environment.
One promising application of cenospheres lies in the keys to make composite materials which are used for aircraft and space shuttle. Through the addition of cenospheres to these compounds, manufacturers are able to produce materials that are both strong and lightweight. Ideal for commercial aviation interiors.