Generation Aggregates - PFA for landscaping
As well as having many uses in industry and civil engineering projects, Pulverised Fuel Ash (PFA) from RWE Power International can also be used for landscaping.
PFA is ideal for reclaiming areas of land by providing subsoil fill.
With the growing importance of planning consent conditions requiring landscape treatment, PFA can be the answer to a range of land related problems.
The benefits of PFA in landscaping include:
- it is of known properties and consistency
- it is sterile and free from weeds
- it can be used as a soil forming material
When landscaping areas such as embankments and golf courses, PFA can be used under topsoil, blended with topsoil or with treatment, it can support vegetation itself.
It is usual to cover PFA with topsoil to allow growth of plants. However, if there is insufficient good quality topsoil then PFA can be blended in to the available material to provide sufficient cover.
If PFA is not covered it will weather over time and plants will naturally colonise the surface. This starts with mosses, and in time, grasses and will ultimately result in trees such as willow, birch and alder.
However, it is usual to establish growth soon after placing the PFA to eliminate erosion and dust blow. This can be done by ripping the surface and hydroseeding the area. Rye grasses and clovers can be established on PFA relatively easily, provided there is sufficient nutrient applied.
It is important when planning to grow plants on unweathered PFA to select those that are tolerant to boron, an essential plant nutrient, and saline conditions.
For examples of our experience in supplying PFA for landscaping, please refer to the following case studies:
