Abstract: Aggregates useful in building materials such as concrete are described. The aggregates may include fly ash and an inorganic polymer binder, which may be present as an outer layer on a core of fly ash. Methods of preparing the aggregates and concrete mixtures comprising the aggregates are also described. For example, the aggregates may be prepared by contacting fly ash agglomerates with an alkaline solution. The concrete mixtures may comprise the aggregates and a hydraulic cement.

Abstract: Systems and methods for beneficiating a recovered fly ash material and/or recovering fly ash from an impound site are described. The method may include thermally treating a first portion of a recovered fly ash material to form a thermally treated fly ash having a first temperature of at least 1000° F., and contacting the thermally treated fly ash with a second portion of the recovered fly ash material to cool the thermally treated fly ash to a second temperature of less than or equal to 500° F. and form a fly ash product. The fly ash product may have a carbon content less than 8% by weight, based on the total dry weight of the fly ash product.