The use of coal combustion by-products to control acid mine drainage
The placement of an alkaline coal combustion by-product (CCB) in abandoned, reclaimed or active surface coal mines is intended to reduce the amount of acid mine drainage (AMD) produced at such sites. The CCB may limit acid formation by several mechanisms: neutralization, inhibition of acid forming bacteria, encapsulation of the pyrite or water diversion. Water quality changes have been monitored at three sites where a grout containing fly ash was injected after reclamation. Comparison of water quality, before and after grouting, indicated small increases in pH and decreases in acidity at discharge points. The concentrations of calcium and magnesium in water samples generally increased. Concentrations of trace elements were found to be generally comparable in treated and untreated areas. When grouted and ungrouted areas were compared, the effect of the fly ash was shown to be localized in the areas of injection. These studies indicated that fly ash is an effective reagent for control of AMD, but that large volumes are required to treat a site. To corroborate the field results, a series of column leaching tests were conducted to determine the release of trace elements from CCB as a function of pH. A one kg fly ash sample is placed in each of several 5-cm by 1 m acrylic columns. The material is leached at a nominal rate of 250 nL/d for 60 days. Lixiviants include deionized water, artificial groundwater, synthetic precipitation, and dilute solutions of acetic acid, sodium carbonate, sulfuric acid, and ferric chloride. Leachate is analyzed for the trace elements antimony, arsenic, barium, boron, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, lead, nickel, selenium, and zinc. Leachate data, analyzed as the mass extracted with respect to the concentration in the solid, indicate that the release of trace elements is variable. Depending on the pH or the leachant solution, the mass release of arsenic, copper, nickel and zinc may exceed 20 pct of the amount present in the original sample. Both laboratory and field data indicate that CCB can reduce the formation of AMD.
- Research Organization:
- Federal Energy Technology Center, Pittsburgh, PA (US)
- OSTI ID:
- 20012937
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 23rd International Technical Conference on Coal Utilization and Fuel Systems, Clearwater, FL (US), 03/09/1998--03/13/1998; Other Information: PBD: [1998]; Related Information: In: The proceedings of the 23rd international technical conference on coal utilization and fuel systems, by Sakkestad, B.A. [ed.], 1164 pages.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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