Environmental remediation with products of fluidized bed combustion
Commercialization of fluidized bed combustion (FBC) technology could be enhanced by increased utilization of FBC products (ash). In the US, coal combustion products (CCP) are not hazardous under RCRA and are regulated as residual waste by the states. The composition of CCP from fluidized beds is primarily determined by the inorganic constituents in coal, the sorbent reaction products and the unreacted sorbent. The combustion system and the inclusion of other fuels may also affect the chemical composition, physical properties and leaching behavior. The alkalinity of the FBC material, residual lime and pozzolanic properties are desirable characteristics for use in soil stabilization and mine reclamation. At reclaimed surface coal mines, placement of CCP is intended to reduce the amount of acid mine drainage (AMD) produced at such sites. Neutralization, inhibition of acid forming bacteria, encapsulation of the pyrite or water diversion are believed to be the mechanisms facilitated by the alkaline material. Comparison of water quality, before and after injection of a grout composed of FBC ash and water indicated small increases in pH and decreases in acidity at discharge points. The concentrations of calcium and magnesium in water samples generally increased compared to background levels. The average concentration of trace elements (arsenic, cobalt, copper, nickel and zinc) was slightly elevated in the injection areas, but in down dip and discharge water samples were comparable to background levels. Over a four year period, the average acidity in the injected area decreased by approximately 30%, a value similar to another site where a mixture of class F fly ash and cement was injected. Although coal mine remediation is a beneficial environmental use of FBC products, its effectiveness may be related to the amount of FBCB used and the method of emplacement.
- Research Organization:
- Dept. of Energy, Pittsburgh, PA (US)
- OSTI ID:
- 20006722
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-990534-; TRN: US0000725
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 15th International Conference on Fluidized Bed Combustion, Savannah, GA (US), 05/16/1999--05/19/1999; Other Information: 1 CD-ROM. Operating system required: Windows 3.x; Windows 95/98/NT; Macintosh, Power Macintosh; UNIX. All systems need 2X CD-ROM drive.; PBD: 1999; Related Information: In: Proceedings of the 15th national conference on fluidized bed combustion, by Reuther, R.B. [ed.], [1800] pages.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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