Reclamation of a burning refuse pile at Kenvir, Kentucky (case history)

Conference · Sat Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1984 · Univ. Ky., Off. Eng. Serv., (Bull.); (United States)

OSTI ID:5336818

Byers, D R; Warder, D L; Booth, D H

This paper describes the design and construction techniques used in the reclamation of a burning refuse pile at Kenvir in Harlan County, Kentucky. Prior to reclamation, the refuse pile, which resulted from a deep mining operation in the 1940's and had been burning for many years, extended to a total height of about 220 feet on very steep slopes. The total volume of refuse was about 265,000 cubic yards. Because of the marginal stability of the slopes, it was necessary not only to extinguish the burning refuse, but also to establish a more stable configuration. Design features of the new facility include an underdrain along the original valley bottom, 2.5H:1V slopes on the front face with 30 foot wide benches at 50 foot vertical intervals and a system of ditches to control surface drainage. Because no natural soil was available nearby, an organic compost material was incorporated into the refuse in order to support vegetation. Water for quenching was obtained both from an abandoned mine opening above the pile and from Yocum Creek at the toe. Dozers were used to move the refuse, with surface temperatures constantly monitored to determine when more quenching was required. Temperatures as high as 1000/sup 0/F were measured. Trucks moved the quenched refuse to the new facility where it was compacted to increase strength and discourage future combustion.

• Research Organization: WMB Engineers, Inc., Lexington, KY
• OSTI ID: 5336818
• Report Number(s): CONF-841204-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Univ. Ky., Off. Eng. Serv., (Bull.); (United States)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
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54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COAL MINING
COMBUSTION
FEDERAL REGION IV
FIRE HAZARDS
FIRES
HAZARDS
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LAND RECLAMATION
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OXIDATION
SLOPE STABILITY
SOLID WASTES
STABILITY
STORAGE FACILITIES
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
UNDERGROUND MINING
USA
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTES