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Title: Long-term leaching tests with high ash fusion Maryland coal slag

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5824631
 [1]
  1. Tennessee Valley Authority, Chattanooga, TN (USA)

The main objective of this project was to investigate the potential environmental impact of the storage or disposal of coal gasification residues. In this regard, this investigation examined the quality of leachate produced during the long-term outdoor storage slag generated at the TVA 200-t/d Texaco gasifier in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Evaluative laboratory extraction tests were also conducted on both the coarse and fine slag. Leachate quality was tracked in both the surface water and the water at depth after it percolated through the slag pile (leachate well water) by measuring pH and conductivity on a weekly basis and toxic trace elements and other chemical species quarterly or at longer intervals. The major species observed in the leachate well water were Ca and Mg cations as well as sulfate anions. The average electrical conductivity measured in the leachate well water was 2503 {mu}mhos/cm. The measured pH decreased from an initial value of 8.2 and stabilized at about 7.1 with occasional excursions to values as low as 6.3 during dry periods. Concurrently, sulfate concentrations averaged 1083 mg/l with occasional peaks as high as 2600 mg/l. Fe and Mn concentrations measured in the leachate well waters averaged 2.0 and 1.68 mg/l, respectively. Concentrations of species for which Primary Maximum Contaminant Limits (MCLs) for public drinking water supplies have been established were generally below the primary limits with the exception of Se and F which exceeded the limits occasionally. Concentrations of Fe, Mn, sulfate, and total dissolved solids were markedly above the Secondary MCLs set for these species. 35 refs., 2 figs., 21 tabs.

Research Organization:
Electric Power Research Inst., Palo Alto, CA (USA); Tennessee Valley Authority, Chattanooga, TN (USA)
Sponsoring Organization:
EPRI; Electric Power Research Inst., Palo Alto, CA (USA)
OSTI ID:
5824631
Report Number(s):
EPRI-GS-7185
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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