A win/win solution for FGD-gypsum: researches discover beneficial applications for by-product in agriculture
- AG Spectrum Co. (United States)
Research at the Ohio State University and the USDA-ARS National Soil Erosion Research Lab at Purdue University has uncovered some viable new reasons for using FGD-gypsum as a regular part of production agriculture. Work has centered on FGD gypsum or calcium sulfite and to a much lesser extent on fly ash. Researchers have found three agronomically valuable functions of these materials. First, and most obvious, is the fertilizer value of these materials. Gypsum applications to the soil surface provide the rainfall with an alternative source of electrolyte which prevents soil crushing, thus keeping the soil open and permeable to rainwater and air. Gypsum is more effective than liming materials atremediation of sub-soil acidity by detoxifying the excess exchangeable aluminium, which causes low pH. One proven way to sequester carbon is to fix it as organic matter in soil. 90% of the carbon in roots is converted to soil organic matter, whereas 90% of surface residue is oxide and the carbon returned to the atmosphere. Therefore, more carbon is sequestered by increasing root growth. Improved soil water management also reduces nitrous oxide emissions from soils. The utility's world is improved since the highest quality and lowest cost material is generated by an emission control scrubber as FGD-gypsum. There are more than 175 million crop acres in the US alone. Each acre would require 0.5 ton per year to prevent surface sealing. This means that the potential for FGD-gypsum use is more than 80 million tons per year. 4 photos.
- OSTI ID:
- 20905936
- Journal Information:
- Ash at Work, Other Information: cliffert@accnorwalk.com
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS
60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
GYPSUM
FLUE GAS
CARBON DIOXIDE FIXATION
DESULFURIZATION
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
WASTE PRODUCT UTILIZATION
AGRICULTURE
ROOTS
USA
SOILS
FERTILIZERS
POLLUTION REGULATIONS
TAX CREDITS
SOIL CHEMISTRY
SURFACES
SOIL CONSERVATION
EROSION CONTROL
MARKET
COAL
ALUMINIUM
CROPS
CARBON SEQUESTRATION
CARBON DIOXIDE
NITROGEN OXIDES
FOSSIL-FUEL POWER PLANTS
RESOURCE POTENTIAL