Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-t7czq Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-29T07:41:30.775Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Scientific Basis for Effective Fly Ash Disposal

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 February 2011

Ishwar P. Murarka*
Affiliation:
Environmental Assessment Department, Electric Power Research Institute, P.O. Box 10412, Palo Alto, CA 94303
Get access

Extract

Disposal of fly ash in landfills and surface impoundments continues to be the most cost-effective and common practice in the electric utility industry. Fly ash, like most solid residues from industrial processes, contains water soluble constituents. The composition of fly ash however varies from plant to plant with the type of fuel being used, the method of firing, and the way in which the ash is collected. Even though data on the bulk chemical composition of fly ash are now generally available, it is not known how this information can be used to predict the dissolution and migration of ash constituents in natural waters. Concerns for groundwater protection have raised issues which may alter the practice of land disposal for fly ash and make it more costly than necessary. Regulatory actions to date indicate that stricter engineering requirements may be placed on disposal practices in order to protect groundwater from contamination. Natural and artificial liners seem to be the most commonly required engineering solutions - an apparent over-reaction.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1986

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. Murarka, I.P., Solid Waste Environmental Research at EPRI, Mimeograph Report, Electric Power Research Institute, pp. 128 (1985).Google Scholar
2. Kincaid, C.T., Morrey, J.R. and Rogers, J.E., Geohydrochemical Models for Solute Migration, Volume 1: Process Description and Code Selection. Electric Power Research Institute, Report No. EA-3417 V. 1 (1984).Google Scholar
3. Kincaid, C.T. and Morrey, J.R., Geohydrochemical Models for Solute Migration, Vol. 2: Preliminary Evaluation of Selected Computer Codes, Electric Power Research Institute, Report No. EA-3417 V. 2 (1984).Google Scholar
4. Rai, D. and Zachara, J.M., Chemical Attenuation Rates, Coefficients, and Constants in Leachate Migration, V. 1: A Critical Review, Electric Power Research Institute, Report No. EA-3356, V. 1 (1984).Google Scholar
5. Summers, K.V., Rupp, G.L., and Gherini, S.A., Physical-Chemical Characteristics of Utility Solid Wastes, Electric Power Research Institute, Report No. EA-3236 (1983).Google Scholar
6. Kuryk, A., Bodek, I., and Santhanam, C.J., Leaching Studies on Utility Solid Wastes: Feasibility Experiments, Electric Power Research Institute, Report No. EA-4215 (1985).Google Scholar
7. Betson, R.P., Boggs, J.M., Young, S.C., and Gelhar, L.W., Macrodispersion Experiment (MADE): Design of a Field Experiment to Investigate Transport Processes in a Saturated Groundwater Zone, Electric Power Research Institute, Report No. EA-4082 (1985).Google Scholar
8. Summers, K.V., Rupp, G.L., and Gherini, S.A., Ground Water Data Analyses at Utility Waste Disposal Sites, Electric Power Research Institute, Report No. EA-4165 (1985).Google Scholar
9. Stolzenburg, T.R. and Nichols, D.G., Preliminary Results: Chemical Changes in Groundwater Samples Due to Sampling Devices, Electric Power Research Institute, Report No. EA-4418 (1985).Google Scholar
10. Rai, D. and Zachera, J.M., Geochemistryof Cr(III) and Cr(IV), Electric Power Research institute, Draft Report (1985).Google Scholar