Why "FLY ASH"/"COAL ASH" treated with MBS will save the Power Plant Industry $MILLIONS:
WHAT IS FLY ASH?
Fly ash is one of the residues generated in combustion, and comprises the fine particles that rise with the flue gases. Ash which does not rise is termed bottom ash. In an industrial context, fly ash usually refers to ash produced during combustion of coal. Fly ash is generally captured by electrostatic precipitators or other particle filtration equipment before the flue gases reach the chimneys of coal-fired power plants, and together with bottom ash removed from the bottom of the furnace is in this case jointly known as coal ash. Depending upon the source and makeup of the coal being burned, the components of fly ash vary considerably.
HERE'S THE PROBLEM:
Toxic constituents depend upon the specific coal bed makeup, but may include one or more of the following elements or substances in quantities from trace amounts to several percent: arsenic, beryllium, boron, cadmium, chromium, chromium VI, cobalt, lead, manganese, mercury, molybdenum, selenium, strontium, thallium, and vanadium.
In the past, fly ash was generally released into the atmosphere, but pollution control equipment mandated in recent decades now require that it be captured prior to release. In the US, fly ash is generally stored at coal power plants or placed in hazardous landfills. About 43% is recycled, often used to supplement Portland cement in concrete production
HERE'S THE SOLUTION:
GTGP has already reconfirmed the remediation of the contaminated ash by-product at Power Plants using MBS. The value of this one benefit alone, to the Power Plant Industry cannot be understated. Treating hazardous waste, (the handling, transporting, and disposal in a hazardous landfill) costs three to four times as much as non-hazardous waste. This is critical because GTGP can treat the contaminated fly ash that is being stored at all of the power plants so then it can safely be removed to regular landfills rather than be categorized as hazardous waste. THAT is what will save the Power Plant Industry huge money.
ANOTHER REASON THAT THE POWER PLANTS NEED GTGP/MBS:
Environmental groups sue over coal ash
The Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) said June 7 that it has filed suit to stop arsenic contamination of the Waccamaw River and groundwater at the coal-fired Grainger plant of Santee Cooper (officially known as the South Carolina Public Service Authority).
At the facility, Santee Cooper’s coal ash lagoons are unlined and store 650,000 tons of coal ash, the center said. The arsenic pollution enters the Waccamaw River upstream from intakes for public drinking water and upstream from the Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge, it added. The center filed suit on behalf of several groups - the Waccamaw Riverkeeper, the Coastal Conservation League and the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy.
“To stop contamination and prevent further risk to the environment, we’re asking that the coal ash be removed from beside the river, moved to a lined landfill away from wetlands and rivers, and stored in a safe, dry state,”
This is only ONE Power Plant, and they have 650,000 TONS to be removed as Hazardous Waste. IF ONLY processed at $100/ton, it will cost this Power Plant $65 MILLION, but in reality, if they remove it as Hazardous Waste, then it will cost closer to $200 MILLION. Also, this particular Power Plant recycles as much as 90% of combustion byproducts. This gives you an idea of just how much fly ash/coal ash byproducts that there are that the Power Plants need to deal with. Just one example of the potential market that GTGP/MBS will be tapping into.
The Environmental Protection Agency’s has what is being called “ill-advised plans” for coal ash regulation. EPA in 2010 proposed two forms of ash regulation. One was more industry friendly and would classify it as a regular waste, but the other would classify it as a toxic waste, which the utility industry said would explode its disposal costs and lead to the closure of a number of coal-fired power plants.
Note: EPA has previously conducted two studies on coal ash and determined it was not a hazardous material. Some of this battle seems to be politically motivated imo. The ash provision in the transportation bill would leave ash oversight to the states.
GTGP's MBS will end up making the safest, and most economical solution, no matter what the EPA, or the individual states decide.
Go GTGP!
AI
