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Improved Leach Testing for Evaluating Fate of Mercury and Other Metals from Management of Coal Combustion Residues
Citation:
THORNELOE, S., D. Kosson, F. Sanchez, BERNIE KHAN, AND P. KARIHER. Improved Leach Testing for Evaluating Fate of Mercury and Other Metals from Management of Coal Combustion Residues. Presented at Global Waste Management Symposium, Copper Mountain, CO, September 07 - 10, 2008.
Impact/Purpose:
symposium paper
Description:
Coal-fired power plants, the largest domestic source of atmospheric mercury emissions in the U.S., are also a major emission source of nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (S02), and particulate matter (PM). In response to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) and concern for mercury emissions, multi-pollutant control technologies are being installed at U.S. coal-fired power plants to reduce emissions of concern. Multi-pollutant control technologies include the use of fabric filters, electrostatic precipitators (ESPs), oxidizing chemicals, sorbents, and wet scrubbers. Pollutants of concern are being transferred from the flue gas to the fly ash and other air pollution control residues. The properties of fly ash, scrubber residues, and other coal combustion residues (CCRs) may change as a result of implementation of multi-pollutant control technologies. The characteristics of these residues and how they are managed will influence whether mercury and other pollutants being controlled at the power plant are being released later through cross media transfer. In 2006, EPA issued the Mercury Roadmap, which describes progress to date in addressing mercury sources and identifies priority activities for addressing remaining mercury risks. A key scientific question to be addressed is: What is the fate of mercury and other metals from the management of residues resulting from the implementation of multi-pollutant control technologies at coal-fired power plants? Meeting the commitment made in the Mercury Roadmap is challenging due to a wide range of CCR management practices and lack of data that allows comparison between CCR materials and these management practices. This paper provides an overview of ongoing research to evaluate the fate of mercury and other metals from the management of CCRs through either beneficial use or land disposal.
URLs/Downloads:
Global Waste Management Symposium Program
NRMRL RTP P 1004.PDF (PDF, NA pp, 132 KB, about PDF)