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Scientific Basis for Effective Fly Ash Disposal

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 February 2011

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

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