BIOS, ABSTRACTS, PHOTOS
October 3, 2013
“Coal Ash, CCR Issues, Standards and Solutions”
DALE TIMMONS – NAES CORP.
BIO: Mr. Timmons is a program manager for business development at NAES Corporation. He has more than 25 years experience in management of hazardous and radioactive waste with emphasis on the immobilization of RCRA metals and radionuclides using a variety of waste treatment technologies. He is a registered geologist and hydrogeologist and developed or played a key role in the development, scale-up and field deployment of three waste processing technologies. He was also an instructor for the U.S. EPA on techniques for immobilization of metals in hazardous waste. Mr. Timmons has a demonstrated track record of success in business development, personnel management, technology transfer and technology commercialization including the development and implementation of strategies to optimize operating and financial performance.
ABSTRACT: The EPA's proposed rule changes for coal combustion residues (CCR) and Effluent Limitations Guidelines (ELG) are changing how coal plants need to handle combustion by-products and wastewater. NAES Corporation and GEA EGI have teamed to deploy Circumix Dense Slurry System (DSS) technology in North America. DSS is a proven and commercially deployed technology that uses wastewater (including FGD water) to stabilize ash products. The process results in: 1) zero discharge of transport water, 2) non-dusting product, 3) solid product exhibiting low hydraulic conductivity and high compressional strength and that satisfies all of the challenges presented by the proposed CCR and ELG rules. This process is less expensive than traditional "dry" ash management systems and facilitates use of existing plant infrastructure for ash management conversion. Details regarding the historical use, performance data and processing details will be discussed.
RON GRABOWSKI – CLYDE BERGEMANN POWER GROUP AMERICAS, INC.
BIO: With over 34 years experience in the ash handling industry, Ron has held positions in sales, marketing, service and engineering. Ron is currently the Vice President of Business Development for the materials handling business unit of Clyde Bergemann Power Group America.
ABSTRACT: Bottom ash handling continues to be the focus of a new wave of environmental concern. Today's coal fired power plants are faced with aging bottom ash systems and uncertain environmental regulations. Coal plants look to the industry for solutions. In this secession we will examine the options available to handle bottom ash without the use of ash pond storage.
DOUGLAS DAHLBERG – SARGENT & LUNDY LLC
BIO: B.S. Civil/Environmental Engineering, University of Wisconsin Madison, 1978
M.B.A. Olivet University Bourbonnais, Illinois, 1997
Professional Engineer, Wisconsin, New York
Doug Dahlberg has 34 years experience focused in ash, municipal and hazardous waste landfills, ponds, and containment facilities. Specific aspects include site selection, permitting, operations, construction plans and specifications, investigations, closure, remediation, construction observation/documentation, and long-term care.
For the last 14 years at Sargent & Lundy, he has worked exclusively on ash fills, site development, and storm water design/permitting for electrical generating plants. His general background includes work at 130 landfills, 93 power plants (coal, nuclear, gas, and oil-fired), and 27 industrial facilities. Additional experience includes CERCLA and RCRA compliance and RI/FS, phase 1, 2, and 3 environmental assessments, remediation, risk and liability evaluations, quality control, construction and operation storm water pollution prevention plans, erosion and sediment control compliance, and cost estimates.
ABSTRACT: Proposed U.S. EPA Coal Combustion Residual Regulations Maximize and Transition Your Existing Disposal Site
The electrical generating community is well aware of the 2010 U.S. EPA-proposed first-time nationwide regulations for disposal of coal combustion residuals (CCRs). Since the proposed rule was published, a flurry of Bills introduced in the US Congress, are steering the final rule to classify CCRs under Subtitle D, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), similar to Municipal Waste.
The June 7, 2013 Code of Federal Regulations, Effluent Limitations Guidelines (ELG) and Standards for the Steam Electric Power Generating Point Source Category Proposed Rule stated: “reliance on (current) data… coupled with the ELG proposed requirements could provide strong support for a conclusion that regulation of CCR disposal under Subtitle D would be adequate.”
Speculation on final regulation publishing timing ranges from October 2013 to the end of 2014.
We know new disposal site construction requirements and estimated costs. The critical question for your plant is “how to transition your current disposal operation with minimum impacts and expense?” Timely budget planning, decisions, and actions are necessary to ensure a smooth transition.
Whether your current disposal operation is wet or dry bottom/fly ash/FGD byproducts, above or below grade, permanent disposal or transfer, your basic choices include:
• Close and cap your current disposal operation?
• Transition the existing site to comply with new requirements?
• Develop a separate new compliant disposal facility?
Regardless of whether your existing disposal site is lined, monitored, or impacts groundwater, the best option may to combine the disposal steps by continuing to use the disposal site, close and continue to operate in compliance with the new rules, on the former disposal area.
This paper presents an up-to-the moment rule status summary, critical points of the CCR proposal with regard to existing operations, and offers engineering solutions available for compliance and plant transition, and to best utilize your existing disposal site. Your site is unique and so will be your disposal decisions.
WILLIAM
BETKE - GSE
BIO: Bill joined GSE in July of 2011. For eleven years prior to joining GSE, Mr. Betke was associated with providing engineered solutions to environmental issues faced by coal-burning electric utility enterprises.
Before joining Alliant, Mr. Betke held increasingly responsible executive positions with GE over a fifteen year period. Mr. Betke is an MBA graduate of the University of Pittsburgh and holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the Pennsylvania State University.
STEVEN MAYES - GSE
BIO: Steve is the Senior Technical Manager in North America for GSE and a licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Kentucky. Steve provides technical related consultative services, pertaining to GSE’s Coal Ash Barrier System, to the engineering, regulatory, and power utility communities. He has a consulting background with geotechnical engineering and stormwater management design experience in both the private and public market sectors. Steve is a graduate of the University of Louisville with a M.E. degree in Civil Engineering.
ABSTRACT: Topics: Advances in Geocomposite Fiter/Drainage, Geomembranes, Geosynthetic Clay Liners, Coal Ash Liner Systems, Coal Ash Capping Systems
Regulatory action mandating the first ever USA-wide standards for coal ash disposal is expected to be on the horizon. The standards are patterned after successful regulatory programs for managing municipal solid waste. The legislative and regulatory efforts require state-administered permit programs to create enforceable requirements for groundwater monitoring, lining of landfills, corrective action when environmental damage occurs and structural criteria.
The physical and chemical properties of coal combustion residuals (CCR) are particularly challenging, requiring special attention in design of the landfill. Understanding these challenges and identifying the options available to deal with the challenges are important steps toward providing effective solutions.
Power generators with coal-fired plants and the Consulting Engineers serving this market segment are seeking application-appropriate, cost-effective solutions to their coal ash management needs. The time to identify innovative solutions is during the conceptual design and permitting process.
GSE has engineered highly effective system solutions specifically designed for application to CCR. GSE offers geosynthetic alternatives to compacted clay and earthen filter/drainage materials that are more effective and more economical to install. These materials enable longer life disposal facilities because they take-up a fraction of the open space compared to compacted clay and earthen materials. Well-engineered systems are designed to minimize uncontrolled leachate leakage; thereby minimizing the risk of environmental damage.