Standard Guide for Characterization of Coal Combustion Products (CCPs) in Storage Area(s) for Beneficial Use

Importancia y uso:

4.1 Purpose—This guide provides a process for characterization of existing CCPs placed in active and inactive storage area(s) to assist in potential harvesting strategies. In this guide, information on the following activities required for the safe and effective characterization of CCPs from storage area(s) is included: (1) available site characterization information inventory/review, (2) available end use(s) information inventory/review, (3) end use(s) and level of confidence (Tiers I, II, and III) related to the CCP characterization selected and RDM; (4)CCP characterization plan development; and (5) CCP storage area(s) characterization report. More detailed descriptions of these activities are in Sections 6 – 10.

4.2 Potential Beneficial Use(s) of CCPs—There are many CCP storage area(s) that are potentially harvestable and can provide a functional benefit. The beneficial use of CCPs contained in these storage area(s) can have significant environmental and economic benefits for the user and can significantly reduce disposal operations (1-4).9 Beneficial use of CCPs can provide industry with a safe and responsible way to manage the CCPs economically, while promoting conservation and recycling, meeting sustainability goals, and addressing the shortage of CCPs in some building product market areas (1, 2, 5). CCPs consist of fly ash, bottom ash, boiler slag, FBC ash, economizer ash, and FGD material. End use(s) may include cement/concrete, light aggregate, flowable fill, controlled or structural fill, road base/subbase, soil amendment, waste stabilization/solidification, agriculture, grout, mineral filler, snow/ice traction control, blasting grit/abrasives, roofing granules, mining application, gypsum panel, and others (see Terminology E2201 for definitions of CCPs) (Sections 6 and 7).

4.2.1 Fly ash is the most abundant CCP in existing storage area(s). Its beneficial uses include, but are not limited to, partial replacement for cement in concrete and concrete products—once in concrete, fly ash reacts with Portland cement to create additional reaction products that improve the strength and durability of concrete; raw feed for the production of clinker —fly ash can be calcined along with other minerals to produce clinker; blended cements—fly ash can be an important component in the production of blended cement, especially when pozzolanic properties are desired; filler in plastics—fly ash typically increases the stiffness and compressive strength when used as a filler in plastics; CLSM—CLSM that include fly ash typically have improved flowability and strength as well as reduced bleeding and shrinkage; as a soil stabilization material; as an aggregate/soil replacement construction material in structural fill and mine reclamation projects; fillers in carpet backing—fly ash is a high-performance mineral filler; and as a solidification agent within landfills and remediation projects (Sections 6 – 9).

4.2.2 Bottom ash can be beneficially used as raw feed to produce clinker, as a component of structural fills, and as aggregate in the manufacturing of masonry products (Sections 6, 7, and 9).

4.2.3 Boiler slag can be used as blasting grits and roofing granules. Other applications include, but are not limited to, as a component of structural fills and mineral filler in asphalt (Sections 7 and 9).

4.2.4 FBC ash can be used in various mixtures as a low-strength concrete material and soil stabilization agent (Section 7).

4.2.5 FGD gypsum, in its majority, is typically beneficially used in gypsum panel products. Other uses include in agricultural applications to improve soil, as a component in structural fills, and as an important component in the production of cement (Sections 6, 7, and 9).

4.3 Approval Context—This guide does not supersede local, state, or country requirements, if applicable. This guide is intended to be used for storage area(s) that are both within an approval authority program and historic (or unpermitted) storage area(s).

4.3.1 For characterizing CCPs from storage area(s) for potential harvesting within an approval authority program, governing documents should be carefully reviewed and followed to establish that all requirements relative to harvesting design, operations, monitoring, closure, and post closure are followed or that agreements are established for compliance and allow for characterization activities.

4.3.2 For characterizing CCPs from historic (or unpermitted) storage area(s) for potential harvesting, the project team may engage with the appropriate local, state, province, country approval, or combination thereof, authorities to determine the appropriate requirements and should establish that the appropriate engineering controls and institutional controls are incorporated into the characterization project.

4.3.3 In addition to approvals related to the CCP storage area and harvesting activities, some jurisdictions may have a separate approval process for beneficial uses of materials. This approval process, often referred to as a beneficial use determination, may require characterization of the material and the beneficial use. Jurisdictions that require approval of beneficial use may also maintain exemptions or predeterminations for certain materials or beneficial uses.

4.4 Use of Guide—Approval authorities may incorporate this guide, in whole or part, into general guidance documents or site-specific approval documents.

4.5 Professional Judgment—This guide presumes the active involvement of an environmental professional who is knowledgeable in how to characterize CCP, design and construct storage area(s), and identify acceptable site conditions or, when appropriate, satisfy applicable statutory or approval authority limitations on the use of an operating, closed, or historic (unpermitted) storage area(s).

4.6 Inherent Uncertainty—Professional judgment, interpretation, and some uncertainties are inherent in the processes described herein even when decisions are based on objective scientific principles and accepted industry practices.

Subcomité:

E50.03

Volúmen:

11.06

Número ICS:

75.160.10 (Solid fuels)

Palabras clave:

beneficial use; coal combustion products; harvesting; sampling and analytical methods for minerals;