Practical Considerations for the Management and Closure of Wet Coal Ash Pond Systems

摘要

The continued uncertainty surrounding the US-EPA Proposed Rule for Coal Ash Residuals (CCRs) has encouraged many electric power utilities to consider an early closure of their wet coal ash pond management systems. Many coal combustion power plants that use wet ponds for processing, dewatering and storage of coal ash will be phased out in the next two to ten years. This paper reviews some of the key technical, financial and regulatory considerations that may be needed in preparation for the eventual closure of typical wet coal ash ponds. Practical methods to focus the feasibility study and design process will be explained using several project examples. This paper will identify the factors that need to be understood to facilitate the design and closure of fly ash ponds. The use of a Focused Feasibility Study (FFS) as the framework for developing this understanding will be presented.