During the past week, Geosynthetica has interviewed waste management operators, utilities, design engineering firms, geosynthetics manufacturers, and fabricators and installers about coal combustion residuals (CCRs). The interviews are part of a series of stories we will publish on the sector and participants in the Coal Ash Management Forum, which takes place July 21 and 22 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The event is organized by the Environmental Research & Education Foundation (EREF) and the National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA).
The comprehensive program includes:
- Perspectives on CCR Management
- Current Research on Coal Combustion Residuals
- Geotechnical and Other Design Considerations
- Transportation Considerations/Onsite vs Offsite Management
- Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) & Odor Management Issues
- Coal Generation/Management
- Leachate Management
- Ash Basin Closure Technologies and Moisture Management
- Case Studies
A session that is certain to grasp the attention of the geosynthetics industry is the 1:30 pm session on July 21. In it, Bob Bachus (Geosyntec), George Koerner (GSI), and Craig Benson (University of Virginia) will speak.
George Koerner, GSI Director, notes that with the help of Bachus they have created a session with interrelated but seldom repeating content. For example, in Koerner’s presentation on opportunities for geosynthetics in coal ash management engineering, he will address geomembranes in lining systems; whereas, Benson in his time will take on geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs).
NOTE: Geosynthetica’s Elizabeth Peggs interviewed Craig Benson and John Allen (CETCO) about GCLs in CCR management. That podcast may be listened to here.
In addition to geomembranes in engineered liner systems, Koerner will also focus on:
- Engineered berms
- Prefabricated vertical drains (PVDs) with high-strength geotextiles for soft-soil stabilization
- Floating covers on slurried ash
- Cover systems
Another session of note—and one that exemplifies the inclusiveness of dialogue at the Coal Ash Management Forum—will kick off the July 21 technical program. Moderated by Steve Menoff (Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc.), the 8:15 am session will deliver broad perspectives, including consultant, landfill operator, and utility insights. The speakers include Steve Dixon (Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc.), Harry Lamberton (Waste Management), and George Hamrick (Duke Energy).
“Not all ash is created equal,” Lamberton says.
The moisture content of an impoundment pond will determine, for example, the strategies that can be used to either remove moisture or condition the ash. This impacts design decisions for handling dewatering on site, if it can be done on site. Market factors (e.g., reuse) or ash characterization will determine if a monofill is the best solution or if it can be mixed in with municipal solid waste (as plenty of fly ash has been over the past 30 years).
The speakers will address the decision-making process, balancing long-term goals and obligations (e.g., the gaps and cross-over between air, water, and storage regulations), and finding efficiency in a changing sector.
COAL ASH MANAGEMENT FORUM PROGRAM
THURSDAY, JULY 21
8:00 – 8:15 am
Introduction/Welcome
Bryan Staley, Environmental Research & Education Foundation
Anne Germain, National Waste & Recycling Association
8:15 – 9:45 am
Perspectives on CCR Management
Steve Dixon, Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc.
Harry Lamberton, Waste Management
George Hamrick, Duke Energy
Moderator – Steve Menoff, Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc.
9:45 – 10:15 am
Break
10:15 AM – 12:15 pm
Current Research on Coal Combustion Residuals
John Daniels, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte (Beneficial Reuse of Coal Ash)
Ching-Hua Huang, Georgia Institute of Technology (FGD Brine Solubilization & Stabilization)
Maria Juenger, The University of Texas at Austin (Reducing Leaching in Coal Ash Landfills)
Vincent Ogunro, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte (Leachability and reuse of coal combustion by-products)
12:15 – 1:30 pm
Lunch
1:30 – 3:00 pm
Geotechnical and Other Design Considerations
Craig Benson, The University of Virginia
George Koerner, Geosynthetic Institute
Bob Bachus, Geosyntec Consultants
3:00 – 3:30 pm
Break
3:30 – 4:30 pm
Transportation Considerations/Onsite vs Offsite Management
Henry Duperier, Duke Energy
Ken Daly, Amec Foster Wheeler
4:30 – 5:30 pm
Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) & Odor Management Issues
Florentino De La Cruz, North Carolina State University
Jeff Marshall, SCS Engineers
6:00 – 8:00 pm
Networking Reception
FRIDAY, JULY 22
8:00 – 8:30 am
Overview of Coal Generation/Management
Jim Roewer, Utility Solid Waste Activities Group
8:30 – 10:00 am
Case Studies
Rick Buffalini, Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc. (Little Blue Run)
Gabe Lang, AECOM (TVA Gallatin Fossil Plant)
Don Grahlherr, Tetra Tech, Inc. (Energy Waste Management)
10:00 – 10:30 am
Break
10:30 – 11:45 am
Leachate Management
Tom Sandy, Brown & Caldwell
Ivan Cooper, Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc.
Ken Ladwig, Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI)
11:45 AM – 1:00 PM
Ash Basin Closure Technologies and Moisture Management
Matt Henry, Republic Services
Chris Hardin, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Learn more about the Coal Ash Management Forum at the event website:
https://erefdn.org/event/coal-ash-management-forum/
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Coming to Charlotte? Let Geosynthetica’s Editor Chris Kelsey know: chris@geosynthetica.net. He will be there, gathering information and prepping stories for the Coal Ash Series.
