When it comes to “clean coal,” talk to the experts at RPM Solutions. We’re a reclamation, ash management and environmental services company using proprietary equipment technology and refined operating skills to provide an innovative approach to coal yard reclamation, ash pond management and more.
“Clean coal” is a series of systems and technologies that seek to mitigate the pollution and other environmental effects normally associated with the burning of coal. Approaches attempt to mitigate emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases and radioactive materials that arise from the use of coal, mainly for electrical power generation.
Coal is the dirtiest of all fossil fuels. When burned, it produces emissions that create acid rain and pollute water. However, coal generates half of the electricity in the United States and will likely to do so as long as it’s cheap and plentiful. Clean coal technology seeks to reduce harsh environmental effects by using multiple technologies to clean coal and contain its emissions. Coal is a vital fuel in most parts of the world. 92% of the U.S. supply of coal goes into power production. 23% of primary energy needs are met by coal and 39% of all electricity in the U.S. is generated from coal. Coal is the world’s most abundant and widely distributed fossil fuel source.
“Clean coal” technologies can purify the coal before it burns. Coal washing removes unwanted minerals by mixing crushed coal with a liquid and allowing the impurities to separate and settle. Burning coal without adding to global dioxide levels is a major technological challenge which is being addressed.
For decades, “clean coal” has been a goal. It’s the idea that coal can be reshaped in a way that lets us keep using it without doing so much harm to the environment. The term “clean coal” has been applied to many technologies, ranging from wet scrubbers, which remove sulfur dioxide from coal-generated gas, to coal washing, which removes soil and rock from coal before it’s sent to a factory. When people talk about clean coal, they’re typically talking about something called carbon capture and storage (CCS). CCS technology has been around since the 1980s. CCS is meant to handle the big environmental nightmare, the heat-trapping gas largely responsible for carbon dioxide.
The term “clean coal” has been popularized by the coal industry, electric utilities and policy makers. It refers to the hopeful notion that technology will enable power plants to burn coal but release far less pollution. Since the early 2000s, there has been a wave of optimism that this technology could play a vital role in slowing climate change by cleaning up some of the biggest emitters of carbon pollution.
The most promising “clean coal” technology involves using the coal to make hydrogen from water, then burying the resultant carbon dioxide by-product and burning the hydrogen. The greatest challenge is bringing the cost of this down sufficiently for “clean coal” to compete with nuclear power on the basis of near-zero emissions from base-load power.
“Clean coal” technologies are paving the way so that the world’s enormous carbon resources can be utilized for future generations. Waste products can be used productively. Coal fly ash and bottom ash are used in building products. For example, fly ash can actually replace cement.
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies are in the forefront of measures to enjoy “clean coal.” And RPM Solutions is at forefront of “clean coal.” Contact us here.
RPM Solutions has years of experience managing coal combustion residuals (CCRs) in a safe and environmentally responsible way. Headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky, RPM Solutions is a reclamation, ash management and environmental services company using proprietary equipment technology and refined operating skills. RPM Solutions is committed to identifying solutions and utilizing best industry practices for recycling CCRs, which are valuable ingredients in cement production and concrete, asphalt, blasting grit and roof shingles.
Coal-fired electric generating stations and other large users of coal generate significant quantities of coal combustion residuals (CCRs), such as fly ash, bottom ash and boiler slag. Coal-fired plants generate millions of tons of waste each year in the form of combustion residuals. This material can contain mercury, cadmium, arsenic and other potentially harmful contaminants. Typically, electric utilities send their coal combustion residuals offsite or dispose of them in landfills and surface impoundments. Managing CCR is an increasing challenge as more questions are raised concerning its health and environmental impacts. Although there are many advantageous ways to use CCR, the success of a beneficial re-use program requires proper planning and notifications to federal, state and local regulators. Having worked with clients for years in addressing CCR issues, RPM Solutions has deep experience in managing CCRs.
Coal combustion residuals (CCRs) have historically been managed either in ponds (wet storage) or landfills (dry storage). Management in ponds is particularly prevalent in the eastern United States, where ponds vary in size.
The Disposal of Coal Combustion Residuals (CCRs) for Electric Utilities Rule became effective in 2015, by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The most significant provisions regarding the CCR landfills and surface impoundments have the stated intentions of reducing the potential for impoundment failures, protecting groundwater surrounding CCR management units and establishing clear operating and record-keeping requirements for electric companies that produce and manage CCRs and beneficially reuse Coal Combustion Products (CCPs). The CCR Rule provides two basic closure options: closure in place (CIP) and closure by removal (CBR). CIP is typically simpler and less costly than CBR. CBR might be considered when consolidating CCRs from smaller ponds into one location or if leaving the pond in place would have a significant long-term impact on groundwater and surface water.
Coal combustion residuals (CCRs) include a number of by-products produced from burning coal, including:
RPM Solutions designs structurally stable and environmentally secure landfills, impoundments and pond-to-landfill conversions for major electric power companies. RPM takes pride in developing innovative and cost-effective solutions for CCR disposal and we have saved clients lots of money.
RPM Solutions provides a range of technical services to help optimize efficiency and improve bottom line performance. For more information about putting the services of RPM Solutions to work regarding coal combustion residuals (CCRs), contact us here.
Coal pile management should begin with RPM Solutions, based in Lexington, Kentucky, serving clients throughout the eastern half of the United States. Effective coal pile management mandates keeping coal pile moisture as low as possible. Sealing coal piles against moisture and oxygen is the only practical way of preventing the deterioration of stored coal. Unsealed, coal piles are likely to have lower BTU values, burn less efficiently and bear the ravages of freezing and oxidation. RPM Solutions will keep you in compliance with the increasingly stringent guidelines set forth by the EPA and other regulatory agencies.
A coal stockpile is a pile or storage location for bulk materials. More controlled stockpiles are used in many different areas and are formed using stackers to form piles along the length of a conveyor and reclaimers to retrieve coal when required for product loading.
Spontaneous combustion is a common occurrence when storing coal for extended periods of time. This may be problematic when stockpiling waste/spoil materials that contain large quantities of coal. Coal naturally oxidizes over time. This causes an exothermic reaction that produces heat. The reaction is accelerated by the addition of further heat (sunlight, hot winds, etc.) If the heat from the coal oxidizing is trapped, it will continue to self-heat and will eventually rise above the ignition temperature. Once the ignition temperature is reached, the risk of spontaneous combustion is extremely high.
Mitigating the effects of factors responsible for augmentation of spontaneous combustion of coal:
Monitoring coal pile management is critically important. An early warning system to prevent the onset of fire remains the best and most reliable solution. The following methods are proposed for the monitoring process:
Monitoring is essential as a first measure for controlling spontaneous combustion of coal. Control measures need to be implemented when the temperature of the stockpile reaches to the level of 60°C to 70°C.
All of the preceding actions can and will help in saving coal as a commodity.
RPM Solutions, based in Lexington, Kentucky, is a reclamation, ash management and environmental services company using proprietary equipment technology and refined operating skills. When it comes to coal pile management, our operators bring a deep wealth of material handling and machining experience to every project. We differentiate ourselves through our advanced skills and preparation. RPM Solutions’ commitment to detail is the most important component of our success. For more information about putting the services of RPM Solutions to work regarding effective coal pile management, contact us here.
