Ash pond: Difference between revisions

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Latest revision as of 16:27, 16 February 2025

Ash Pond[edit]

An ash pond is a type of surface impoundment used for the disposal of coal combustion residuals (CCR), commonly known as coal ash. These ponds are typically located near coal-fired power plants and are designed to store the byproducts of coal combustion, such as fly ash, bottom ash, and flue-gas desulfurization materials.

Design and Construction[edit]

Ash ponds are engineered structures that are constructed to contain the waste materials produced by coal-fired power plants. They are usually lined with clay or synthetic liners to prevent the leaching of contaminants into the surrounding environment. The design of an ash pond includes embankments or dikes to contain the ash slurry, which is a mixture of water and ash.

Environmental Concerns[edit]

Ash ponds have been a subject of environmental concern due to the potential for groundwater contamination and the release of toxic substances such as arsenic, lead, and mercury. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the United States has established regulations to manage and monitor the safety of ash ponds to mitigate these risks.

Closure and Remediation[edit]

The closure of ash ponds involves dewatering the pond and stabilizing the remaining ash. This process may include capping the pond with a cover system to prevent water infiltration and the release of contaminants. Remediation efforts are often necessary to restore the site and prevent future environmental impacts.

Related Pages[edit]

Coal

Coal types by grade (lowest to highest)	* Xylit Peat¹ Lignite Sub-bituminous coal Bituminous coal Anthracite Graphite¹
Coal combustion	* Ash pond Asian brown cloud Asthma Black coal equivalent Char Charcoal Coal combustion products fired power station gas phase-out pollution mitigation power in China power in the United States preparation plant seam fire tar Coke Coking Energy value Flue gas Fly ash Fossil fuel Fossil fuel phase-out Great Smog of London Greenhouse gas emissions Metallurgical coal NOx Smog Sulfur dioxide Toxic heavy metals
Coal mining	* Blackdamp Black lung disease Coal dust Coalfields Coal gas homogenization liquefaction mining disasters in the United States mining region refuse slurry town Environmental issues in Appalachia Environmental justice and coal mining in Appalachia Firedamp Health and environmental impact of the coal industry Health effects of coal ash History of coal mining Hydrogen sulfide Mining regions Outbursts Peak coal Problems in coal mining Refined coal Whitedamp

Note: [1] Peat is considered a precursor to coal. Graphite is only technically considered a coal type.

Human impact on the environment

General	* Anthropocene Environmental issues list of issues Human impact on marine life List of global issues Impact assessment Planetary boundaries
Causes	* Agriculture animal agriculture cannabis cultivation irrigation meat production cocoa production palm oil Bitcoin Energy industry biofuels biodiesel coal nuclear power oil shale petroleum reservoirs Genetic pollution Environmental crime Explosives Industrialisation Land use Manufacturing cleaning agents concrete fashion plastics nanotechnology paint paper pesticides pharmaceuticals and personal care Marine life fishing fishing down the food web marine pollution overfishing Mining Overconsumption Overdrafting Overexploitation Overgrazing Particulates Pollution Quarrying Reservoirs Tourism Transport aviation rail roads shipping Urbanization urban sprawl War
Effects	* Biodiversity threats biodiversity loss decline in amphibian populations decline in insect populations Climate change runaway climate change Coral reefs Deforestation Defaunation Desertification Ecocide Erosion Environmental degradation Freshwater cycle Habitat destruction Holocene extinction Nitrogen cycle Land degradation Land consumption Land surface effects on climate Loss of green belts Phosphorus cycle Ocean acidification Ozone depletion Resource depletion Water degradation Water scarcity
Mitigation	* Alternative fuel vehicle propulsion Birth control Cleaner production Climate change mitigation Climate engineering Community resilience Cultured meat Decoupling Ecological engineering Environmental engineering Environmental mitigation Industrial ecology Mitigation banking Organic farming Recycling Reforestation urban Restoration ecology Sustainable consumption Waste minimization

* Commons

Retrieved from "https://wikimd.com/index.php?title=Ash_pond&oldid=6300450"

Categories:

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 == Ash Pond ==
-An '''ash pond''', also known as a '''coal ash basin''', is a type of engineered structure used for the disposal of [[coal combustion residuals]] (CCR), commonly known as coal ash. These ponds are typically located at [[coal-fired power plants]] and are designed to store the byproducts of coal combustion, which include fly ash, bottom ash, and flue gas desulfurization materials.
+[[File:Coal_power_plant_by_Portage,_Wisconsin.jpg|thumb|right|A coal power plant near Portage, Wisconsin, which may utilize ash ponds for waste management.]]
+An '''ash pond''' is a type of [[surface impoundment]] used for the disposal of [[coal combustion residuals]] (CCR), commonly known as [[coal ash]]. These ponds are typically located near [[coal-fired power plants]] and are designed to store the byproducts of coal combustion, such as [[fly ash]], [[bottom ash]], and [[flue-gas desulfurization]] materials.
 == Design and Construction ==
-Ash ponds are usually constructed as earthen embankments or diked reservoirs. They are designed to contain the ash slurry, which is a mixture of water and ash. The water in the slurry allows the ash to settle at the bottom of the pond, while the water is either recycled back into the plant or treated and discharged.
+Ash ponds are engineered structures that are constructed to contain the waste materials produced by coal-fired power plants. They are usually lined with clay or synthetic liners to prevent the leaching of contaminants into the surrounding environment. The design of an ash pond includes embankments or dikes to contain the ash slurry, which is a mixture of water and ash.
-The design of an ash pond must consider factors such as the volume of ash produced, the topography of the site, and the potential environmental impacts. Proper lining and monitoring systems are essential to prevent the leaching of contaminants into the surrounding soil and groundwater.
 == Environmental Concerns ==
-Ash ponds have been a significant environmental concern due to the potential for [[groundwater contamination]] and catastrophic failures. The ash contains heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, and mercury, which can leach into the groundwater if the pond is not properly lined.
+[[File:Coal_power_plant_by_Portage,_Wisconsin.jpg|thumb|left|Coal power plants produce significant amounts of ash that require careful management.]]
-In recent years, there have been several high-profile ash pond failures, such as the 2008 [[Kingston Fossil Plant coal fly ash slurry spill]] in Tennessee, which released over a billion gallons of ash slurry into the surrounding environment.
-== Regulations and Management ==
-In response to environmental concerns, the [[United States Environmental Protection Agency]] (EPA) has implemented regulations to manage coal ash disposal. The [[Coal Combustion Residuals Rule]] establishes requirements for the safe disposal of coal ash, including the closure of unlined ash ponds and the monitoring of groundwater.
+Ash ponds have been a subject of environmental concern due to the potential for [[groundwater]] contamination and the release of [[toxic substances]] such as [[arsenic]], [[lead]], and [[mercury]]. The [[Environmental Protection Agency]] (EPA) in the United States has established regulations to manage and monitor the safety of ash ponds to mitigate these risks.
-Power plants are increasingly moving towards dry ash handling systems and the closure of existing ash ponds to comply with these regulations and reduce environmental risks.
+== Closure and Remediation ==
-== Alternatives to Ash Ponds ==
+The closure of ash ponds involves dewatering the pond and stabilizing the remaining ash. This process may include capping the pond with a cover system to prevent water infiltration and the release of contaminants. Remediation efforts are often necessary to restore the site and prevent future environmental impacts.
-As environmental regulations become stricter, power plants are exploring alternatives to ash ponds. These include converting to dry ash handling systems, recycling ash for use in [[construction materials]] such as concrete, and developing new technologies for ash disposal.
+== Related Pages ==
-== Also see ==
+* [[Coal combustion residuals]]
-* [[Coal Combustion Residuals]]
+* [[Fly ash]]
-* [[Fly Ash]]
+* [[Bottom ash]]
-* [[Environmental Impact of Coal]]
+* [[Flue-gas desulfurization]]
-* [[Kingston Fossil Plant coal fly ash slurry spill]]
+* [[Environmental Protection Agency]]
-* [[Coal-fired power plant]]
 {{Coal}}
@@ Line 36: / Line 31: @@
 [[Category:Waste management]]
-[[Category:Environmental impact of coal]]
+[[Category:Environmental engineering]]
-[[Category:Pollution]]
+[[Category:Coal technology]]