In this blog, we will focus on filter press dewatering and wastewater treatment solutions for coal ash. Coal fly ash is produced as a byproduct from the burning of coal in coal-fired power plants. It is one of the largest types of industrial waste generated in the U.S. There are literally hundreds of unlined coal ash ponds in the United States and, unfortunately, the contaminants from the ponds are leaking into waterways & groundwater, putting our nation’s drinking water supplies at risk.
Filter Press Solutions for Coal Ash Pond Remediation
Proper Coal Ash Treatment Solutions Are Needed To Address Potentially Toxic Contaminants in Coal Combustion Residuals
According to Earthjustice, an environmental law organization, coal ash – also known as Coal Combustion Residuals (CCRs) – is linked to serious human health problems.
Coal ash contains toxic contaminants like mercury, cadmium, and arsenic and without adequate coal ash remediation & proper wastewater management, these contaminants can pollute our waterways and groundwater, threatening our precious drinking water supplies and contributing to potential short-term & long-term human health issues. Long-term exposure to CCRs, for instance, may potentially lead to cardiac arrhythmias, kidney damage, liver damage, and various cancers.
Did You Know that in the United States there are literally hundreds of leaking coal ash ponds (or unlined sludgy basins) – typically next to coal-fired power plants. Such ponds, each typically spanning many acres, are often located close to communities and water bodies.
Based on the industry’s own data, more than 95% of the coal ash ponds in the United States are unlined.
Readers of this blog may well be aware of the large coal ash spills near Kingston, TN (2008) and Eden, NC (2014) which caused significant environmental & economic damage to waterways and communities. The TN incident spilled over a billion gallons of coal fly ash slurry. There were ~40 deaths and 250+ illnesses related to the cleanup, the largest industrial spill in US history.
Strengthening Protections: Ensuring Safe Disposal of Coal Ash Act
The EPA Administrator signed the Disposal of CCRs from Electric Utilities Final Rule on December 19, 2014 and it was published in the Federal Register in April 2015. This Rule finalized regulations to provide a comprehensive set of requirements for the safe disposal of CCRs from coal-fired power plants. Beginning in 2018, coal-fired electric utilities were required to publicly and transparently report groundwater monitoring data based on the CCRs Residuals Rule.
Currently, there is legislation recently introduced in the House of Representatives, Ensuring Safe Disposal of Coal Ash Act, to further strengthen the protections outlined in the 2015 Coal Ash Rule. This builds upon the CLEAN Future Act.
Micronics: Providing Filter Press Solutions for Coal Ash Pond Remediation
Good news – The coal industry is making progress in handling its coal combustion wastes. Most coal-fired power plants are preparing to or are currently removing their coal ash wastewater ponds.
And with these efforts, it is reassuring to know that Micronics is experienced with Coal Fly Ash Remediation Solutions. Did You Know that Micronics designs, engineers & manufactures large Filter Presses suitable for these large-scale coal fly ash applications? We have excellent experience in wastewater treatment solutions for the power industry and in meeting regulations for the Disposal of CCRs. Our large, automatic Filter Presses for Fly Ash clean-up are typically equipped with electro-hydraulic plate shifters, automatic drip trays, and safety light curtains for automated, clean-tech needs.
Micronics offers a full range of industry-leading Filter Press Solutions for demanding applications such as our fast cycling, quickest cloth washing, unmanned Rollbar Filter Press shown here. Our filter press range runs from our bench-scale 150mm MicroPress for pilot testing up to 600 cubic foot capacity presses. We offer both stationery and mobile, trailer-mounted solutions, depending on your specific project requirements.
You can count on Micronics for the best in filter media as well, whether our Replacement Filter Press Cloth for the power industry, or our Belt Filter media. Our superb knowledge in both filter press media and filtration equipment is unparalleled, with many years of extensive field experience.
Micronics, as always, is pleased to partner with leading engineering firms, systems integrators, and power clients in accelerating the progress in effectively dealing with coal ash wastewater ponds and alternative solutions for the planet and for communities. Micronics is committed to supporting human health and environmental protection with our Total Engineered Filtration Solutions.
Contact Us to put our Filter Press Solutions to work for smartly dealing with your CCR wastewater & Coal Ash Remediation projects.
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Micronics Is Your Trusted Partner for Total Engineered Filtration Solutions. We offer end-to-end solutions from Filter Media to Industry-Leading Filtration Equipment, to Spare Parts & Accessories, to On-Site Field Services and In-House Laboratory Services. Whether for your Filter Press, Belt Press, Leaf Filter, Vacuum Filter, or Baghouse, you can count on Micronics’ deep industry and applications knowledge for the right engineered filtration solution to meet your needs. We look forward to working with your team.