Case Study: Coal-burning power plants

Daily, the typical coal-burning power plant generates tremendous amounts of residual ash, called fly ash. There are beneficial reuses of fly ash if it is of a particular consistency and quality; but, most of it must be disposed of in monofills. If fly ash is left uncovered and becomes wind blown, it can become an environmental nightmare for surrounding communities. The EPA, in recent legislation, has imposed strict penalties on power plants who have failed to comply with new regulations it has handed down for the containment of wind-blown fly ash.

Wind blown fly ash has no favorite season or time of year. Over the years, power plants that have used up to six inches of soil to cover their fly ash, are finding that their onsite monofill’s are running out of space. Consequently, the list is getting smaller and smaller of outside landfills that are willing to accept fly ash.

Posi-Shell has become the favorite cover system of electric power plants around the US because it controls fugitive fly ash dust. In addition, Posi-Shell saves valuable airspace and operating expense because no longer do power plants need to transport and cover fly ash with 6 -12” of soil.

AES Cayuga, Duke Power, TVA and Dominion Power are just a few companies that recognize the benefits of Posi-Shell to help them maintain EPA compliance for controlling fly ash. Posi-Shell can be used for daily cover or long term cover. Other times it may be used on more of an interim basis prior to windy, dry seasons, etc.

Landfill Service Corporation has geared its products, equipment options, and qualified staff of technical personnel to be ready to respond to the various needs that a power authority may have. If the site requires normal daily cover, we can train the personnel at the plant to do the work. We will determine what equipment is right for the job. If it is a short-term project, our short-term equipment lease program may be the solution. For long-term projects, our long-term lease or our equipment purchase plan may be a better option.

If the challenges don't require regular use of the system, but are more interim oriented, LSC can locate a certified local contractor or train a contractor you currently outsource, to perform the work.

Case Study: Environmental Protection

In 2007 a major US chemical firm took steps to implement a complete closure plan on an old 16-acre, 40-foot high, metallic fines site. The site had become an environmental concern because of erosion caused by contaminated run-off and fugitive dust.
The firm worked diligently to submit its closure plan document, which was approved by the State Regulatory Agency. As the capping project was about to begin, a group of local citizens asked for the closure plan to be stayed in favor of total removal of the site’s material to another location away from the area. This request brought all plans to a screeching halt as a total removal strategy would require a complete rework of the plans.

As regulators, client representatives and citizen groups went to task negotiating a removal strategy; interim remediation was required because the erosion issues continued. Engineering groups began to search for a solution to the site’s ongoing environmental problems. Not knowing how long the impasse would last, they set out to find a product that would stop the erosion, be easy to apply and, be cost effective.

Their search was short because engineers at the plant were very familiar with the Posi-Shell Cover System which had a 10-year history solving erosion problems at another location this multi-national company. They hired a large environmental contractor that opted for Landfill Service Corporation’s short term equipment lease program and our Posi-Shell Advanced Formula (AF) designed for erosion control. It was a perfect solution for the contractor because no one could predict the duration of the project due to the on-going remedial negotiations. In fact, many contractors tell us that the combination of our short-term lease plan and our matched component, AF formulation enables them to easily maintain and monitor control over their billable hours.

Because the dispute over the removal of this site could go on indefinitely, our Posi-Shell Standard Formulation would enable them to lay down a cover built to withstand nature’s pounding for years with minimal, if any, touch up required.

It has been nearly two years since Posi-Shell was applied. The basic touch up work that we suggested has been done from time to time. The client recently told us that Posi-Shell has performed well beyond their wildest expectations and has “held up beautifully.”

“The extent of touch up required is exactly what you told us to expect, the area is now under control,” the client told us.

LSC can assure all our prospective clients that when you are in need of solutions to erosion, odor, dust or other environmental problems, we are always here to assist you. We analyze each and every project with your needs and budget in mind. Our motto has always been “we will never promise something we can’t deliver!”