hen coal combustion residuals (CCR), such as coal ash, fly ash, bottom ash, gypsum and other solids produced by coal-fired power plants are improperly stored, they can contaminate surrounding soil and ground and surface water, causing a host of environmental problems.

Covering legacy CCR stored in ponds, known as “cap in place,” is considered “safe under certain conditions” by EPA regulations. However, environmentalists and the public view it as inadequate due to its inherent drawbacks.

Utilities with legacy Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR), environmentalists, legislators, and energy end users all aim to ensure proper disposal of these materials. The primary goal is to recycle as much CCR as possible to prevent it from ending up in landfills. However, the large quantity of legacy CCR exceeds the current recycling capacity, necessitating innovative solutions to address the issue.

So there is a strong need to look beyond the current mindset, reset expectations, and deliver a new improved plan consisting of the other “recycling” called Encapsulated Beneficial Reuse.

Beneficiation is a simplified process for beneficiation or recycling and the federal CCR rule defines this as “a beneficial use of CCR that binds the CCR into a solid matrix that minimizes its mobilization into the surrounding environment.” So, CCR is repurposed to create building/construction products such as brick or aggregate, and as Portland cement (PC) substitute in concrete.

Encapsulated Beneficial Reuse (as construction fill) is another, often simpler, solution for beneficial use that deals with the remaining legacy coal ash. For many years, the utilization of Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR) as fill material, as opposed to soil, for the construction of embankments for landfills, highways, dikes, and levees has demonstrated itself to be an almost infallible and comprehensive beneficial practice.

Disposal – environmentally, the last resort – has historically been the first choice of utilities across the U.S. after cap in place efforts have been exhausted because disposal is relatively easy. However, it’s the last resort because the number of U.S. landfills is dwindling and they tend to be in remote locations.

EnCAP-IT has integrated its intellectual properties into its eMSE Structure designs (TOOLS) that:

• Isolates CCR 100% from the environment, preventing water infiltration and the leaching of metals
• Utilizes CCR in embankments, berms, engineered structural fills and other construction applications
• Maximizes environmental safeguards

• safeBERM® Construction Method to Create Bi-Directional Hydrostatic Barrier
• safeSTORAGE® Construction Method to Maximize Capacity for Coal Ash Beneficiation Storage
• safeBERM® Construction Method to Strengthen a Sloped Structure
• safeBERM® Construction Method to Create Flood Control Prevention
• safeSTORAGE® Construction Method to Reduce Ash Basin Retrofit Footprint
• safeBERM® Construction Method to Expand Landfill Capacity