Coal Waste Impoundments Risks, Responses, and Alternatives (2002) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:
1 Introduction
1 Introduction
Pages 17-34
The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.
From page 17... ...
Finally, we review the tasks and activities of this committee. COAL PRODUCTION AND USE IN THE UNITED STATES Coal is the largest single source of fuel for domestic energy production.
|
From page 18... ...
Although some 300 different coal beds are mined each year, almost 47 percent of total production comes from just 10 of the largest deposits. Important coal deposits east of the Mississippi, are found in 10 states (Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia)
|
From page 19... ...
Surface mines produce all increased proportion of coal overall. · Longwall mining produces an increased Faction of coal mined underground.
|
From page 20... ...
Equipment currently used to mine and transport coal produces more fine coal particles than did earlier equipment. Rotating cutter heads, feeder-breakers, and transfer points in SIDEBAR 1.1 Underground Coal Mining Methods in the United States About 39 percent of coal produced in the' United States comes from underground mines (Chircop, 1999~.
|
From page 21... ...
End-use plants are engineered for optimal combustion to burn feedstock of a particular ash, sulfur, and energy content requirements rarely met by the n~n-of-mine coal or by coal from a single source (Figure 1.2~. These combustion requirements have been the impetus for all upstream process changes, including the search for coal of low sulfur content, improved coarse and fine coal cleaning processes, in addition to several disposal and environmental laws.
|
From page 22... ...
to comply with these regulations. In an effort to produce coals that allow power plant operators to comply win standards established by the Clean Air Act, various methods of removing pyrite (FeS2)
|
From page 23... ...
COAL REFUSE IMPOUNDMENTS IN THE UNITED STATES Coal refuse disposal impoundments are constructed for the permanent disposal of any coal, rock, and related material removed from a coal mine in the process of mining. Standard classification of coal slurry impoundments includes the following: · Active In operation and receiving slurry.
|
From page 24... ...
Much of that material is stored in coal waste impoundments. Disposal methods for coarse and fine coal refuse developed along separate lines.
|
From page 25... ...
Around 1957, as part of its surface mining operations, the Buffalo Mining Company (a subsidiary of the PiKston Coal Company) had begun depositing mine waste consisting of rock and coal in Middle Fork.
|
From page 26... ...
SIDEBAR 1.4 August 14, 1977: Island Creek Coal Company, Boone County, West Virginia An embankment under construction failed at Island Creek Coal Company's impoundment in Boone County, West Virginia, on August 14, 1977. Heavy rainfall overflowed a temporary diversion ditch, causing the water level in the impoundment to rise.
|
From page 27... ...
The rupture released nearly 23 million gallons of water, slurry, and fine coal refuse. The exact cause of the accident was not identified but was probably a combination of factors: (1)
|
From page 28... ...
SIDEBAR 1.8 May 22, 1994: Martin County Coal Corporation, Davella, Kentucky On May 22, 1994, a breakthrough occurred at Martin County Coal Corporation's Big Hollow slurry impoundment in Davella, Kentucky. Nearly 32 million gallons of black water inundated an abandoned and sealed-off portion of the mine.
|
From page 29... ...
SIDEBAR 1.10 October 24, 1996: Lone Mountain Processing Incorporated, St. Charles, Virginia On October 24, 1996, a second breakthrough occurred at Lone Mountain Processing's Miller Cove impoundment, but in another area of the abandoned mine.
|
From page 30... ...
SOURCE: Michalek et al., 1996. SIDEBAR 1.12 October 11, 2000: Martin County Coal Corporation, Inez, Kentucky On October 11, 2000, a coal waste impoundment of the Martin County Coal's preparation plant near Inez, Kentucky, released slurry containing an estimated 250 million gallons of water and 31 million gallons of coal waste into local streams.
|
From page 31... ...
IMPOUNDMENT HAZARD RANKING SYSTEMS MSHA bases its hazard potential rating system on the height of the embankment, the volume of material impounded, and the downstream effects of an impoundment failure (MSHA, 1974, 1983~. The resulting three classifications are: Low Hazard Po ten tint Facilities in rural areas where failure would cause only slight damage, such as to farm buildings, forest, agricultural land, or minor roads.
|
From page 32... ...
, motivated Congress to direct MSHA to commission an independent study of current coal waste disposal methods and an exploration of alternatives for future disposal of coal waste. In addition, Congress directed that the study examine engineering standards for coal waste impoundments, and recommend ways to improve the stabilization of impoundment structures.
|
From page 33... ...
The Statement of Task lists the following specific tasks: Engineering Standards/Barrier Stability/Monitoring Examine current engineering practices for coal waste impoundments and provide recommendations for improving engineering practices, including impoundment structure stabilization. What alternative means are available to evaluate or confirm the safety of the designed barriers protecting slurry impoundments?
|
From page 34... ...
Chapter 2 gives an overview of the regulatory framework for coal waste impoundments. Chapter 3 examines issues related to the engineering design for coal refuse facilities.
|
Key Terms
This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
More
information on Chapter Skim is available.