ABSTRACT
The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) has sponsored research in solid waste environmental studies designed to develop knowledge for efficient, environmentally sound, cost-effective management of solid residues from coal combustion. These residues have been characterized physically and chemically. Water-soluble components have been extracted, identified, and recovered in leachates from the residues in laboratory and field studies. Geochemical parameters of dissolution/precipitation, adsorption/desorption, and oxidation/reduction have been used to evaluate solubility-controlling factors involved in leachates from the residues. Computer models have been developed to predict geochemical transformations, leaching and hydrologic transport of the elements in the natural environment. The data collected have been used as inputs into the models to verify solubility-controlling factors. The models can also be used for specific cases to evaluate coal combustion residue disposal types and methods in specific hydrological settings.
