Meeting Regulations for Coal Fired Power Plants

Evoqua Water Technologies webinar includes an overview of Effluent Limitation Guidelines (ELGs), Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) wastewater treatment solution and case studies, CCRs regulation overview, and coal pile remediation solution and case studies. 

As our understanding grows regarding the newly promulgated USEPA Effluent Limitation Guidelines (ELGs) and Coal Combustion Residuals (CCRs) regulations, coal-fired power plants will need to make decisions related to environmental strategies, treatment technologies, and implementation plans. The new laws are interrelated and touch on almost all aspects of a plant's water balance. We will review key aspects of the regulations and the implications to system design and operation. Full scale systems will be expensive and require advance planning, engineering, and project management in order to meet compliance deadlines.

Evoqua has substantial experience in the design, construction, and operation of Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) physical treatment systems that are designed to remove the heavy Total Suspend Solid (TSS) load of scrubber purge streams. For operators looking to close settling ponds, this type of system can be the important first step in meeting the ELGs compliance limits. Experience will be shared regarding design factors to consider to help maximize system reliability and longevity. Several advanced-treatment technologies are available for polishing of dissolved metals and the pros and cons of each will be explored.

Many of the same treatment technologies can be employed for the evacuation and closure of coal ash ponds. Temporary and short term treatment equipment is available to deploy for removal of TSS and dissolved metals to meet emerging NPDES permit requirements necessitated by the CCRs regulations.

Coal-fired power managers should engage resources early for planning and evaluating of options that match the operating profile of each plant. Pilot equipment is the key step for proof-of-concept testing and conceptual design verification. In addition, knowledgeable engineering resources are critical for equipment selection and sizing, budgetary estimates, and final designs.