Landfill Cost Model for Coal Combustion Products

摘要

Coal users are experiencing increasing costs to dispose of coal combustion products(CCPs). As an increasing number of coal-fired power plants install flue gasdesulfurization (FGD) systems to meet environmental regulations, the quantity of coalcombustion products will continue to increase. The opening of new landfills understricter state regulations may result in even higher costs to the utility. There arealternative uses of CCPs, other than landfilling, that are technically sound,environmentally safe, and commercially competitive. The CCP generator and thosedeveloping alternative uses need a tool that establishes a cost benchmark againstwhich alternative use options can be evaluated.The landfill cost model described in this paper is such a tool. It is used to predict boththe capital and operating costs of new landfills for CCP disposal. This landfill designand cost computer model is designed with a high degree of flexibility to provide accurateestimates under a variety of possible scenarios. It includes templates for regulationsfrom Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Kentucky and can be readily adapted to other states.The model includes design and cost algorithms to account for different landtopographies and CCP types. It also includes design options to meet anticipated futurelandfill design regulations and cost escalation factors to maintain its accuracy over time.The model, which will be publicly available at no cost, will be described.The model was created with funding from the Ohio Coal Development Office within theOhio Department of Development, CONSOL Energy, Inc., GAI Consultants, Inc., andTrumbull Corporation.