Use of FGD Gypsum in Agricultural Applicationsinfohouse.p2ric.org/ref/50/49277.pdf · Use of FGD...

Use of FGD Gypsum in Agricultural Applications

EPA Resource Conservation Challenge National Workshop

March 26, 2009Washington DC

Ken LadwigSenior Project Managerkeladwig@epri.com262-754-2744

2© 2009 Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. All rights reserved.

Electric Power Research Institute

• Established in 1973

• Independent, non-profit R&D

• Collaborative research,voluntary membership

EPRI’s mission is to conduct research on key issues facing the electric power industry on behalf of its members, energy stakeholders, and society.

3© 2009 Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. All rights reserved.

EPRI CCP Research Portfolio

CharacterizationCharacterization

DisposalDisposal

EnvironmentalEnvironmentalRiskRisk

UtilizationUtilizationCCP

Management

4© 2009 Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. All rights reserved.

New Comprehensive Research Collaborative

• Sustainable Management of CCPs• Objectives

– Minimize Environmental Risk– Increase CCP Use – Improve Outreach

• Strengthen Partnerships – EPA, USDA, FHWA, RMRC, National Laboratories,

Universities

www.epri.com(CCP webpage under development)

5© 2009 Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. All rights reserved.

CCP Generation and Collection

Furnace

Economizer

FGD Absorber

Stack

Particulate Collector

Air Heater

Bottom Bottom Ash/Slag Ash/Slag

CollectionCollection

Economizer Economizer Ash CollectionAsh Collection

Fly Ash Fly Ash CollectionCollection FGD Gypsum FGD Gypsum

CollectionCollection

Furnace

Economizer

FGD Absorber

Stack

Particulate Collector

Air Heater

Bottom Bottom Ash/Slag Ash/Slag

CollectionCollection

Economizer Economizer Ash CollectionAsh Collection

Fly Ash Fly Ash CollectionCollection FGD Gypsum FGD Gypsum

CollectionCollection

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Flu Gas Desulfurization (FGD)

• Flue Gas Scrubbing - removes sulfur dioxide (SO2) from flue gas

• First installations in the 1970s– Acid rain

• Wet systems and dry systems• Significant increases expected over the

next decade– Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR)

FGD systems react a base with the acid gas to produce a solid product requiring use or disposal

7© 2009 Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. All rights reserved.

FGD Product Terminology

Wet Systems• FGD Gypsum (Forced Oxidation)• Scrubber Sludge (Natural/Inhibited Oxidation)

Dry Systems• Spray Dryer Absorber Material• Duct Sorbent Injection Material• Furnace Sorbent Injection Material

Fluidized Bed Combustion Material

8© 2009 Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. All rights reserved.

FGD Gypsum - Beneficial Use

Agriculture1%

Wallboard90%

Concrete1%

Cement7%

Aggregate1%

FGD Gypsum Use9.2 million tons (75%)

2007 ACAA Survey Data

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FGD Gypsum Characterization

• The Ohio State University

• ~35 FGD gypsum samples~10 mined gypsum samples

• Total composition

• Leaching (SPLP and DI Water)

• Gypsum purity

• Grain size

• Moisture

10© 2009 Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. All rights reserved.

FGD Gypsum Characterization

Trace Constituents - Median Concentrations (7 Plants)

Source: EPRI unpublished data

0.0

10.0

20.0

30.0

40.0

50.0

60.0

Ni Sb Cr Se Zn V B Li Ba

Con

cent

ratio

n, m

g/K

g

FGD Gypsum Commercial Gypsum

11© 2009 Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. All rights reserved.

FGD Gypsum Characterization

Trace Constituents - Median Concentrations (7 Plants)

Source: EPRI unpublished data

0.0

0.4

0.8

1.2

1.6

2.0

Be Co Hg Cd Tl Mo Pb As Cu

Con

cent

ratio

n, m

g/K

g

FGD Gypsum Commercial Gypsum

12© 2009 Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. All rights reserved.

FGD Gypsum Characterization

Mercury

Milestone Lumex Digest Average

ug/g ug/g ug/g ug/gNumber 29 29 29 29Mean 0.313 0.342 0.240 0.299

Median 0.179 0.170 0.143 0.169Maximum 1.407 1.631 1.042 1.360

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FGD Gypsum in Agricultural Applications

Benefits of FGD Gypsum • Amelioration of subsurface acidity• Source of plant nutrients• Improve soil physical properties• Increase infiltration• Reduce P and N in surface water

runoff• Remediate sodic soils• No-till cropping on clay soils• Synthetic soils/horticultural use• Mineland reclamation

www.soils.usda.gov

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Decrease Subsurface Acidity (Al+3)

• Al+3 in subsoils is toxic to plants

• Ca exchanges with Al

• SO4 forms complexes with Al+3

• Result is greater depth of root penetration

From Dave Kost, 2006 Workshop

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Decrease Subsurface Acidity (Al+3)

Contorted tap roots due to Al toxicity

Straight tap roots in absence of Al

From Lamar Larrimore, 2006 Workshop

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Nutrient Source - Sulfur

From Dave Kost, 2006 Workshop

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Nutrient Source - Sulfur

• 2008– Canola– S deficiency– Very good response

North Dakota Site

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Nutrient Source - Calcium

Increases:• Available calcium (soluble)• Peanut pod calcium

Ca for pod development must enter pod directly

From Lamar Larrimore, 2006 Workshop

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Nutrient Source - Calcium

Higher Calcium Increases Shelf Life of Tomatoes

From Lamar Larrimore, 2006 Workshop

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FGD Gypsum Use in China – Sodic Soils

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National Network of Sites

Purpose• Demonstrate agricultural benefits

across different regions, soil types, and crops

• Address environmental acceptability of agricultural use

• Determine appropriate application rates

• Develop resources for technical assistance

Nationwide, multi-year study led by The Ohio State University

22© 2009 Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. All rights reserved.

Network Sites

State Sites Year Started

Crop

North Dakota 3 2007 Wheat, Canola

New Mexico 2 2008 Alfalfa

Arkansas 1 2008 Cotton

Indiana 2 2008 Corn, Soybean

Ohio 2 2008 Mixed Pasture, Corn

N. Alabama 2 2008 Bermudagrass Pasture

S. Alabama TBD 2009 TBD

Wisconsin TBD 2009 TBD

Illinois TBD 2009 TBD

Missouri TBD 2010 TBD

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Experimental Design

Randomized complete block

Replicate 1

FGD gypsum (3 rates)Replaced material (3 rates)

Control (no application)

Replicate 2

FGD gypsum (3 rates)Replaced material (3 rates)

Control (no application)

Replicate 3

FGD gypsum (3 rates)Replaced material (3 rates)

Control (no application)

Replicate 4

FGD gypsum (3 rates)Replaced material (3 rates)

Control (no application)

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Data Collection

• Crop yield

• Soil quality

• Soil water quality

• Plant tissue metals

• Mercury

• Meteorological data

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Ecotoxicity

• 6 field sites; 3 in 2008 and 3 in 2009

• Collect worms from high application rate plots

• Analysis for mercury, arsenic, selenium, and other trace constituents

• Fresh and depurated worms

• The Ohio State University

Earthworm Study

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Greenhouse Study

• Climate Controlled

• 65 Tubs replicating 3 field sites

• Mercury volatilization

• High application rate effects

• Leaching

• Ecotoxicity

• University of Nevada-Reno

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2009 FGD Gypsum in Agricultural Workshop

• November 17-19, 2009

• Hyatt Regency Indianapolis

• 170 attended 2007 Workshop

• Sponsors– EPRI, ACAA, USDA-ARS, US EPA,

Southern Company

www.fgdproducts.org

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Questions