The Coal Authority and the The Coal Authority and the Need for Ochre UtilisationNeed for Ochre Utilisation..

Andy MorrittAndy Morritt

Environment ManagerEnvironment Manager

The Coal AuthorityThe Coal Authority

The Coal Authority was formed 1994 and it manages the Historic Liabilities created by successive

generations of coal extraction.

Shafts, surface hazards, tips, gas vents, and mine water discharges

+680 LIABILITIES MANAGED

We now operate 35 Mine Water Treatment Schemes

To comply with Water Framework Directive’s 2015 deadline for all controlled waterways to be of ‘a good ecological standard’ - The

Coal Authority has increased its build programme from 4 schemes to 8 schemes per year.

Scotland

11

England

16

Wales

8

110 discharges of signification impact plus around 25 potential preventative schemes have been identified

Sludge Generation/Collection

Wetlands Drying BaysMobilePlant

Industrial plant

Estimated15 to 20 year

lifespan

Component in substitute soils?

FlexibleLow Cost

6 to 12 months

LandfillOCCS

18 – 24 monthsBelt/Filter Press

CentrifugeCostly

Landfill/Cement

Feedstock

Generated dailyProcess

engineeringExpensive

Landfill/Secondary Feedstock?

Old Meadows HordenYnysarwed

NCMMSilkstoneWoolley

PolkemmetSilverdale

Sludge QuantitySludge QuantityIMC Report 2000

Based on 14 operational schemes

0

5000

10000

15000

20000

25000

30000

Year

ton

nes

2000 2010

Sludge QuantitySludge QuantityImperial College 2004 @ assumed 15% dry solids

Base on sludge generated at 25 MWTS and 8 Discharges

0102030405060708090

x 1000 tonnnes

2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014

Year

Landfill DirectiveLandfill Directive

Costs £17 per tonne to dispose of as Costs £17 per tonne to dispose of as commercial waste.commercial waste.

Landfill tax is set to rise dramatically.Landfill tax is set to rise dramatically. Re designation of waste types.Re designation of waste types. Reduction in number of available disposal Reduction in number of available disposal

points.points.

Why does the Authority need options Why does the Authority need options for sustainable ochre utilisation?for sustainable ochre utilisation?

The financial and logistical impact of the Landfill Directive.The financial and logistical impact of the Landfill Directive.

The impact of the WFD on our MWTS build programme – The impact of the WFD on our MWTS build programme – the rapid increase in sludge volumes generated.the rapid increase in sludge volumes generated.

To aid the development of strategic approach to sludge To aid the development of strategic approach to sludge generation and disposal.generation and disposal.

Sludge generation tailored to end users requirements may Sludge generation tailored to end users requirements may influence the sizing of drying bays, lagoons or the use of influence the sizing of drying bays, lagoons or the use of other technologies to generate sludgeother technologies to generate sludge

THE CURRENT SITUATION IS NOT THE CURRENT SITUATION IS NOT SUSTAINABLE SUSTAINABLE

SLUDGE MANAGEMENT WILL SOON BECOME OUR SINGLE

MOST IMPORTANT OPERATIONAL ISSUE

WE NEED PRACTICAL, COMMERCIAL SOLUTIONS

Thank YouThank You