Leaching Behavior of Fixed-Bed Gasification Ash Derived from North Dakota Lignite

ABSTRACTthree different fixed-bed gasifiers have been leached using: (1) the EPA-EP leaching test; (2) a similar test that starts with a synthetic North Dakota groundwater; (3) the ASTM D3987–81 method; (4) a long-term (120 day) leaching experiment. The gasification ashes were highly alkaline and produced pH's in the range 10–13 during tests 2 through 4. Compositions of major, minor and trace elements were determined by AAS and ICAP analyses of leachates. None of the EPA-EP test leachates from any of the ashes exceeded the EP Trigger values that define a hazardous waste according to the RCRA criteria. The long-term leaching experiments provided insights into the rates of extraction of elements from ash and could be useful in modeling selected failure scenarios in an ash disposal pit. At various times during the long-term leaching experiments, substantial fractions of the Na, K, Al, S, As, Mo, Se and V in the ash were extracted. Liquid to solid (l:s) ratios were important in determining the quantities of elements extracted and in controlling solution pH; during most of the 120 day experiments, pH's were near 13 in a 2:1 ratio experiment and just below 10 in a 20:1 ratio experiment. X-ray diffraction analysis of the leaching residue indicated that only a portion of the ash reacted with the leaching solutions. The reaction products were largely noncrystalline, but minor amounts of zeolites, calcite and gibbsite were identified. The formation of such secondary solid phases appears to be important in controlling leachant concentrations.