harsco mineral csa: a sustainable solution to acidic water from refuse piles & abandoned mine...

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Harsco Engineered Environmental Systemfor Coal Refuse Treatment

Abandoned Mine Reclamation ConferenceAugust 9th, 2013

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Overview

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Harsco Coal Refuse Study – Third Party

Background

Coal Refuse Characterization

Test Setup

Results

Conclusions

Harsco Mineral CSA Briquettes

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Global Business Platforms

The world’s largest provider of on-site, outsourced services to the global metals industries. More than 160 sites in 30 countries. Environmentally-responsible, mineral-based products for a range of commercial and industrial uses

The world’s most complete global organization for highly engineered rental scaffolding, shoring, concrete forming and other access-related services. Operating at approximately 200 sites in over 40 countries

Global railway track maintenance services and equipment

Energy-efficient air-cooled heat exchangers, heat transfer equipment, and industrial grating products

METALS & MINERALS

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Harsco EES Material

Pennsylvania DEP approved - GP WMGR049 Agriculture Mine grout AMD treatment Mine buffering agent Construction material Road base reclamation and soil stabilization Raw material for

Concrete Asphalt Grout

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Harsco EES Material

100% Recycled Material

Calcium/magnesium silicate

Can sequester heavy metals

Long-lasting

Does not armor

pH 12 ± .2

Soluble Alkalinity - 1510 mg/L compared to 30mg/L for limestone

60+% passing #100 sieve

90% + CCE

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Stream Restorations – Reeds Run

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Stream Restorations – McIntire Site

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Stream Restorations – Neal Run

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Stream Restorations – Jennings Environmental Center

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Coal Refuse Treatment Studies

2009-2010 first study

2011-2012 in-house study suggested potential for neutralizing coal refuse.

2012-2013 third-party study results Using Harsco’s calcium/magnesium silicate material to cover or

underlie coal refuse has value for new and existing piles Inter-mixing coal refuse and the Harsco calcium/magnesium

silicate material can eliminate acid formation Blending with coal refuse provides a sustainable solution,

eliminating effluent acidity, iron, aluminum, and manganese

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2012-2013 Third-Party Study

Recent Study Test America, Pittsburgh Rosebud McVille coal processing plant refuse Three refuse columns per test Simulated rainfall for Western Pennsylvania

SPLP extraction fluid #1 40.26” average rainfall per year

Column testing is far more rigorous than field application

All of the rain water passing through test material

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Coal Refuse Characterization

ABA Overburden and Mine Soil Analysis (G&C) 2.32% total sulfur 2.0 paste pH 0 fizz intensity 72.5 tons per thousand tons CaCO3 equivalent

Chemistry and Mineralogy (PMET) XRF XRD  

C 32.97% Al2Si2O5(OH)4 Kaolinite 18.8%

S 2.07% SiO2 Quartz 15.1%

Fe2O3 6.0% KAL3Si3O10(OH)2 Muscovite 12.0%

Al2O3 16.2% KFe3(SO4)2(OH)6 Jarosite 5.3%

MnO .01% Ca(SO4)•2H2O Gypsum 2.3%

CaO 1.1% CaSO4 Anhydrite .6%

MgO .4% FeS2 Pyrite .5% 15

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Coal Refuse Test Setup

Blended

BlendedTreatmentControl

48” PVC

4” Diameter

Filter Cloth

Not to scale

Top and/or Bottom Treatment

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Coal Refuse Test Setup

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Coal Refuse Test Setup

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Coal Refuse Test Setup

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Coal Refuse Test Setup

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Coal Refuse Test Setup

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Highlighted Results were Non-Detects

* Results measured in PARTS PER BILLION

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© 2013 Harsco Corporation, All Rights Reserved.  © 2013 Harsco Corporation, All Rights Reserved. 

© 2013 Harsco Corporation, All Rights Reserved.  © 2013 Harsco Corporation, All Rights Reserved. 

© 2013 Harsco Corporation, All Rights Reserved.  © 2013 Harsco Corporation, All Rights Reserved. 

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ABA vs. Harsco’s Method

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ABA –Mine Drainage Prediction & Overburden Analysis Neutralization Potential Percent of Sulfur “Fizz” Testing

ABA does not take into account Particle size/specific surface area Armoring

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Harsco Mineral CSA vs. Limestone

Harsco Mineral CSA Limestone Fines

CCE 90% + 78 to 85%

RNV 90 to 98% 65 to 70%

Soluble Silicon* 113 to 114% 0 to 5%

pH ~12.2 ~9.6

Soluble Alkalinity 1510 mg/L 30 mg/L

*Using wollastonite as the standard33

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ABA vs. Harsco’s Method

Harsco’s Method using Mineral CSA Particle size/specific surface area The mineralogical makeup

Calcium Silicate Magnesium Silicate

Mineral CSA contains no calcium carbonate due to high heat (3200 degrees) of steel making process.

Si:Fe - High silicon to iron ratio – Mineral CSA ties up some of the iron preventing it from reacting with sulfur. This reduces pyrite formation.

Effect of Fe - Sulfur to Iron ratio is affected – less iron (especially in the form of pyrite) means less available sulfur for acid generation

Mineral CSA removes the Hydrogen ions so they are not available for other acid generation. Silicate forms mono-silicic acid not carbonic acid. This is a much weaker acid.

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Conclusions From Results

Blended pH control with a small % of Harsco’s calcium/magnesium

silicate material Virtually eliminates leaching of Fe, Al, and Mn Significant reduction of:

Electrical conductivity Total dissolved solids Redox potential Sulfate concentration

Refuse pile benefits Considerable cost reduction potential Greatly reduced liability exposure Sustainable environmental solution

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Blended

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Systems - Currently in Use

Geomembrane base liner

Untreated Coal Refuse

Harsco EES Material

Harsco EES Material

Reactive

Reactive

Geomembrane cover liner

Geomembrane base liner

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A Better Way

Geomembrane cover liner

Geomembrane base liner

Untreated Coal Refuse

TreatedCoal Refuse

Reactive

Neutralized

From ThisTo Sustainability

Covered with Harsco growing

medium

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Systems - Sustainability

TreatedCoal Refuse

Neutralized

Cost-effective

Lower risk

Better for the environment

Potential alternative uses of land

Sustainable

Covered with Harsco growing

medium

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Harsco EES Value

Reduced operating costs Plant and equipment Manpower Treatment materials

Reduced environmental Impact 100% recycled material No CO2 generated as with Ca(OH)2

Enhance compliance with DEP regulations Champion Processing & Rosebud mining have had bond

releases

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Harsco EES Value

Impact costs including: Trusts Bonds Site preparation

Liners General Topsoil

Reduced risk and liability exposure

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Harsco’s Engineered Environmental System

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Fast Acting pH Control

Environmentally Friendly

Consistent Performance

Does Not Armor

Immobilize and Detoxify Metals

Harsco EES

Precipitates Metals

Reduced Long-termLiability Exposure

Limited pH Control

Limestone

Can Precipitate Metals

Short-Term TreatmentArmors

Reduce/Eliminate Bonds and Trusts

Sustainable Solution

Long Lasting

Invaluable

Harsco Growing Medium

Cost reduction exceeding several

million dollars

Reduce/EliminatePlant and Operating CostsControl System Changes

Harsco Mineral CSA Briquettes

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Harsco Mineral CSA Briquettes

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Harsco Mineral CSA Briquettes

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Harsco Mineral CSA Briquettes

Berkebile Run Kiski Conemaugh Valley Conservancy

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Harsco Mineral CSA Briquettes

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Berkebile Run

Harsco Mineral CSA Briquettes

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Berkebile Run

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Harsco Mineral CSA Briquettes

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Berkebile Run

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Questions or Comments

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