The Importance of FGD Gypsum To the CCP Industry
By David Goss, Executive DirectorAmerican Coal Ash Association
OSU – EPRI WorkshopSt. Louis, September 13, 2006
FGD Workshop – St. LouisSeptember 2006
Growing the FGD Gypsum Marketplace
Issues Driving the CCP Industry
Production
Utilization
Environment
FGD Workshop – St. LouisSeptember 2006
To achieve compliance to CAIR and CAMR, utilities may add FGD wet systems
Boiler design, plant operational issues, location, fuel source and economic factors will determine each plant’s decision
Regulationsaffect the marketplace
Industry Response to New Air Emission Requirements
FGD Workshop – St. LouisSeptember 2006
How Regulations Will Impact FGD Production
Flue Gas Desulfurization material will grow dramatically
Significant increase in production of FGD material in next decade
Primary market for synthetic gypsum is wallboard – about 9 million tons or 27%
Dry scrubbing systems more prevalent in the Western US
FGD Workshop – St. LouisSeptember 2006EUCIJuly 2006
Synthetic or FGD Gypsum
Major MarketsFor FGD Gypsum
Wallboard manufacturing
Agricultural
Cement production
FGD Workshop – St. LouisSeptember 2006
Gypsum inAgriculture
Promotes the emergence of seedlings and new plants
Improved drainage in clay soils
Reduction of water use in turf grasses
Synthetic gypsum dissolves faster than mined gypsum
A Diverse Product
FGD Workshop – St. LouisSeptember 2006
Gypsum inAgriculture
Can be used to treat sodic soils
Provides nutrients to crops such as peanuts, vegetables and fruits
Can ameliorate subsoil acidity
Reduces phosphorus runoff
Land Uses for FGD Gypsum
FGD Workshop – St. LouisSeptember 2006
Are There Potential Barriers to Increased Agricultural Use?
Looking Ahead
Mercury removal techniques may raise questions
Perception, not science may challenge end users
Are mercury concentrations a concern?
Can mercury be released in land applications
Has research addressed land applications?
Studies by Gustin, Ladwig, et. al seem to indicate that this is not a technical concern
FGD Workshop – St. LouisSeptember 2006
Looking Ahead
Wallboard industry will not be able to use all new FGD gypsum produced in the next 10-15 years
Agricultural uses could grow dramatically with increased outreach and research
Many parts of the country have little knowledge of agricultural uses of this product
Why Increase Focus on Agricultural Markets?
FGD Workshop – St. LouisSeptember 2006
Florida and Georgia’s Experiences
Looking
Ahead
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Service regulate FGD gypsum as a fertilizer
Sellers are licensed
Purity levels are specified
Reporting is required
Extensive research supported by Southern Company, TVA and others
46% of Georgia’s peanut growers use gypsum
FGD Workshop – St. LouisSeptember 2006
What’s Needed ?
Looking
Ahead
Basic information for producers on how gypsum can be used in agricultural settings
A listing or identification of areas in the US needing or currently using gypsum
The types of crops or settings in which gypsum applications can benefit the grower or land user
Samples of state regulatory documents that permit FGFD gypsum use and under what guidance
Logistics considerations – is the material handled dry or moist? How is it transported and applied?
FGD Workshop – St. LouisSeptember 2006
Research and testing of FGD products in different climates, soils and with a variety of crops will be needed – land grant universities may be key stakeholders in this research effort
Partnerships with FGD producers, growers, the USDA, and universities may help identify needs for research and funding to support this research
The EPA needs to be educated about agricultural applications and associated risks as it is a new area for them
How Do We Focus on Agricultural Markets?
Looking Ahead
FGD Workshop – St. LouisSeptember 2006
Is There Competition?
Natural mined gypsum Location and transportation may favor natural
gypsum over FGD
A whole industry is forming to recycling construction debris wallboard
California consumes a lot of recycled wallboard (California Integrated Waste Management Board)
Preliminary research indicates that mercury in recycled wallboard should not be a concern
CMRA is promoting wallboard recycling aggressively (http://www.drywallrecycling.org/)
Looking Ahead
FGD Workshop – St. LouisSeptember 2006
Conclusions
Industry and public sector research and partnerships should be formed
Joint information gathering and dissemination of examples, case studies and reports is needed
Workshops should be held for potential regulators, end users and researchers
US Department of Agriculture has much interest in this area as a new C2P2 sponsor.
Opportunities
FGD Workshop – St. LouisSeptember 2006
Resources
http://westernfarmpress.com/mag/farming_essential_amendment_high/
http://www.gp.com/build/product.aspx?pname=Agricultural&pid=1570&hierarchy=pc
http://www.gypsumsolutions.com/newscenter/news/agricultural/cs_sofnsoil.asp
http://www.dktgypsum.com/news_content7.html
Websites
FGD Workshop – St. LouisSeptember 2006
Resources - continued
http://www.wastecapwi.org/documents/BMP_drywall_on_home_sites_final.pdf
http://www.nerc.org/documents/2001-fertilizer-regulations-summary.html
http://aquanic.org/publicat/state/ky/liming_wp.htm
http://www.shawresources.ca/ResSection.ASP?item_id=221
http://ohioline.osu.edu/anr-fact/0020.html
http://www.tarleton.edu/~txjanr/Response%20of%20Coastal%20Bermudagrass%20to%20Gypsum%20Applications.pdf#search=%22agricultural%20gypsum%
Websites
THANK YOU
American Coal Ash Association
720-870-7897
www.acaa-usa.org