ERC researchers are heavily involved in working with the power industry on developing solutions for emerging contaminants related to power generation.

These activities include studying how toxic metals leach from fly ash under a wide variety of conditions, how these metals impact the environment, and how to control their release.

This work is facilitated by major research instrumentation obtained through leveraged ERC funds for a highly unique analytical system (i.e., inductively coupled plasma/mass spectrometer (ICP/MS) with high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) and laser ablasion interfaces). Additional work being conducted for the power industry is development of waste-to-energy conversion technology to convert agricultural, industrial and municipal wastewater into energy (thereby taking a contaminant-laden waste stream and producing a valuable product, energy).

                                                                          Current Projects in the ERC:

The Wang research group studied the impact of ammonia on the leachability of cationic metals such as Cu and Cd from fly ash. As a result of air pollutant emission control requirements, most fly ash in the future will contain ammonia. This research is to investigate the leaching behavior for the future fly ash, so that pollutant prevention measures can be taken before it happens. Results indicated than ammonia can form complexes with these metals and enhance their leaching. A mathematical model was developed to quantify the leaching behavior and effects of ammonia. One paper was accepted by Chemosphere (sponsor: EPRI)

• The Wang research group developed a protocol to quantify the intrinsic leaching parameters for trace elements from solid particles. This approach includes a lab experimental procedure and a modeling procedure. Eventually the total availability and the stability of cationic trace elements in solid particles can be determined. One paper was accepted (conditionally) by Waste Management (Sponsor: EPRI.)
  
  

• The Chusuei/Wang research group conducted arsenic absorption studies from aqueous solution environments onto fly ash. The As-Fly Ash interface was surface analyzed using attenuated-total reflection infrared (ATR-IR), extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) and X-ray photoelectron (XPS) spectroscopies to delineate chemical oxidation state changes during the absorption and chemical speciation of arsenic on the solid surface. EXAFS were performed at the National Synchrotron Light Source at Brookhaven National Laboratory [See Chusuei and Wang, Geochim. et Cosmochim. Acta (in review).]
  
  
• The Wang research group conducted the leachability of arsenic and selenium from fly ash, and developed a speciation-based model to describe the leaching behavior. These research and modeling activities provided us with fundamental understandings of the metals leaching behavior. Results indicated that arsenic can be leached under low and high pH conditions. Selenium can be leached when pH is in neutral and alkaline pH range. Results also indicated that calcium can reduce the leaching of arsenic under very high pH conditions through the formation of calcium arsenate. Results also indicated that ammonia can enhance arsenic release. One manuscript on the modeling part was submitted to Geochemica Cosmochemica Acta for review and possible publication (sponsors: USGS and EPRI).
  
  
• The Wang research group conducted the mercury leachability studies for fly ash. In the future, most fly ashes will be contaminated by ammonia. In addition, the mercury air emission control requirement will result in elevated concentrations of mercury. This research deals with the leaching behavior of mercury in future fly ash. Results confirmed that ammonia can enhance the mercury leaching in the alkaline pH condition through the formation of less adsorbable mercury-ammonia complexes. Research also indicated that the injected activated carbon has stronger affinity to mercury than unburned carbon in fly ash. This information is important in assessing the potential environmental impact of mercury leaching as results of air emission control regulations. One manuscript will soon be ready to submit (sponsors: EPRI and UMRB).
  
  
• The Wang research group investigated the potential to use the brewery solids to generate methane gas (energy source) while reducing solids discharge. Operation parameters were determined in lab bench scale (sponsor: Anheuser-Busch foundation).