Author(s): Da Cobban; D. J Hanekom; F. Rusinga

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Keywords: Coal-fired power station; Ash disposal; Brine management; Water and salt balance

Abstract: The Tutuka coal fired Power Station, Mpumalanga South Africa, uses coal from the New Denmark Colliery (NDC) and water from the Grootdraai Dam to generate 3 500MW of power. In order to reduce their water consumption Eskom adopted dry ash disposal which only requires water for dust control prior to rehabilitation. The unlined ash stack is located over a dolerite sill, which provides some protection against infiltration of leachate. Although a dry ash facility, historically, excess saline underground water from the NDC has been disposed of by irrigation on the ash stack. Geohydrological investigations have shown a pollution plume around the ash stack. The customised spreadsheet model SALTMAN was set up and used to identify the movement of salts through the system including locating unaccounted for sources of salt and water losses. SALTMAN is used to monitor water use efficiencies and meet targets in terms of water conservation.

DOI:

Year: 2011