Assessment of research and development for the management of fossil energy-related solid wastes

Solid wastes are produced in all phases of the fossil energy fuel cycle, from extraction to energy production. Additional wastes are often generated as a result of the environmental controls required to ensure that effluents meet regulations. As in many other industries, process development in this area is more advanced than the environmental control technology. This assessment has been undertaken to evaluate currently used solid waste management methods as they relate to fossil energy technologies such as coal combustion and the processes for converting coal, oil shale, tar sands, and peat to gaseous or liquid fuels. Petroleum and biomass are not included in the assessment. Each of the solid-waste streams encountered in fossil energy production terminate with either disposal or utilization. Utilization is attractive, since it promises resource conservation and minimizes disposal. However, markets must be established for the recovered materials, and recovery methods must be developed that will make recycled waste products economically competitive with alternative raw material sources. Disposal may be a more costly method of waste management over the long term, since it implies the removal of any recoverable materials from the marketplace and, for the present land disposal operations, requires the commitment of large land areas.more » For the large waste volumes resulting from coal, oil shale, tar sand, or peat processing, the disposal options other than land burial are limited. Thus, there are strong incentives for the utilization of fossil fuel solid wastes. This assessment includes (1) a discussion of the current and future options for both disposal and utilization of fossil energy wastes, (2) an analysis of the problems imposed by regulatory and economic constraints on both disposal and utilization, and (3) a review of current research and development activities in these areas. 106 references, 2 figures, 8 tables.« less