Neutralization and Stabilization of Combined Refuse Using Lime Kiln Dust at High Power Mountain

High Power Mountain Corporation (HPM), a large coal surface mine in central West Virginia, disposes of filter cake and coarse refuse by means of "refuse cells".These cells are designed to encapsulate the combined refuse, isolating the material from the hydrological system, and provide an environmentally sound method of refuse disposal.Lime kiln dust, a by-product of the lime industry, is admixed with the refuse to: o Increase pH and alkalinity, o Inhibit bacterial growth, and o Limit formation of acid water.In addition, the lime kiln dust has the added benefit of stabilizing the combined refuse.The requirement of "rock bridges" needed to support 85 ton refuse trucks in the cell is no longer necessary.Therefore, the volume of the refuse cell is totally utilized by refuse and not a combination of the refuse and the rock bridge material.