A PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT OF UTILIZING FLUIDIZED-BED ASH IN LANDFILL LINER APPLICATIONS

A preliminary study was conducted to assess the possible utilization o f fluidized bed ash (FBA) as a liner material. This material was selec ted based on its unique characteristics. It was anticipated that the p ozzolanic properties would produce a hydraulic barrier with a low hydr aulic conductivity and toxicity analysis would show no leachable metal s. This hypothesis was tested utilizing FBA by itself and in combinati on with a clayey soil. Cursory physical and engineering tests were per formed on the FBA and FBA/soil mixtures with regard to factors relevan t for liner applications. Both the 100% FBA and the FBP/soil mixtures (15% and 40%) were found to have a hydraulic conductivity that was low er than federal requirements (1 x 10(-7) cm/sec). Also, the Toxicity C haracteristics Leaching Procedure (TCLP) test results indicated that F BA was nonhazardous; therefore, it may not be a threat to groundwater. However, liner integrity may be in jeopardy due to the brittle nature of the FBA and FBA/soil mixtures, and also from the formation of ettr ingite.