Ccr beneficial use structure for a pumped storage facility using in-situ coal combustion residuals with engineering measures

Abstract

Beneficial use structures are disclosed that include coal combustion residuals (“CCR”) mixed with liquids and other materials to form a structural material, and adapted to be compacted for use in the formation of the beneficial use structure. Various structures having beneficial uses are described including a pumped hydroelectric facility. A method of constructing an impoundment includes: consolidating and compacting at least a portion of coal combustion residual (CCR) of a CCR installation; constructing an impoundment for water storage at least partially on top of the CCR installation; and applying engineering measures to the impoundment. An impoundment for water storage includes a berm and a barrier and applied engineering measures. The impoundment is constructed using at least a portion of coal combustion residual (CCR) of a pre-existing CCR installation.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method, comprising:
 consolidating and compacting at least a portion of coal combustion residual (CCR) of a CCR installation;   constructing an impoundment for water storage at least partially on top of the CCR installation; and   applying engineering measures to the impoundment.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the CCR installation comprises a non-elevated base. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the CCR installation comprises an elevated base. 
     
     
         4 . The method in  claim 1 , wherein the CCR installation is pre-existing, and wherein the impoundment is at a lowest elevation of the pre-existing CCR installation. 
     
     
         5 . The method in  claim 1 , wherein applying engineering measures to the impoundment comprises applying an encapsulation. 
     
     
         6 . The method in  claim 5 , wherein the encapsulation comprises a bio-geopolymer. 
     
     
         7 . The method in  claim 1 , wherein applying engineering measures at least partially eliminates post-closure release of liquids as run-off to the ground or surface waters or to the atmosphere. 
     
     
         8 . The method in  claim 1 , wherein applying engineering measures to the impoundment comprises providing a barrier. 
     
     
         9 . The method in  claim 8 , wherein the barrier comprises a bio-geopolymer. 
     
     
         10 . The method in  claim 1 , further comprising dewatering the CCR installation. 
     
     
         11 . The method in  claim 1 , wherein the impoundment comprises CCR. 
     
     
         12 . The method in  claim 1 , wherein constructing an impoundment comprises constructing a berm. 
     
     
         13 . The method in  claim 1 , wherein the berm comprises CCR. 
     
     
         14 . An impoundment for water storage comprising:
 at least one of a berm and a barrier; and   engineering measures applied to the at least one of a berm and a barrier, wherein the at least one of a berm and a barrier comprises, and is constructed at least in part using, at least a portion of coal combustion residual (CCR) of a pre-existing CCR installation.   
     
     
         15 . The impoundment in  claim 14 , wherein the impoundment is at a lowest elevation of the pre-existing CCR installation. 
     
     
         16 . The impoundment in  claim 14 , further comprising a cover over at least part of the at least one of a berm and a barrier. 
     
     
         17 . The impoundment in  claim 16 , wherein further comprising water stored above the cover. 
     
     
         18 . The impoundment in  claim 14 , wherein the engineering measures comprise a bio-geopolymer. 
     
     
         19 . A hydroelectric facility comprising:
 an impoundment for water storage comprising at least one of a berm and a barrier, and engineering measures applied to the at least one of a berm and a barrier; and   a hydroelectric generator in fluid communication between the impoundment for electrical power production,   
       wherein the at least one of a berm and a barrier comprises, and is constructed at least in part using, coal combustion residual (CCR) of a pre-existing CCR installation. 
     
     
         20 . The hydroelectric facility in  claim 19 , wherein the engineering measures at least partially eliminate release of water stored in the impoundment as run-off to the ground or surface waters or to the atmosphere.