Additional fly ash storage : dewatering bins conversion project at Indianapolis Power & Light Petersburg Generating Station

Abstract

The objective of this thesis is to complete a project in order to create additional ash storage capacity and system reliability for our Petersburg Generating Facility. Specifically, an economical solution for fly ash storage and disposal is required in order to meet evolving environmental emissions regulations required at the coal fired power plant. First, the additional storage space required will allow both outage maintenance on existing fly ash storage locations and add extra capacity for use during full capacity generation. Second, creating this additional place for disposal will allow for operations to continue generation during any issues with the existing disposal locations. Operational and financial impacts determined that a project centered on the conversion of existing bottom ash handling tanks provides the greatest benefit. Current and future operations is impacted and internal planning and coordination helps change once open topped dewatering bins to closed fly ash handling tanks.