THE challenge for all coal fired power stations is what to do with the boiler ash.
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While modern combustion methods leave little but fine ash over a period of time literally mountains of the residue are accumulated.
Now this legacy of the power industry is to be recycled at Wallerawang — and an anticipated 20 new jobs will be created.
There is nothing new in the fact that the ash is considered suitable for creation of building materials; more than a year ago it was announced that a trial plant had been set up at Mt Piper power station.
Now, however, that ‘trial’ is moving towards full operation with a development application before Lithgow Council.
As is the usual requirement the council has been inviting public comment on the proposal submitted by Nu-Rock Technology Pty Ltd for the construction of its manufacturing plant at Mt Piper.
Submissions closed late last month.
Over 50 years of its operation the power station transferred its boiler residue to ash dams on the eastern side of the Castlereagh Highway.
Mt Piper in its shorter existence also has environmental procedures in place to manage its fly ash.
A spokesman for Nu-Rock estimated that some 550 million tonnes of ash available at locations around NSW.
He said it should be regarded as ‘an opportunity rather than a problem’.
Wallerawang Power Station is no longer in operation and after outliving it economic contribution to the grid is awaiting demolition.
EnergyAustralia announced some time ago that processes were under way leading to demolition but said the removal of the redundant plant would take several years to complete.
Wallerawang power station site will, however, be home to the new ‘recycled ash’ industry once approvals are in place.