Sulfur Sludge and its Regulations: A Case Study at The Geysers KGRA, Lake County, California
- Key words
- Environmental; Regulatory; Power Generation; USA; California; Lake; Geysers; Atmosphere; Air Pollution; Air Quality; H2S; Hydrogen Sulfide; Hazardous Waste; EPA; State Agencies; Case Histories; RCRA; Mercury; Arsenic; H2S Abatement; Sludge; West Furo Flat
- Location
- Lake County, California; The Geysers, California
- Conference
- Geothermal Resources Council Transactions
- Year
- 1990
- Session
- Environmental aspects; Laws and regulations; Waste managemen
- Language
- English
Abstract
The use of geothermal energy to produce electricity is environmentally benign in comparison to the use of fossil fuels. However, at the Geysers in Northern California, the resource contains hydrogen sulfide gas which is regulated by the local Air Pollution Control District and may not be emitted to the atmosphere without abatement. The abatement of H2S results in the production of a sulfur sludge which is sometimes hazardous. Federal and State regulations, administered by the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Health Services respectively, regulate the treatment, storage and disposal of this sludge. The Department of Transportation regulated its transport from eh site of generation to its disposal point. Regulations covering sulfur sludge and analysis of the options available for its disposal are discussed.
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