80 likes | 276 Views
Value to Utilities of Agronomic Uses for Gypsum. Lamar Larrimore Southern Company. September 13, 2006. Large Volume Applications. Wallboard - established Cement - established Agronomic - potential Crop yield Soil erosion Poultry waste runoff. U.S. Gypsum Production (M tons)
E N D
Value to Utilities of Agronomic Uses for Gypsum Lamar Larrimore Southern Company September 13, 2006
Large Volume Applications • Wallboard - established • Cement - established • Agronomic - potential • Crop yield • Soil erosion • Poultry waste runoff
U.S. Gypsum Production (M tons) 200420102020 Mined 18.0 Synthetic 12.0 25.0 40.0 Import 10.4 U.S. Gypsum Consumption (M tons) 2004 Future TotalFGDTotal Wallboard/Plaster 31.3 8.2 similar Cement 3.3 0.5 similar Agriculture Crop 0.7 0.15 ?? Erosion Control 18.0 * Poultry Waste 4.0 * * AL, FL, GA, MS only Sources – USGS, USDA, ACAA Estimated Gypsum Production and Demand Conclusion – Manufacturing markets cannot absorb all FGD gypsum at peak production
Gypsum Quality Requirements • Manufacturing applications have tighter restrictions for product performance needs moisture, purity, chlorides, ash, particle size • Agriculture has fewer criteria moisture, chlorides, Ca/S
Environmental Questions • Trace element content • Potential volatilization of adsorbed emissions • Plant tissue uptake
Possible Barriers • Regulatory • Environmental • Agriculture • Technical acceptance • Utility interest / commitment • Market composition • Fragmented with scattered demand (good/bad) • Marketers • Few large regional / national players with agricultural experience • Utilities not set up for agricultural marketing
Reasons for Utility Interest • Low capital cost • Applicable for all power plants • Large potential market reduces storage needs • Fewer quality criteria • Broad needs • Crops • Soil types • Industries
Actions • Continue to develop additional technical performance and environmental information • Develop demonstrations to lend credibility / publicity to lab results and presentations • Clearance on environmental regulations • Achieve comfort level so that additional permits, R&D, case studies not needed for commercial use • Encourage utilities or larger commercial participants to serve fragmented markets • Involve U.S. and State Departments of Agriculture