Abstract
A comprehensive monitoring procedure for TPP ash dumps in the climatic conditions of Siberia is proposed, which involves implementation of two stages. At the global stage, remote sensing technology is used directly from spacecraft in Earth’s orbit, while at the regional stage, an unmanned aerial vehicle and numerical modeling are used. An example of the operations is given, which clearly shows how exactly this procedure will increase efficiency of the TPP ash dump monitoring in the climatic conditions of Siberia and help promptly take measures required to prevent collapse of the ash dump external soil structure, which may result in ash and slag waste outflow and contamination of the adjacent territory.
Highlights
At present, the problem of environmentally safe storage of ash and slag from TPPs is very acute
Most ash dumps and other similar ponds have local environmental monitoring systems reduced to visual observations, which are carried out through rounds and inspections of structures of this type once every six months, and mandatory recording of the results obtained in the observation log
Analysis of the observation results and the existing environmental pollution show that this number of visual observations is clearly not enough, for they do not enable prompt identification of the ash dump soil structure deformation at the initial stage. This is especially evident in spring accompanied by a phase transition of the soil massif from frozen to thawed state. This results in the emergence and subsequent development of all kinds of cracks on the ridge, slopes and berms followed by accidents at ash dumps with the ash and slag waste outflow into the adjacent territory, and environmental pollution (Fig. 1)
Summary
The problem of environmentally safe storage of ash and slag from TPPs is very acute. Analysis of the observation results and the existing environmental pollution show that this number of visual observations is clearly not enough, for they do not enable prompt identification of the ash dump soil structure deformation at the initial stage.
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