Heavy-Duty Material Handling Driving PA Coal Refuse
- John Forbes
- 10 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Reclamation: Delta Ducon Supplies 20 TPH Limestone System
It is always rewarding to see Delta Ducon equipment playing a direct role in environmental remediation and cleaning up legacy mine sites right here in Pennsylvania.
We just wrapped up shipments for a 20 TPH (Tons Per Hour) Crushed Limestone Optimization Project at a 110 MW power plant in Western, Pennsylvania. The facility's installation contractors are officially on-site assembling the machinery, and the pneumatic conveying system is slated for start-up later this summer.
Heavy-Duty Equipment for High-Abrasive Materials
To ensure maximum uptime and smooth operation in this highly abrasive environment, the specialized material handling setup features:
Four 14" Delta Ducon, LLC Extreme Duty Rotary Valves
Dedicated auxiliary feeding equipment
An 8” pneumatic transport and injection system
While the engineering and equipment are built for beyond heavy-duty industrial processing, the environmental impact of these Circulating Fluidized Bed (CFB) power plants is what truly stands out for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
🌍 The Big Picture: PA's Coal Refuse Industry & Environmental Impact
According to the latest Appalachian Region Independent Power Producers Association (ARIPPA) Environmental and Economic Impact Report (published October 26, 2025, via www.ARIPPA.org), the coal refuse reclamation industry has achieved massive environmental benchmarks:
257 Million Tons: The massive amount of legacy coal refuse this industry has successfully cleared from the Pennsylvania landscape to date.
1,210 Miles: Of legacy polluted streams that have been actively restored thanks to these reclamation efforts.
8,070 Acres: Of abandoned mine lands (AML) that have been completely reclaimed, graded, and restored.
$62 Million: Generated in annual environmental and public health value to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
How CFB Technology and Limestone Preclude Pollution
By precisely feeding crushed limestone into these specialized CFB boilers, the technology captures 95% to 99% of sulfur dioxide ($SO_2$) emissions right during the combustion process.
This controlled industrial process prevents the devastating, toxic air pollution and acid mine drainage (AMD) that inevitably occurs when these old waste piles are left to sit, leach into nearby water tables, or spontaneously combust in the open air.
Delivering Timely Engineering Solutions
Great work by the Delta Ducon, LLC Power Group engineering team on getting this high-capacity limestone optimization project designed, manufactured, and out the door in a timely manner!
We look forward to a successful system start-up and continuing to support Pennsylvania's independent power producers in their land reclamation missions.
