Mathematical Models to Analyzing the Mass Transfer into the Subsoil of Slag and Ash Sludge of Coal-Fired Power Plants

Operation of coal-fired power plants determines a big amount of slag and ash, and also releases harmful flue gases. Consequently, a serious concern is related to the health of humans and other life forms that is impacted of xenobiotics caused by burning coal in electrical generating stations. The concept of xenobiotics has been extended to the environment over the last several decades, and many studies are demonstrating that xenobiotics relate to environmental impact. This is especially severe in the context of pollutants, since many of which are substances foreign to a biological system that did not exist in nature before their synthesis by humans. Consequently, the toxins specific to slag and ash deposits through the environmental xenobiotics induce malignant tumors of high incidence rate. Within the framework of sustainable development the environmental and technical issues should be linked. In line with this idea it is important to build mathematical models that reflect how the transfer into the subsoil of a toxic dose from a slag and ash deposit source on ground is realized. Identification of such a mathematical model to process the data of mass transfer type could allow relevant conclusions on the interaction polluter - geographic area. This paper presents a case study based on the scenario of the transfer of a toxic dose in the subsoil from the slag and ash deposit on the ground of Isalnita thermoelectric power plant located in Oltenia region, Romania. Taking into consideration the spatial distribution of soil structure in depth it is analyzed the toxic mass transfer into the subsoil based on two scenarios, namely the linear and nonlinear distribution of mass transfer. Based on linear and, respectively nonlinear mathematical models there are performed numerical simulations of toxic mass transfer into the subsoil.