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The Potential of Large-Scale Algae Production
While algae have been cultured somewhat informally around the world for many centuries as a food or feed source, large scale commercial production is still relatively new.
Why Is It So Challenging to Grow Algae?
With so many promising uses for algae, it’s a wonder that the commercial algaculture industry is still relatively new and small.
What Does Algae Need to Grow?
As much as algae tend to take over everything from aquariums to natural lakes, it’s surprising that it needs any care at all to flourish.
Open vs Closed Algae Production
While it’s common to see advanced glass or plastic bioreactors displayed in articles about commercial algaculture, many facilities actually rely on open raceways or ponds instead.
The Basic Components of Algae Raceway Ponds
Raceway ponds are affordable and effective algaculture systems that are usually built to take advantage of natural sunlight.
Lining Options for Algae Raceways
Algae raceways of all sizes and styles need impermeable lining solutions.
Material Concerns for Specific Production Methods
Raceway materials have to be selected by more than just their cost or suitability for algae production.
Covering Outdoor Raceways
While most raceways are large ponds, built outdoors, to maximize the use of natural sunlight, they can struggle to perform in those open environments.
What is Coal Ash?
Much like what’s left in a grill or a fireplace at home, the coal ash produced by a power plant is the waste left after burning raw coal.
Changing Regulations for Coal Ash Residue Containment
As with many types of potentially hazardous waste, regulations continue to change and evolve as new information comes in about the long-term impact of pollution.
Cooling and Handling Requirements for Coal Ash Residues
It’s not enough to design a safe and well-lined impoundment to hold all the coal ash residues produced by a power plant.
Other Disposal Methods for Coal Ash
Recycling and reusing coal ash are big business today, since it reduces costs for disposal while making good use of the waste material.
Why Flexible Liners Work Best for All Types of Coal Ash Containment
It’s simply not enough to excavate a well-designed impoundment basin and expect it to suffice for holding coal ash slurries and “dry” mixtures.
Why is It Hard to Line Coal Ash Containment Pits?
Containment pits and basins for coal ash aren’t the easiest kind of impoundment to line.
Risks of Coal Ash Containment Failure
Even if you follow the EPA’s latest regulations on lining and containing coal ash residues, you can end up dealing with a release that leads to remediation costs and fines.
Regulations on New Fishing Ponds and Lakes
The first place to start when planning any new body of water, especially one that will be fed by an existing creek or river, is with the regulating bodies of your county and state.
Water Sources for Fishing Lakes
Careful construction and design will result in a fishing lake that is leak proof as possible.
Proper Fishing Lake Depth when Building a Fishing Lake
Choosing the right depth for the lake is essential to encouraging rapid fish growth and natural reproduction cycles.
Structure and Design of the Fishing Lake
The actual design of the fishing lake is more complex than you might think.
Preventing Water Loss with Flexible Liners in a Fishing Lake
Gradual water loss is a silent killer of millions of pounds of fish per year.
Choosing a Fish Safe Liner Material when Building a Fishing Lake
Flexible liners solve a lot of the challenges of lining a large fishing lake, but they’re not all equally qualified for the task.
Private vs Public Fishing Lakes and Ponds
Building a private fishing lake may seem like a big project just for something to share with friends and family.
Fertilizing for Fishing Lakes
If you’re used to fertilizing fields for bigger crop yields, you may have already heard of fertilizing ponds as well.