Method and system for fine particulate removal and processing from a coal combustion residual surface impoundment

A in situ process for remediating a coal ash pond to produce a coal combustion residual material-based cake bed, the process comprising the steps of:

• a. Extracting an ash slurry from a coal ash retention pond;
• b. Scalping the ash slurry to separate coarse ash components and fine ash components;
• c. Placing the fine ash components in a thickener to create a thickened underflow and an overflow, the overflow being returned to the coal ash retention pond;
• and
• d. Depositing the thickened underflow upon a mechanical dewatering device including a vacuum belt filter, or belt filter press, or plate filter press to create a filtrate and a cake bed, the filtrate being returned to the thickener and the coal ash retention pond, the cake bed consisting of fine components for subsequent transport away from the coal ash pond.