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GAMMA RADIATION TREATMENT OF WATERS FROM LIGNITE MINES
Citation:
Janiak, H. GAMMA RADIATION TREATMENT OF WATERS FROM LIGNITE MINES. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/7-79/064 (NTIS PB295802), 1979.
Description:
Discussed in this report are results of laboratory investigations carried out with the application of gamma radiation for the purification of waters drained from surface lignite mines. These waters are polluted to a considerable extent with suspended matter of various sizes, a large quantity of which is colloidal particles, mainly clay, that create turbidity and colour. Moreover there is often a high oxygen demand and occasionally a high content of iron. The remaining chemical physical parameters of the mine water do not diverge from the levels required for waters discharged to surface flows and reservoirs. The investigations have shown a positive influence of Co-60 gamma radiation on the speed of suspended matter sedimentation, starting with an absorbed dose of 500 kRad. An optimal dose was found to be 1000 kRad. Above this dose the acceleration of velocity of settling particles was not proportional to the applied energy value. The investigations found relationship between the absorbed dose and the reduction in turbidity, oxygen demand and iron content.