You are here:
SODA ASH TREATMENT OF NEUTRALIZED MINE DRAINAGE
Citation:
Long, D., J. Butler, AND M. Lenkevich. SODA ASH TREATMENT OF NEUTRALIZED MINE DRAINAGE. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/2-77/090.
Description:
Utilization of acid mine drainage (AMD) streams as a source of potable and industrial water has become a major goal of several proposed AMD treatment schemes. From among the various schemes available, the lime neutralization/soda ash softening process was selected for use at Altoona, Pennsylvania. The treatment plant, as constructed, has the capability of treating waters from Kittanning Run (acid mine polluted) alone or in combination with waters from other city sources to achieve: (1) neutralization and iron removal to levels satisfactory for stream release, (2) softening to approximately 100 mg/l CaCO3 hardness for municipal use, and (3) softening to a hardness of 200 mg/l CaCO3 or higher to meet industrial use requirements. The objective of this study was to evaluate the technical and economic feasibility of softening neutralized AMD waters by means of the cold lime/soda ash process. The study was conducted full-scale at the Altoona Treatment Plant located near the Horseshoe Curve area of Altoona, Pennsylvania. Unit processes employed at the plant consisted of lime neutralization, aeration, settling, soda ash softening, recarbonation, and filtration.