Abstract |
A study of various acid mine drainage sludge conditioning methods and dewatering systems was made. Acid mine drainage and sludge from neutralization plants were characterized. Four sludges were selected as being representative of the various types of sludges produced by the lime/limestone neutralization of acid mine drainage. The conditioning methods studied were: freezing, use of flocculants, and use of filter aids. The six dewatering systems evaluated were: (1) conventional rotary vacuum filtration, (2) rotary precoat vacuum filtration, (3) pressure filtration, (4) porous bed filtration, (5) thermal spray drying, and (6) centrifugation. On the basis of cost, the most promising acid mine drainage sludge dewatering techniques appear to be centrifugation, rotary vacuum filtration and rotary precoat vacuum filtration. (Modified author abstract) |