| |
Abstract  |
EPA 670 2 73 100 Spiral-wound reverse osmosis systems were tested on four different acid mine drainage discharges in west virginia and pennsylvania. Comparison studies were made of the hollow-fiber, tubular, and spiral-wound systems at a ferrous iron acid discharge; and of hollow-fiber and spiral-wound systems at a ferric iron acid discharge. At all sites, the limiting factor in high recovery operation was calcium sulfate insolubility. An empirical formula was developed for predicting maximum recovery. Application of reverse osmosis was demonstrated to be technically feasible for a large percentage of acid mine drainage discharges. A process called 'neutrolisis' was developed in which the reverse osmosis brine is neutralized and clarified, and the supernatant recycled to the influent to the reverse osmosis unit. In this manner, the neutrolosis process discharges only a high quality product water and a neutralized sludge. Neutrolosis recoveries as high as 98.8 percent were achieved at a ferric iron acid discharge site. (epa) |
|
