Verification of numerical modeling results using analytical solution for oxygen diffusion process in sulfide waste dump

摘要

Weathering of pyrite -containing rocks causes the well-known problem of acid rock drainage. Depending on the rate of pyrite oxidation, availability of water and oxidants and buffering capacity of surrounding rocks and sediments, the pH of the drainage is often very low When the pyrite or other sulfide mineral exposure by the atmosphere and water, the acid mine drainage was generated. Oxygen can be transported into the waste deposit by three mechanisms: (1) advective transport with water, (2) free ore forced air convection and (3) diffusion in the gaseous and aqueous phases through pores in waste material In generally, the pyrite oxidation and acid generation were controlled by oxygen diffusion. So, in this research was attempted that variation of oxygen concentration in waste dump depths was investigated and the analytical and numerical models results (obtained using PHOENICS software) were compared. The obtained results can use for controlling and reducing the environmental impacts.