Getting the Lead Out! Operations at the Leadville Treatment Facility

摘要

The plant was designed/built to treat mine drainage to comply with EPA discharge limitations. Extensive pilot plant testing by independent Engineer preceded the plant design. Heavy metals are precipitated and removed as metal hydroxides using caustic soda. The plant uses the dense sludge process for precipitation and clarification. The dense sludge process minimizes chemical usage, reduces the foot print and eliminates separate thickener. The plant has been in continuous operation since 1991 and the treated effluent has always been in compliance with EPA limitations.