Improved process for treatment of minewater

摘要

A process for the treatment of mine water comprises dosing and adjusting the pH of the mine water to allow the precipitation of contaminants, and employs a siphon 1 and an aeration tank 7 which lacks physical mixing means. Ideally, the aeration tank comprises a bubble diffuser and media 17 to enable microbial growth, and is heated. Ideally, the system is sealed and pumps are used to prime the system such that the siphon or natural static head transfers the water from a source to a junction tank 3. Preferably, water and sludge are mixed 2 before being transferred to a junction tank. Water is pumped from the junction tank to an aeration tank and returned back to the junction tank wherein during the transfer additives 18 are added to the water. The treated mixture is transferred from the junction tank to hydrocyclones 11 for separating the solids from the water. The water is discharged and the separated solids are dewatered and either discharged or recycled back into the process. A mine water treatment system comprising an aeration tank with a bubble diffuser, junction tank, hydrocyclones and a control panel.