MINE TAILINGS & ACID MINE DRAINAGE

Key Message

Mine tailings, and especially AMD, can have a huge environmental impact related to pollution by heavy metals. The discharge standards are becoming tighter day after day. Moreover, mining operators are becoming aware that advanced technologies for minimum or zero liquid discharge make them more competitive and also improve their brand reputation. Tubular UF coupled to a chemical precipitation process delivers superior quality water, to be reused or discharged with full reliability.

Direct UF for mine tailings and acid mine drainage

Berghof membranes completely remove the particles and colloids present in mine tailings and acid mine drainage. For removing the dissolved metals, a previous chemical treatment is applied: by increasing the pH with lime, the different metals and heavy metals precipitate (neutral or alkaline pH is applied, depending on the specific compounds to be removed). Tubular UF membranes replace the traditional settlers and multimedia filters:

 The external tubular MBR for dairy wastewater treatment has numerous advantages over the conventional biological processes and the submerged MBRs:

Quality

In just one step with a compact footprint, a permeate with superior and consistent quality is obtained.

Recovery

UF recovery is high (up to 98%) because of the ability of tubular membranes to handle high concentrations of solids.

Chemical Resistant

Chemical resistant CR membranes are installed when high pH is required for precipitation.

Reduced costs

The fact that the UF is an absolute barrier for the sub-micron particles reduces the use of chemicals, with less expenses in chemical products and sludge management.

Adaptive

The cross-flow filtration and the adaptive operational strategies (backwash, CEB, CIP) minimize the fouling, maximize the permeate flux and provide reliable and stable operation.

Fully Automated

Berghof’s fully automated systems require minimal staffing. The external membranes are easily accessible, the maintenance is simple and with minimum downtime.

Mine tailings and AMD treatment - the process

Mine tailings and acid mine drainage are treated in a process combining chemical precipitation and tubular ultrafiltration. The first precipitation step is carried out with the addition of chemicals (NaOH, Ca(OH)2…) for increasing the pH and promoting the precipitation of dissolved metals. Oxidants like air are also provided for promoting the oxidation of the Fe2+. The tubular modules with chemical resistant membranes separate the suspended matter, producing a permeate with an almost negligible concentration of metals and a reject that is sent for dewatering. The UF permeate, after neutralization, can be safely discharged into water bodies. Alternatively, it can be reused in the mining facilities, either directly or after reverse osmosis in those cases where deionized water is required for reuse.

PFD of treatment of mine tailings and AMD

Project References​

Take a look at our case studies

Water softening | New Material Industry

Project Details

Application: Water softening
Capacity: 200 m3/d
Membrane: 8mm PVDF, CR
Location: Huguan County (China)
Read more

AnMBR & MBR | Dairy Industry

Project Details

Product: AnMBR and MBR in parallel
Membrane: 8mm, PVDF, backwashable
Capacity: 1,900 m3/day
COD load: 9,000 to 18,000 kg/day
Location: Wisconsin
Read more

AnMBR | Creamery

Project Details

Product: AnMBR
Membrane: 8mm, PVDF, backwashable
Capacity: 155 m3/day
BOD load: 1,587 kg/day
Location: Menomonie, Wisconsin
Read more

Manufactured in Germany

Made in a state-of-the art LEAN-production facility, with highly-trained production personnel and materials of the highest quality.

Tubular UF Membrane Modules ​

To prevent fouling and clogging, Berghof Membranes developed its line of robust tubular UF (ultrafiltration) membrane modules based on inside-out crossflow filtration.

Membrane Skid systems​

Berghof Membranes developed B-SMART®, a customizable external membrane filtration system that can be designed with various features and functionalities.

Pilot systems & Lab testing​

Bridging the gap between lab-scale testing and manufacturing. Our experts gives you the confidence to apply the technology for your specific wastewater challenges.

B-CARE® Service and Support

The B-CARE® program is an end-to-end comprehensive program developed to support our OEM partners from the piloting/engineering phase to operational system monitoring.