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

Manufactured in Germany

5/5

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

 

With 50 years of experience and more than 2.000 project references across the globe, Berghof Membranes is the leading manufacturer of high quality tubular membranes.  

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 team of 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.

 

 

Case Studies

Our projects

50 years of experience and more than 2.000 project references across the globe.

Dairy_1

AnMBR | Dairy Industry

A dairy processor in Richland County, Wisconsin needed to find an efficient process to generate electricity and heat from their wastewater and to further treat anaerobic industrial wastewater.

>> Read more

wastewater system food and beverage

MBR | Food & Beverages

In order to meet the increasing demand, Holland Malt has decided to double its
malting capacity. For this the company needed high-quality permeate to reuse for production.

>> Read more

recovery of valuable material metal and mining

Direct UF | Titanium Recovery

Our OEM-Partner needed to design a robust and adaptable UF system that could keep up with the high-solid streams and conditions of this demanding process while minimizing OPEX and fouling. 

>> Read more

Think outside the box

When it comes to membrane filtration, think outside the box and contact Berghof Membranes today.

More than just a membrane supplier

Contact Berghof Membranes

Get in touch today

Location

International Sales Office:
Agora 4, 8934 CJ Leeuwarden, 
The Netherlands

Contact Us

Phone : + 31 (0)58 8100 110

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