Sawdust reactor cleans up mine wastewater
Article Abstract:
The Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory has developed a biological cleanup process for precipitating metals dissolved in mine wastewater into their original form as sulfates. The cost of the process is expected to be only around one-third of that of lime mineralization, the conventional method, according to William Apel, a scientific fellow at the laboratory. The technology consists of a "sawdust reactor," a rectangular vessel containing sawdust atop a layer of mud obtained at the mine site. Naturally occurring fungi in the sawdust convert the cellulose and hemicellulose into carbohydrates, which, in turn, are converted into organic acids through fermentation. The acids are then oxidized by sulfate-reducing bacteria, generating an electron flow that cuts the metal sulfates in the water to sulfides, which precipitate as powder.
Comment:
Idaho laboratory develops biological cleanup process for precipitating metals dissolved in mine wastewater
Publication Name: Chemical Engineering
Subject: Engineering and manufacturing industries
ISSN: 0009-2460
Year: 1998
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A burning issue: putting the heat on air pollutants
Article Abstract:
Chemical process industries (CPIs) can find thermal oxidizers a good option for controlling emissions of volatile organic compounds and hazardous air pollutants. Depending on their needs, CPIs may choose from various types of units for oxidizing solvent-laden air. These are straight through burners, recuperative thermal oxidizers, which utilize shell-and- tube heat exchangers to transfer heat from the exhaust to incoming process gases, and regenerative thermal oxidizers.
Publication Name: Chemical Engineering
Subject: Engineering and manufacturing industries
ISSN: 0009-2460
Year: 1999
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