Program
All Presentations (pdf)

Monday
8:15 Brent Means
10:10 James J. Gusek
12:40 Jonathan M. Dietz
2:15 Kimberly R. Weaver
4:00 Brent Means

Tuesday
8:45 Robert Kleinmann
9:15 Brent Means
9:30 James J. Gusek
10:00 Glenn C. Miller
10:30 Linda Ann Figueroa
12:40 Art Rose
1:10 Charles A. Cravotta III
1:40 Danielle M C Huminicki
2:50 Bernard Aube
3:20 Timothy K. Tsukamoto
3:50 Bradley R. Shultz
4:20 Kimberly R. Weaver

Wednesday
8:00 Linda Ann Figueroa
8:30 John Senko
9:00 Song Jin
10:10 Jonathan M. Dietz
10:40 Daryle H. Fish
12:40 John Chermak
1:10 Griff Wyatt
1:40 Dan Mueller
2:50 Sean C. Muller
3:20 Jack Adams
3:50 Roger Bason
3:50 Mark B. Carew

Thursday
8:00 Rep. John E. Peterson
8:30 Scott Sibley
9:00 Charles A. Cravotta III
9:30 Michael R. Silsbee
10:30 Lykourgos Iordanidis
11:00 Mark Conedera
11:30 Barry Scheetz
1:25 William Benusa
1:55 Mike Sawayda
2:25 Susan J. Tewalt
3:25 Robert S. Hedin
3:55 Chad J. Penn
4:25 Ron Neufeld

Activated Iron Solids (AIS) Treatment: A Low Cost Long Term Active Treatment Alternative for High Iron AMD

Author(s)

Jonathan M. Dietz, Ph.D.
Iron Oxide Technologies, LLC
672 Devonshire Drive
State College, PA 16803
814-278-7596
dietzetal@adelphia.net

Abstract

Widespread deep coal mining has created numerous large underground reservoirs of ferrous iron-laden acidic mine drainage (AMD). These contaminated deep mine reservoirs typically discharge at high volumes (1 to 50 million gallons per day) and at single or multi-point locations. Treatment of these high flow AMD discharges has been accomplished using conventional lime-based treatment, but the high annual chemical, manpower and energy costs, as well as the disposal costs of the low-density (1-4% solids) and impure sludge has limited treatment to regulated discharges and long term treatment of these discharges is a significant liability. Passive treatment is typically not an option due to large land area requirements (20 to 200 acres), uncertain performance, and costly sludge removal. An innovative active treatment known as Activated Iron Solids (AIS) treatment of AMD (patent pending) has been developed to provide a low-cost active treatment alternative. The AIS process involves a self-perpetuating and catalytic surface chemistry oxidation process that occurs at slightly acidic pH to accomplish ferrous oxidation; the required step in the removal of iron from AMD. Also, the AIS process does not require the use of chemicals (e.g., lime) for net alkaline AMD and can use inexpensive powdered limestone for net acidic AMD. AIS Treatment forms a high-density (20 to 30% solids), high iron oxide purity (exceeding 95%) solid that are easily recovered. The AIS Treatment chemistry, experiences in AIS Treatment testing, various system designs will be discussed. Comparisons of AIS Treatment costs to current treatment conventions costs will be provided.

Presentation

Biography

EDUCATION:
B.S., Biology and Earth Science, Clarion University, 1983
M.S., Environmental Pollution Control, Penn State University, 1989
Ph.D. Environmental Engineering, Penn State, University, 2003

Jon Dietz has spent more than 15 years in the consulting industry conducting NEPA studies, water quality and aquatic ecology assessments, R&D of innovative technologies, and designing mine drainage treatment systems. Jon returned to Penn State University from the consulting industry in 2000 to continue his education and study environmental chemistry & engineering and has recently graduated with his Doctorate in Environmental Engineering. During his doctorate Jon developed “new” heterogeneous (surface chemistry) ferrous iron sorption & oxidation kinetic models, which he has used to develop the next generation of AMD treatment systems, known as AIS/SBR treatment of mine drainage. Jon also conducted research into abiotic manganese oxidation kinetics and alkalinity generation from limestone, based on kinetics and solubility reactions, which he has used to develop new passive treatment approaches. During his professional career Jon has conducted numerous AMD abatement projects including watershed assessments, watershed restoration plans, and prepared final and conceptual designs for over 30 discharges in the eastern U.S. coal region. He also has provided technical expertise on water resource studies including a variety of Environmental Assessments (EA), Environmental Impact Statements (EIS), 319 thermal discharge studies, National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) studies, and surface water quality standards for ammonia (that have been promulgated for New Jersey waters). Jon has authored and/or co-authored over 50 technical reports, journal articles, proceedings and presentations during his professional career.