Program Monday
|
Tuesday 4:20 Kimberly R. Weaver, P.E., Hedin Environmental Engineering Self-flushing Systems for Mine Drainage Treatment: Theory and Practice Author(s) Kimberly
R. Weaver, P.E.
A common goal of passive mine drainage treatment is the removal metals such as iron and aluminum from contaminated water. However, these metals form solid particles that can clog pipes and limestone aggregate, increasing operational costs and decreasing treatment system longevity. To combat this problem, a wide variety of flushing systems have been installed in passive treatment systems. Flushing systems usually consist of a network of perforated pipes buried in limestone, which drain via valved header pipes. Periodically, the valves are opened to allow large amounts of water to flush through the system and, ideally, remove accumulated solids. In recent years, self-flushing systems have been used to treat mine drainage. Flushing, either via valves or with self-flushing siphons, theoretically extends the useful life of passive systems by restoring porosity. Unfortunately, flushing system design is poorly understood and most systems are not designed using scientific or engineering principles. Additionally, few systems are subjected to rigorous monitoring after they are constructed. The purpose of this paper is to provide a survey of flushing technologies currently being used, detail one method of using engineering principles to design flushing networks, and discuss the implications of this analysis on future flushing technologies. Biography Kim Weaver, P.E., is a project manager at Hedin Environmental,
a small
Pittsburgh PA consulting firm specializing in mine drainage assessment and treatment. As an undergraduate civil engineering student at |