Dimensionado de sistemas de tratamiento de aguas acidas de mina
Abstract
Resumen: Los drenajes de mina por lo general son ácidos y contienen elevadas concentraciones de Fe, Al, SO4, además de Zn, Mn, Mg, Cu, Cd, Pb y As, son la principal fuente de biodisponibilidad de elementos contaminantes que degradan la calidad de los ecosistemas acuáticos. Esta problemática puede persistir durante décadas e incluso cientos de años una vez concluida la actividad minera. Para revertir esta problemática, en los últimos años en el sector minero de Perú, se han venido implementando una serie normas y referencias para el control ambiental como los Estándares de Calidad Ambiental (ECA) y los Límites Máximos Permitidos (LMP), que junto con otros dispositivos legales forman parte obligada de la gestión ambiental en minería, y hacen posible el desarrollo de proyectos mineros sostenibles. Para que las descargas de mina cumplan con estas exigencias es necesario que las empresas mineras implementen una nueva planta de tratamiento o acometan la optimización del proceso de las actuales plantas de neutralización existentes. En este trabajo se describen los resultados de un gran número de ensayos de laboratorio y mediciones en campo orientados a determinar la acidez total de las aguas de mina, en donde se incluya la acidez protónica debida al pH y la acidez mineral correspondiente a la carga metálica presente en cada efluente, esta información es base en los ensayos de neutralización porque lo que hay que abatir es la acidez presente en las aguas de mina. También se describe el dimensionado de los dispositivos de tratamiento activo o químico con cal, basados en ensayos experimentales de neutralización, floculación, coagulación y secuestro de fases sólidas y la obtención de subproductos de donde se pueden recuperar o reciclar metales, lo que permite reducir los costos de tratamiento y el desarrollo de una minería sostenida que respeta el medioambiente.
Abstract: Mine drainages are usually acidic and contain high concentrations of Fe, Al, SO4, in addition to Zn, Mn, Mg, Cu, Cd, Pb and As, are the main source of bioavailability of contaminants that degrade the quality of aquatic ecosystems. This problem can persist for decades and even hundreds of years once the mining activity is concluded. To reverse this problem, in recent years in the mining sector in Peru, a series of standards and references for environmental control have been implemented, such as the Environmental Quality Standards (ECA) and the Maximum Permitted Limits (LMP), which together with Other legal devices are an obligatory part of the environmental management in mining, and make possible the development of sustainable mining projects. In order for the mine discharges to comply with these requirements, it is necessary for the mining companies to implement a new treatment plant or undertake the process optimization of the existing existing neutralization plants. This paper describes the results of a large number of laboratory tests and field measurements aimed at determining the total acidity of mine waters, including the protonic acidity due to pH and the mineral acidity corresponding to the metallic load. present in each effluent, this information is based on the neutralization tests because what must be killed is the acidity present in the mine waters. It also describes the dimensioning of active or chemical treatment devices with lime, based on experimental tests of neutralization, flocculation, coagulation and sequestration of solid phases and the obtaining of by-products from where metals can be recovered or recycled, which reduces the treatment costs and the development of a sustainable mining that respects the environment.
Abstract: Mine drainages are usually acidic and contain high concentrations of Fe, Al, SO4, in addition to Zn, Mn, Mg, Cu, Cd, Pb and As, are the main source of bioavailability of contaminants that degrade the quality of aquatic ecosystems. This problem can persist for decades and even hundreds of years once the mining activity is concluded. To reverse this problem, in recent years in the mining sector in Peru, a series of standards and references for environmental control have been implemented, such as the Environmental Quality Standards (ECA) and the Maximum Permitted Limits (LMP), which together with Other legal devices are an obligatory part of the environmental management in mining, and make possible the development of sustainable mining projects. In order for the mine discharges to comply with these requirements, it is necessary for the mining companies to implement a new treatment plant or undertake the process optimization of the existing existing neutralization plants. This paper describes the results of a large number of laboratory tests and field measurements aimed at determining the total acidity of mine waters, including the protonic acidity due to pH and the mineral acidity corresponding to the metallic load. present in each effluent, this information is based on the neutralization tests because what must be killed is the acidity present in the mine waters. It also describes the dimensioning of active or chemical treatment devices with lime, based on experimental tests of neutralization, flocculation, coagulation and sequestration of solid phases and the obtaining of by-products from where metals can be recovered or recycled, which reduces the treatment costs and the development of a sustainable mining that respects the environment.
Description
No. 5