Neutralization of acidic discharges from abandoned underground coal mines by alkaline injection
The hydrologic characteristics of two abandoned underground coal mine sites, near Latrobe, PA, and Uniontown, PA, were investigated by the US Bureau of Mines for possible implementation of alkaline injection into the mine pools as a means of abating their acid discharges. The Latrobe site was chosen for a one-time application of alkaline injection to achieve a partial, short-term neutralization of a limited portion of the mine pool. A quantity of alkaline reagent (sodium hydroxide) sufficient for a one-time neutralization of the water in this portion of the pool was added. Although nearly all of the neutralizing reagent had moved away from the injection wells within 6 weeks, no evidence of neutralization was noted at the mine discharge during the study period. This lack of neutralization probably occurred because the injection wells did not intercept a primary flow path through the mine. Criteria for successful application of alkaline injection at this or other sites include (1) positive identification of the primary flow paths through the mine pool and (2) addition of quantities of alkaline reagent sufficient to neutralize the entire volume of the pool along the primary flow path.
- OSTI ID:
- 5911883
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
012033* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Underground Mining-- Mine Environment-- (1987-)
ABANDONED SITES
ACID MINE DRAINAGE
ACID NEUTRALIZING CAPACITY
ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS
CHEMISTRY
COAL MINES
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
FLUID FLOW
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROLOGY
HYDROXIDES
INJECTION WELLS
MINE DRAINING
MINES
MINING
MONITORING
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
SODIUM COMPOUNDS
SODIUM HYDROXIDES
UNDERGROUND FACILITIES
UNDERGROUND MINING
WATER CHEMISTRY
WATER POLLUTION
WATER QUALITY
WELLS