Neutralization of acidic discharges from abandoned underground coal mines by alkaline injection. Report of investigations/1993
The hydrologic characteristics of two abandoned underground coal mine sites, near Latrobe, PA, and Unionntown, PA, were investigated by the U.S. Bureau of Mines for possible implementation of alkaline injection into the mine pools as a means of abating their acid discharges. 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 has moved away from the injection wells within 6 weeks, no evidence of neutralization was noted at the mine discharge during the study period. The 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.
- Research Organization:
- Bureau of Mines, Pittsburgh, PA (United States). Pittsburgh Research Center
- OSTI ID:
- 5987680
- Report Number(s):
- PB-93-227411/XAB; BUMINES-RI--9468
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
010900* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Environmental Aspects
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540350 -- Environment
Aquatic-- Site Resource & Use Studies-- (1990-)
ACID MINE DRAINAGE
ACID NEUTRALIZING CAPACITY
ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS
CHEMISTRY
COAL MINES
CONTROL
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROLOGY
HYDROXIDES
IMPLEMENTATION
INJECTION WELLS
MASS TRANSFER
MINES
MINING
NORTH AMERICA
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PENNSYLVANIA
POLLUTION CONTROL
REAGENTS
SAFETY STANDARDS
SODIUM COMPOUNDS
SODIUM HYDROXIDES
STANDARDS
UNDERGROUND FACILITIES
UNDERGROUND MINING
USA
WATER CHEMISTRY
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL
WELLS