Chemistry: physical processes – Physical processes – Crystallization
Patent
1980-09-08
1982-05-04
Serwin, Ronald
Chemistry: physical processes
Physical processes
Crystallization
23230R, G01N 3324
Patent
active
043280013
ABSTRACT:
A method for producing graphic or mathematical boundary information, in the form of graphs and the like, and the use of such information, for more accurately predicting the acidity and alkalinity of water drainage from rock types which may be subjected to weathering conditions in earth moving operations.
Selected rock samples of particular rock types collected from a geographic location of interest are subjected to oxidation and leaching for a predetermined period of time to simulate natural weathering conditions to which the rock types may be exposed. The leachates from each rock sample are chemically analyzed by titration with standard acid and base solutions to selected end points to obtain their acidity or alkalinity concentrations, and these concentrations are differentiated for the particular rock sample to obtain a net acidity or alkalinity value for the rock sample.
Other portions of each rock sample are subjected to direct chemical analysis to determine their total acidity and alkalinity production potentials, and these total production potential values for a given rock type are plotted against each other on a suitable graph. Each sample plot is then identified as acidic or alkaline by its corresponding net acidity or alkalinity leachate value, and the so identified acid and alkaline plots are separated by a boundary line on the graph to establish areas of predicted acidity or alkalinity of the rock type to weathering conditions.
The boundary information as established on the graphs for each rock type is thereafter utilized by a field operator in an on-site location with total acid and alkaline production potential values obtained by direct chemical analysis of subsequent rock samples, to more accurately predict the acid or alkaline water drainage which will be produced from a rock sample when exposed to natural weathering conditions.
Such methods and data so produced are useful in mine permitting, and in mining operations to facilitate relocation of overburden materials to minimize acid water drainage therefrom.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3605501 (1971-09-01), Chenevert
Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Waste Water, 13th Edition, published by American Public Health Assoc., pp. 50-57.
Infanger et al., "Positioning Acid-Producing Overburden for Minimal Pollution," Presented at Symp. on Surface Mining Hydrology, Sedimentology and Reclamation at the Univ. of Kentucky, Lexington, Ky., Dec. 1-5, 1980.
Geidel et al., "Time as a Factor in Acid Mine Drainage Pollution," pp. 41-50 of Capers presented before Seventh Symposium of Coal Mine Drainage Research (Oct. 18-20, 1977).
Caruccio, The Ecology of Resource Degradation and Renewal, pp. 197-205, Blackwell Scientific Publications, 1975.
Geidel et al., "Geochem. Factors Affecting Coal Mine Drainage Quality," pp. 129-148 of Reclamation of Drastically Disturbed Lands, C. 1978, ASA-CSSA-SSSA, Madison, Wisc.
"Field and Lab. Methods Applicable to Overburdens and Minesoils," U. S. Environ. Protection Agency, EPA-600/2-78-054, Mar. 1978.
Caruccio Frank T.
Caruccio Gwendelyn G.
Manning, Jr,. Wellington M.
Serwin Ronald
Wilburn, Jr. Luke J.
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