Physicochemical and rheological Study on property distributions depending on the pH of mine drainage in oxidation ponds

Abstract

In an attempt to identify the flow characteristics and property distributions depending on the pH of acid mine drainage (AMD) in oxidation ponds, in-situ distribution test, and tracer test were carried out. Consequently the variation of properties, property distributions in the oxidation ponds, flow pattern, and retention time of the AMD were measured. In addition, the flow pattern of the AMD that flowed into the ponds was evaluated using computational flow analysis. As a result, the AMD that flowed into the ponds tended to form a specific route while other areas remained stagnant. Furthermore, the ferrous concentration, dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, electric conductivity (EC), total dissolved solid (TDS), turbidity, and water depth were found to have been directly affected by flow pattern of the AMD, which was related to the iron precipitation reaction rate and retention time of the AMD.