FLOCCULATION TREATMENT OF MINE WATER FROM FINE SUSPENDED SOLIDS

This paper presents the results of a study of the technology of flocculation treatment of mine water from fine suspended particles using the innovative “Sludge water treatment and sludge dewatering module» (LLC «STC Ecomash», Kharkiv, Ukraine). Mine water treatment is an important stage in ensuring the environmental safety of water resources and meets the requirements of modern environmental protection standards. Particular attention is paid to the role of the solid granular phase in the flocculation process, which not only increases the treatment efficiency but also reduces the consumption of flocculants. This, in turn, helps to reduce operating costs and improves the environmental safety of the process. Reducing the use of chemicals reduces the negative impact on the environment, reduces the risk of secondary water pollution and improves the environmental situation in the regions where the mines operate. It has been established that achieving the permissible level of suspended solids in mine water (up to 25 mg/l) is possible provided that the technological chain of devices is used in a continuous mode of operation, which ensures the stability and efficiency of the treatment process. Studies have shown that the addition of granular sludge with a hydraulic size of more than 40 microns significantly improves the aggregation of fine particles, contributing to the formation of heavy flocs that quickly settle in the settling tank. This significantly reduces cleaning time and increases process efficiency. Of particular importance is that the use of a solid granular phase in the flocculation process reduces the consumption of flocculants, which reduces operating costs and contributes to the environmental safety of the treatment process. Reducing the use of chemicals reduces the negative impact on the environment and reduces the risk of water pollution. The results of the study have great practical potential for implementation in real-world mine water treatment facilities, where they can provide not only effective mine water treatment, but also significantly increase economic efficiency by reducing the cost of chemicals. Given the need to ensure the sustainable development of the mining industry, the proposed results can be an important step towards the introduction of environmentally friendly and cost-effective technologies for mine water treatment. The development of such technologies will contribute to the improvement of water resources protection methods and ensure the long-term stability of natural ecosystems.