Faster Settling and Less Sludge

RCTS™ Outperforms Conventional Treatment System in Recent Study.
July 2008

IWT recently participated in a a mine-site study comparing the Rotating Cylinder Treatment System’s sludge settling capabilities with those of an operating conventional lime treatment system. This unique opportunity afforded IWT and mine operators the ability to evaluate RCTS and conventional treatment in an on-site operation rather than in a traditional laboratory setting. The test results conclusively demonstrated that RCTS can outperform conventional systems in settling and sludge generation - in this case, three times faster and with less sludge generation.

Most conventional lime systems used to remove metals from water must use flocculent in order to settle and filter the sludge that is generated from lime precipitation. Flocculent is not particularly expensive, as low concentrations are needed to effectuate settling, but the additive is often difficult to work with (particularly under cold conditions).  To the contrary, on most IWT sites the sludge that is generated from the RCTS™ is settled or filtered without the use of flocculent. This reduces chemical and operating costs.

The study utilized four (4) 1000 ml samples of untreated mine-impact water, neutralized with lime to a pH of 8.3. Sample A represented mine-site water from the conventional treatment system.  Samples B, C, and D represented RCTS™ treatments with flocculent added.

Sample A received flocculent and sulfide in concentrations consistent with the conventional treatment system on site he second sample received no additional treatment. Sample B received no additional chemical. Sample C received only flocculent in a concentration consistent with the on-site treatment system. Sample D received flocculent and sulfide at the concentration used in the conventional treatment.  All samples then were mixed with a mechanical stirrer at low speed and for the same duration and were allowed to settle for 20 minutes. A drastic settling time difference was noted after only two (2) minutes.

The settling rate for Samples C & D (RCTS™ treatments with flocculent added) was approximately 3 times faster than the conventional treatment.  Further, a lower volume of sludge was generated in all three RCTS™ treatments when compared to the conventional system.  Sample B (RCTS™ treatment without flocculent) settled slower than the three treatments with flocculent; however, the final volume of sludge in Sample B was significantly lower after 24 hours of settling.

IWT is pleased to add this study to the ever-increasing evidence that RCTS is often the better alternative to conventional lime and aeration systems in treating metal-laden waters.   

For more study Ionic Water Technologies, Inc. details or further information, please contact:
info@iwtechnologies.com - www.iwtechnologies.com

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