Oil, gas and mining Print
Mining of metals is a large industry in the world. The mining industry can however have quite an impact on the environment as the rock, dirt and stones that are left over from the mining process are exposed to the air. Through the oxidation of sulphides, that are often available in rocks with large quantities of valuable metals, sulphate is produced. Through rainwater the sulphate is dissolved, which leads to Acidification of the rainwater.Acid mine drainage (AMD), or acid rock drainage (ARD), refers to the outflow of acidic water from (usually) abandoned metal mines or coal mines, usually within areas where the rocks contain an abundance of sulfide minerals.
 

The clean mine process
To control the microbiological ecology within the mines, and stimulate growth of bacteria that are not causing Acid Mine Drainage. These bacteria will in the end outperform the bacteria responsible for Acid Mine Drainage. The prevention of Acid Mine Drainage will ensure a good functioning of higher organisms in this natural environment, such as trees, bush, and maybe even fish. Furthermore it will yield a source for drinkingwater production with no needs for difficult processing in an aera where there is a huge lack of readily accessable sources for drinkingwater production.

DVR
At this moment a pilot unit is running on salt production water (15%) of a Barnet Shale natural gas well. In this case it is not allowed to re-inject the water in the well. Transporting it to a central treatment unit is too expensive. In calculations it is proved that the application of the DVR is an economical interesting option. The DVR produces 90% dematerialized water which can be used as fractioning water and 10% salty brine with a concentration of 34% TDS.