Polyelectrolyte dissolving station for the recommissioning of a mine.

Alltech is supplying a polyelectrolyte dissolving station for the recommissioning of an Irish zinc and lead mine.

Alltech is supplying a polymer concentrate dosing station and a POLYMAT polyelectrolyte dissolving station for the recommissioning of an Irish zinc and lead mine. The dosing station is directly attached to the dissolving plant.

The POLYMAT is a fully automatic, continuous or discontinuous polyelectrolyte dissolving station that operates according to the three-chamber flow-through principle. A POLYMAT 4000 was built for this project, which delivers a maximum of 4000 l/h of ready-to-use solution.

Polymer treatment plants are used in process water treatment and to support the dewatering of sludge produced in the mining production process. Polymer in liquid form (polymer concentrate) or as granules is first treated in the polyelectrolyte dissolving station so that it can then be used.

Positive effects on the environment

The processing of zinc and lead ores produces fine sludge and process water. The aim is to aggregate these fine particles (from the raw material extraction process) into flocs so that they can be more easily settled or filtered.

This facilitates the subsequent particle separation in a dewatering machine (a press or centrifuge) and the recovery of clear water for recirculation into the system.

Process water treatment reduces fresh water consumption in zinc and lead extraction. Another positive effect for the environment is that the sludge produced during raw material extraction is better dewatered. Dewatering improves the efficiency of subsequent processes such as incineration or composting of the sludge.