Mining & Mineral Recovery
Metals of concern include copper, lead, chromium, cadmium, manganese, nickel, silver, and zinc. To address this problem, scientists at Los Alamos National Laboratory have developed a technology known as Polymer Filtration, which couples water-soluble polymers with ultrafiltration. This technology uses a homogeneous solution in which the polymer binds with metal ions, a process which is many times faster than conventional ion-exchange resins. After the polymer binds to the metal ions, the polymer-metal association is filtered and concentrated using a method known as ultrafiltration. The resultant metal can be recovered and the water meets all the regulatory requirements. The Los Alamos process can address the acid mine drainage problem by using these water soluble polymers.
- 2400 abandoned mine sites;
- User facility available, Separation Science & Technology Technical Deployment Center;
- FY95-bench scale;
- FY91-tested on actual acid mine drainage from Berkeley Pit, Butte Montana;
- Patents have been filed and issued.
| Commercial Applications Contact: | Patricia J. Robinson (n,p) Energy, Inc. Phone: (505) 888-1996 E-mail: Radwasted@aol.com |
| Technical Questions Contact: |
Dr. Barbara F. Smith |
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