Compact Passive Treatment Process for Acid Mine Drainage, Utilizing Rice Husks and Rice Bran – Process Optimization

A biological passive mine water treatment system, which is environment-friendly and energy saving, has been developed by JOGMEC (Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation). In this “JOGMEC process”, contaminated mine water is treated in a vertical-flow anaerobic bioreactor that utilizes sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB). It is necessary to introduce compact passive treatment system with a higher flow rate (shorter hydraulic retention time (HRT)). Based on column tests, required HRT could be substantially shortened down to 6 hours with above neutralization process.