Alpine biochemical reactor wastewater treatment

Knowledge graph centered on Alpine biochemical reactor wastewater treatment with 22 nodes and 65 connections. Top connected: Crested Butte, Bacteria, Salvelinus fontinalis, Coal Creek, TOC analysis.

Method synopsis

Pilot-scale biochemical reactor using limestone-buffered organic substrate with bacterial inoculum for anaerobic treatment of mining influenced wastewater under harsh alpine conditions. System operates passively using solar power for pumping with continuous monitoring.

Synthesized from method descriptions across 1 paper using this protocol.

Procedure as described in the canonical source

Steps below were extracted from the paper that introduces this protocol — PASSIVE TREATMENT OF MINING INFLUENCED WASTEWATER WITH BIOCHEMICAL REACTOR TREATMENT AT THE STANDARD MINE SUPERFUND SITE, CRESTED BUTTE, COLORADO (2012), Journal American Society of Mining and Reclamation. Implementations in other papers (listed below) may differ.

1. Construct BCR reactor system
   Built biochemical reactor using mixture of limestone-buffered organic substrate including hay, woodchips, sawdust, and bacterial inoculum to encourage sulfate reducing bacteria growth. Connected to adit discharge via two four-inch PVC pipes feeding surge anticipation tank.
   Quantities: Design flowrate of 3.8 L/min (1 gpm), hydraulic residence time of approximately 31 hoursDuration: Construction completed summer 2007, operation began September 2007Conditions: Alpine site at 3,353 m elevation, harsh winter conditions with snow cover late November through mid-July
   Equipment: limestone, hay, woodchips, sawdust, bacterial inoculum, four-inch PVC pipes, surge anticipation tank
2. Install automated monitoring system
   Installed Hach Hydrolab MS5™ sondes in influent surge anticipation tank and effluent discharge standpipe to measure ORP, temperature, and pH at 15-minute intervals. Connected satellite transmission system for daily remote monitoring.
   Quantities: Two Hach Hydrolab MS5™ sondes, 15-minute measurement intervals, daily satellite transmissionDuration: Installation September 2009, successfully transmitting since installationConditions: Continuous operation through alpine winter conditions
   Equipment: Hach Hydrolab MS5™ sondes, satellite transmission system, 12-volt solar system
3. Measure flow rates

Typical Equipment

• limestone
• organic substrate
• PVC pipes
• solar powered pump
• Hach Hydrolab MS5™ sondes
• flume
• ISCO 730 bubbler Module™

Output Measurements

• dissolved metals concentrations
• pH
• temperature
• ORP
• sulfate reduction
• flow rates

Papers Using This Protocol (1)

Species Studied With This Protocol

Places Where Used