Subject Details: SME - Geochem Research BV has more than 15 years of experience in the development of innovative methods for environmental management. The company uses its knowledge of natural geochemical processes and minerals to find cost-effective solutions for environmental problems. Some examples are: Phosphate recovery from calf manure by means of struvite precipitation; Neutralization of waste sulfuric acid by olivine, and the neutralization and purification of acid mine water with pelletized Bauxsol or Red Mud.
Turnover: 0,16 million EURO
Keywords: Geochemical Engineering Hydraulic Engineering Civil Engineering Reactive Transport Mineralization Adsorption Heavy Metals Waste Management Metal Mining Tailing Ponds. Central and Eastern European Countries Future and Emerging Technologies Green Technologies/ Chemicals Materials Technology/ Engineering Minning
Non-metallic Mineral Technology Petrology, Mineralogy and Geochemistry Process Engineering
Partners already acquired: Hydeko-KV (Slovac Republic), International Intstitute for Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering (The Netherlands), Kalkzandsteenfabriek Harderwijk (Netherlands).North African Services Company (Tunisia)
Collaboration Participation: Type A Type: Project Proposal Title: Pelletized Red-mud for Effluent Purification by Adsorption for Remediation of the Environment
Type Details: Recent environmental disasters with tailings ponds of the European mining industry, have drawn public attention to the risks of the accumulation of large volumes of toxic and liquid waste.
The new Bauxsol technology has been introduced by Virotec (Australia), allowing the rapid and cost-effective purification of mine waste water, by means of blending with treated waste of the bauxite refinement.
Geochem Research has transformed the fine-grained Bauxsol into a granular material. Pelletized Bauxsol or Red mud can be used to construct permeable dams or filters. Mine water, percolating through this granular adsorbent is effectively neutralized and purified. In this way, the risky accumulation of large volumes of toxic, liquid waste is no longer necessary and future accidents with tailing ponds are prevented.
Geochem Research, in cooperation with Virotec, likes to optimise its recipes for the fabrication of Bauxsol or Red mud pellets, design proper filters for the most effective neutralization and purification, and demonstrate the efficiency of the method by means of application at tailing ponds that most urgently have to be taken care of.
Validity Date: 2002-10-01
Workprogramme area(s)/key action(s) (EESD PART A) Environment and sustainable development (EESD 1) KA Sustainable Management and quality of water (EESD 8) RTD Activities of a generic nature (PART B)
Target Partner Expertise: Geochem Research BV seeks partners that can offer the following: Research facilities to perform column percolation and adsorption experiments, including analysis of metal concentrations. Civil engineering and construction of pipelines and filters. Internet technology for an efficient management of a research and demonstration project with various partners in different countries. Modelling/Modelling tools and 4-D modelling of reactive transport with emphasis on percolation and adsorption on porous grains. Country: Any Country
Contact Person Name: ZIJLSTRA, Hans (Dr) Organization: SME
Position: R & D Manager Department/Unit 1: Research & Development
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