PENETRON Helps Clean Up a Creek in Coal Country
East Setauket, New York (PRWEB) February 29, 2016 -- PENETRON ADMIX was incorporated into the concrete of the Northern West Virginia Advanced Water Treatment Facility to protect against aggressive chemicals found in the water. Consol Energy dedicated its new facility this month, where water from underground mines is being treated to reduce harmful discharges.
When Dunkard Creek, located in a coal mining region in the Monongahela Valley in West Virginia, developed toxic golden algae blooms that quickly killed all the fish and other aquatic life along a 30-mile stretch of the creek, Consol Energy knew it was time to act.
Consol Energy constructed a new water treatment plant in Mannington, West Virginia, to collect acidic discharge water from three local coal mines. The new facility is a zero solids discharge plant designed to remove pollutants from the mine water (no effluent leftover) that would normally be funneled directly into local rivers.
MUTI-STAGE CLEANING PROCESS
Once the water is gathered from the mines, a sophisticated cleaning process begins. The initial processes remove sediments and solids, followed by chemical treatment, mixing, equalization and, finally, a reverse osmosis process. The treatment process removes suspended solids from the water and also the dissolved metals and solids. These are effectively precipitated by solution and then gathered during the treatment process. Finally, the metals and solids removed from the water are further dehydrated and pressed into solid dry cakes, which are disposed of at an onsite and environmentally sound landfill.
ADDING DURABILITY TO A TOXIC-FREE STRUCTURE
PENETRON ADMIX was used to treat both concrete tanks exposed to the high levels of dissolved solids and salts in the treatment process. The unique integral waterproofing product was selected because of its ability to prevent chlorides from migrating into concrete and causing premature structural failures in aggressive environments.
“PENETRON crystalline technology not only creates a highly durable concrete structure, but is also non-toxic and free of volatile organic compounds,” explains Christopher Chen, Director of The PENETRON Group. “Our products also comply with the latest standards, including ASTM and EN testing standards, for durability and permeability.”
In the short time since the start of operations, several local agencies report that the clean-up of the water by the new Consol plant brought prompt results. Water samples taken throughout the Monongahela watershed have shown a rapid return of diverse aquatic life once again.
The PENETRON Group is a leading manufacturer of specialty construction products for concrete waterproofing, concrete repairs and floor preparation systems. The Group operates through a global network, offering support to the design and construction community through its regional offices, representatives and distribution channels.
For more information on PENETRON waterproofing solutions, please visit penetron(dot)com or Facebook(dot)com/ThePenetronGroup, email CRDept(at)penetron(dot)com, or contact the Corporate Relations Department at 631-941-9700.
Corporate Relations, The Penetron Group, http://www.penetron.com, +1 (631) 941-9700, [email protected]
Share this article