EVALUATION OF ROCK POWDER USE FOR PRIMARY WASTEWATER TREATMENT – AUXIPÓ
The formation of rock powder in suction fan bag filters in mining industries produces large amounts of solid wastes with low aggregated value and usually disposed as an asphaltic compound or in industrial landfills. However, this waste comprises high aluminum and silica levels in its chemical composition, therefore suggesting that it can attain a nobler use as an auxiliary coagulant in primary wastewater treatment. The laboratory tests developed at SENAI CIC (Curitiba, PR) showed that this powder improves color and turbidity removal rates in an average of 50% when applied to three different wastewaters. This technology named AUXIPÓ was developed aiming at a more sustainable disposal for this rock powder and at increasing primary wastewater treatment efficiency in industries.
