Todd DeJournett (Minnesota) will present a technical session at the 2018 Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration (SME) Annual Conference & Expo, & 91st Annual Meeting of the SME-MN Section, held at the Minneapolis Conventions Center at 2:00 p.m. on February 28, 2018.

Todd's presentation is entitled "Advances in Membrane Treatment and Concentrate Management" and addresses the regulation of bulk chemistry parameters, such as sulfate, alkalinity, and chloride in mine water discharges. He will introduce the concept of the "entropy box," a thermodynamic limitation created by multiple overlapping effluent bulk chemistry requirements. Operating within the entropy box requires the application of energy to mine water discharges. The technical difficulty and cost of this challenge, not only in mining, but also in other industries, have resulted in significant research and technology development for more cost-effective ways to apply chemical, mechanical, or thermal energy to manage entropy.

The SME Annual Conference and Exhibition is typically attended by more than 6,000 industry professionals from across the world, and facilitates sharing of ideas, best practices and research in more than 120 technical sessions.

The Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration Inc. (SME) is a professional society (nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation) whose more than 15,000 membership represents professionals serving the minerals industry in more than 100 countries. SME members include engineers, geologists, metallurgists, educators, students, and researchers. SME advances the worldwide mining and underground construction community through information exchange and professional development.

Abstract

Regulation of bulk chemistry parameters, such as sulfate, alkalinity, and chloride in mine water discharges can define an "entropy box" that presents a thermodynamic challenge for the modern mine. Managing entropy requires the application of energy in the chemical, mechanical, or thermal form. While application of energy results in a net increase in entropy, the location of this increase varies based on the form of energy applied. Process modeling to track the entropy inventory is beneficial for optimizing the transfer of entropy from discharge water to another compartment. Reverse osmosis technology divides entropy in water into a low-entropy permeate and a high-entropy concentrate through the application of mechanical energy. This technology has roots in Minnesota but has seen broader implementation elsewhere due to limited options for membrane concentrate management in Minnesota. However, increasing regulatory requirements for concentrate management in regions where membrane treatment is more widespread is fueling innovation in membrane technology, antiscalant chemistry, and concentrate management technologies that could apply to mining operations in Minnesota.

More Information

Learn more about the presentation: Advances in Membrane Treatment and Concentrate Management.
Learn more about the event: http://www.smeannualconference.com/.
For consultation regarding Membrane Treatment, contact Todd DeJournett at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Learn more about Todd: https://www.geosyntec.com/people/todd-dejournett