1980-07-11_REVISION - M1977493 (8)

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Laboratory work on removing impurities from Climax outfall water was initiated in 1973 with methods for removing molybdenum from the industrial water . This work led to the pilot testing during 1975 of the Chem-Seps Continuous Counter Current Ion Exchange (CCIX) unit for removing molybdenum. In order to assess the ability to comply with the permit limitations on the other wastewater parameters , there was an intensive effort during 1975 and 1976 to develop a system to remove the remaining heavy metals and other significant materials from industrial waters . This research was oriented at several different methods thought capable of reducing effluent concentrations. These were lime precipitation, cation exchange , manganese dioxide absorption, ferric hydroxide absorption, chlorination, ozonation, and the Swift Lectro-Clear pr.ocess.Research indicated the Swift Lectro-Clear process to be the process of choice. Other treatment techniques, including that recommended by EPA were neither as successful nor as applicable to the Climax situation. The use of this process on Climax wastewater was a new adaption of this technology. The Swift Lectro-Clear process unit is designed to remove suspended , emulsified foreign materials, dissolved heavy metals, and ammonia-nitrogen from wastewaters. A pilot plant unit functioned during 1976 to evaluate and semi-optimize the process . The Lectr.o-Clear process, used in conjunction with a sodium hypochlorite subsystem, was shown to be quite successful in removing heavy metals and other significant materials from the climax effluent on a pilot plant scale . A commercial size facility is presently in operation and it is anticipated that this facility will provide treatment at least equivalent to that expected to be proposed as the Best Available Technology Economically Achievable ( BATEA) . ' 5 . Post-Mining Flood Control Flood control is an integral part of the Climax Operational Planning . The complex system includes reservoirs, 8-9