The Buchanan No. 1 coal mine in Oakwood, Virginia is one of the country’s largest underground coal mines. GE’s zero liquid discharge (ZLD) system is capable of treating up to 1,600 gallons of water per minute utilizing a combination of ultrafiltration, reverse osmosis, brine evaporation and salt crystallization technologies. In the process, dissolved minerals in the mine water, largely salt, will be left behind in a crystalline form.
 

The system GE is providing to CONSOL Energy incorporates GE’s ZeeWeed ultrafiltration technology, which employs hollow-fiber membranes to separate particles from water, and GE’s reverse osmosis separation technology, which removes dissolved impurities from water through the use of a semi-permeable membrane. The concentrated brine from these elements of the system is then treated by GE’s proprietary thermal evaporation, crystallization and drying ZLD technologies, which make up the heart of this integrated process.
 

Steve Watzeck, president of engineered systems - water and process technologies for GE Power & Water said: “Our goal is not only to help customers solve specific treatment problems, but to help them recognize and take advantage of opportunities to recover additional value. GE offers extensive know-how gained from decades of global project experience, combined with innovative products and cutting-edge research. The result is a unique solution that hits the mark operationally, environmentally and economically.”