Solar-powered mobile dosing trailer is first of its kind
Coal Authority works with partners to develop high-tech unit.
From left are: Graham Osborn, Severn Trent Services project manager; Andrew Hargreaves, Coal Authority operations contract service manager; Lisa Pinney, Coal Authority chief executive; and Stewart Lea, director at Leada Engineering Ltd
The Coal Authority has invested in a unique mobile chemical dosing trailer to help in its work to protect and enhance the environment.
The off-grid system, which can be monitored and operated remotely, will be used while we carry out essential work at our 76 mine water treatment schemes across the UK.
For most of the year the innovative unit will be powered entirely by its 4 solar panels, but in poor weather conditions the 5.12kW lithium-ion battery will require supplementary charging every 2 to 3 days by a small, portable, petrol-powered generator. However, this charge cycle only takes 1 to 2 hours, so manual intervention is minimal.
Andrew Hargreaves, our operations contract service manager, said:
Most of our schemes are working principally to remove dissolved iron from the mine water. They are 바카라 사이트˜passive바카라 사이트™, which means they use natural means such as aeration cascades to oxidise the iron 바카라 사이트“ converting ferrous iron to ferric iron 바카라 사이트“ and then settling lagoons and reed beds to remove the particulate ferric iron.
To ensure they continue to operate as efficiently as possible, routine maintenance such as cutting back the reeds or removing 바카라 사이트˜ochre바카라 사이트™ iron deposits is critical. However, while this work is carried out it can temporarily reduce their capacity to clean the water.
As a short-term solution we sometimes need to bring in chemical dosing, or 바카라 사이트˜active바카라 사이트™ treatment, adding hydrogen peroxide to ensure we continue to meet discharge consents. In the past we have used mobile dosing units, but these are typically based in shipping containers which also require generators and fuel bowsers to power them.
By their very nature, our mine water treatment sites can be very remote and inaccessible, so we바카라 사이트™ve developed this small, mobile system, with specialists Leada Engineering Ltd and our contractor Severn Trent Services, to enable us to dose whenever and wherever needed. The unit has on-board chemical storage as well, sufficient for 7 days바카라 사이트™ dosing at average dose rates.
This trailer also gives us the ability to make an emergency response to an acid-flush event, which is where an existing mine water discharge suddenly and unpredictably exhibits a rapid and significant decrease in pH, which can be sustained for weeks or even months.
These situations require the addition of an alkaline chemical to increase the pH and restore treatment, so the system has been designed to be multifunctional and 바카라 사이트“ following appropriate safety procedures for chemical changeover 바카라 사이트“ it can also dose sodium hydroxide.
Graham Osborn, Severn Trent Services project manager, said:
We are excited to see months of collaborative work, to design and build this brilliant piece of kit, come to fruition.
This is a great example of recognising a need and committing to coming up with a solution that works for our current requirements.
Not only will we use the trailer when taking reed beds and lagoons offline for maintenance, it can also be deployed for pump tests and in emergency situations.
Stewart Lea, director at Leada Engineering Ltd, said:
We바카라 사이트™ve been working closely with the Coal Authority and Severn Trent Services over the past year to deliver a largely self-sufficient system of which we바카라 사이트™re very proud.
With remote access available on an app, you can view the performance of the trailer and, if there are any issues, it will alert operators by email or text.
Although primarily designed for planned maintenance, its quick mobilisation and operation means this system is ideal in the event of a breakdown or as part of an emergency plan.
As a finishing touch, the trailer has been wrapped in a photograph of our Kimblesworth mine water treatment scheme, in Durham, taken by Andrew.
From left are: Andrew Hargreaves, Coal Authority operations contract service manager; Rob Button, Severn Trent Services operations manager; and Stewart Lea, director at Leada Engineering Ltd.
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