Research

IAEA-coordinated research project

(International Atomic Energy Agency, Contract N° 9114, Treatment of liquid effluent from uranium mines and mills):

International cooperation assisted us in the development and adaptation of the HDS (High Density Sludge) technology in the treatment of heavy metal-contaminated waters.

The process makes it possible to concentrate the contaminants precipitating from the treated water into high-density sludge.
The process can be seen in the flowchart on the left.

 

PEREBAR - projekt

(EVIKI-CT-1999-00035, Long-term Performance of Permeable Reactive Barriers):

Permeable reactive barriers are technical facilities that can treat contaminated groundwater leaking in the soil or in rock in situ. Treatment is done by placing a material that chemically interacts with the component to be removed from the water into the PRB, which should be installed at right angles to the direction of the water flow. Uranium and some other heavy metals can be removed from contaminated groundwater with the use of chemically reactive iron (filings, chips). The contaminated water passes through the barrier, and the uranium together with other heavy metals is removed by the barrier. The figures show the building of an experimental PRB, which has been used for in situ treatment of uranium-contaminated groundwater. The work was carried out with the involvement of other members of a consortium in the framework of the EU-funded PEREBAR project. Figure 1 displays the physical state of the used course iron (in the form of chips and granule) Figure 2 displays one stage in the building of the barrier. Figure 3 illustrates the reduction in the uranium content of groundwater passing through a permeable reactive barrier.

TAILSAFE projekt

(EU-project, EVG1-CT-2002-00066; Sustainable Improvement in Safety of Tailings Facilities):

Knowing certain factors, such as the structural inhomogeneity of tailings and water content in tailings is crucial to the safe operation and planning of long-term stability of tailings facilities.

In addition to other methods, our company most frequently uses geophysical methods to establish the inhomogeneity, the water content and inorganic contamination of tailings. Among others these methods have been tested and improved in the framework of the EU-funded TAILSAFE project.

The figure shows the result of multi-electrode geoelectric profiling in a specific section of the Szárazvölgy tailings pond in Gyöngyösoroszi. The low and high resistance zones demonstrate the high variability of the water content of the tailings.

BÁNYAREM:

The objective of the project is to develop remediation technologies for soils contaminated with rock having net acid generating potential. Research primarily focuses on the impact that additives (alkaline ashes, phosphate containing materials, etc.) may have. In a consortium comprising several university departments and businesses, we primarily undertake field work, and create and operate experimental plots.

The figures clearly prove that plant growth is excellent in the experimental plot treated with additives in the acid generating waste rock of Gyöngyösoroszi. It bears no comparison to the vegetation that can be found in areas with no additives.