Application of Natural Process of Snow Metamorphism
for Concentration and Purification of Fluid Wastes
Jeffrey A. White1 and Janusz A. Szpaczynski1
Snow as a thermodynamically unstable material has the ability to change its physical characteristic
even at very low temperatures. Although the natural snowflakes are quite different from manmade
snow crystals, the metamorphism takes place with both types of snow. Based on the phenomenon of
snow metamorphosis and the elution of ions from the snowpack during the melting season, it has
been hypothesized that conversion of fluid wastes into snow and its subsequent metamorphism can
concentrate the contaminants within the first 2030% of runoff. The remainder of the meltwater
having low concentrations of contaminants can then be discharged or reused. The process of waste-
water atomization in cold atmosphere as well as the crushing of ice cubes was applied to convert
different industrial fluid wastes into ice crystals. The experiment was performed both in the
laboratory-scale and in the pilot-scale operation. Different distribution of ice crystal size was
applied. An elution of anion and cation during the "ionic pulse" was monitored. As was expected, a
high concentration of contaminants was reported in the first 20% of meltwater. The results of con-
centration of heavy metals, chlorides, sulfates, and suspended solids for different fluid wastes and
selected environmental conditions are shown. The mathematical model of concentration efficiency
is also presented. It was concluded that the Atomizing Freeze Crystallization process can be suc-
cessfully apply for concentration of selected industrial fluid wastes.
1
Delta Engineering, 2301 St. Laurent Blvd. Ottawa K1G 4J7, Canada
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