Stavros Panoutsopoulos
Sales Engineer, Aquaculture
sp@bactiquant.com
Water scarcity
Water is a lifeline for mining operations, integral to various processes spanning mineral processing, wet dust control systems, and transportation. However, the excessive use and pollution of water during mining activities pose significant challenges, necessitating a shift towards more sustainable water management practices.
The challenges faced in supplying water for mining operations vary across regions, from low water availability in arid climates to flood events in wet areas and issues with snow melt in cold temperatures. Unsustainable water use can have catastrophic consequences, highlighting the urgent need for holistic water management approaches, including asset management strategies.
In mining operations, Microbially Influenced Corrosion (MIC) poses significant challenges. MIC occurs when microorganisms like bacteria interact with metal surfaces, accelerating corrosion processes. This phenomenon can lead to equipment degradation, pipeline failures, and structural integrity issues, resulting in costly repairs, production downtime, and safety risks. Effective asset management practices are crucial in addressing these challenges by ensuring the proper maintenance and longevity of critical infrastructure components affected by MIC.
Real-time bacteria monitoring enhances mining water treatment
Prioritizing sustainability in water management is crucial for mining operations to minimize their environmental footprint while maximizing operational efficiency. One essential aspect of achieving this sustainability is real-time monitoring of bacteria levels in water. With near real-time monitoring using BactiQuant, mining operations can quickly detect and respond to any bacterial contamination threats, ensuring the quality and safety of water resources.
Furthermore, real-time monitoring empowers mining operations to optimize their water treatment processes more effectively, including asset management strategies. By continuously monitoring bacterial levels, operators can adjust treatment protocols in response to changing conditions, ensuring efficient use of resources and minimizing chemical usage. To address Microbially Influenced Corrosion (MIC) effectively, precise and rapid assessments of microbial populations are crucial. These assessments enable mining companies to select appropriate biocide applications and corrosion control strategies tailored to their specific microbial environments. Effective asset management practices are essential to addressing these challenges by ensuring the proper maintenance and longevity of critical infrastructure components affected by MIC. By implementing proactive measures to mitigate MIC, mining operations can minimize equipment corrosion, prevent pipeline blockages, and maintain operational efficiency and safety.
How Bactiquant’s technology works
Water samples are filtered through a filter 0.22, where the bacteria are collected on the surface of the membrane, eliminating potential background interferents.
The enzyme substrate is added directly to the filter house. The substrate reacts with a naturally occurring bacterial enzyme, releasing a fluorescent compound. The reaction time is approximately 15–30 min depending on the application.
Enzyme activity with fluorescence is measured using a handheld fluorometer. The more fluorescence produced, the more bacteria are present in the sample.
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