In a complex mining operation supported by 30 dams responsible for storing, treating, and managing process water, harmful algal blooms (HABs) were causing significant operational disruptions—particularly impacting the performance and longevity of reverse osmosis (RO) systems.
To address this, multiple coagulants were evaluated, including ACH, Ferric Chloride, PAC, Alum, and Tanfoc. Among them, Tanfloc demonstrated superior performance, achieving 99.9% algae removal efficiency. It also maintained residual aluminium levels below 0.3 mg/L and presented negligible iron content, minimising risks of membrane fouling.
Unlike traditional metal-based coagulants, which produced acidic sludge with elevated metal residues, Tanfloc generated an organically rich sludge containing 40% volatile solids and low residual metals—making it a more sustainable, effective, and environmentally responsible solution for algae mitigation in mining water systems.
