PACls overdosage has negative impact on the operation and the effectiveness of coagulation and separation of post-coagulation suspensions. The results of the pilot study revealed that a sharp increase of fine particles was observed at reaching and exceeding the isoelectric point. Based on the full-scale research with PACl_1 (B = 2, 4) it was stated that these particles did not cause deterioration of standard quality parameters (turbidity, absorbance UV 254 , colour, TOC, COD Mn) of water purified in conventional treatment. However, the particles not retained in sedimentation tanks supplied rapid filters and caused their overloading, and hence shortening of filtration cycles.

Filtration efficiency in a conventional water treatment system was analyzed in the context of pre-hydrolyzed coagulant overdosing. Two commercial coagulants of different aluminum speciation were tested. A study was carried out at a water treatment plant supplied with raw water of variable quality. The lack of stability of water quality caused many problems with maintaining the optimal coagulant dose. The achieved results show that the type of coagulant had a very strong influence on the effectiveness of filtration resulting from the application of an improper coagulant dose. The overdosing of high basicity coagulant (PAC85) caused a significant increase of fine particles in the outflow from the sedimentation tanks, which could not be retained in the filter bed due to high surface charge and the small size of hydrolysis products. When using a coagulant of lower basicity (PAC70), it was much easier to control the dose of coagulant and to adjust it to the changing water quality.

This paper presents the results of the technological and economic analysis of mine water treatment systems before their discharge into the environment. The following analysis enabled us to determine the profitability of the investment, taking into account the TSS (total suspended solids) concentration in mine water. The simulation results showed that it is economically profitable to apply a water treatment system if natural sedimentation carried out in underground mine water passages, or in sedimentation tanks located on the ground, is ineffective for TSS removal. Economic and financial parameters allow us to conclude that all analyzed variants of the application of a pre-treatment system are characterized by high economic effectiveness. This mainly results from the high profitability of an analyzed investment, comparatively low capital expenditure, and present low market percentage rates. The most profitable variant (TSS concentration is 1000 mg/dm3) brings significant economic indicators, i.e., high NPV–Net Present Value (100 319 270.28 PLN), a high NPVR–Net Present Value Ratio (8.96 PLN/PLN), and a short discount payback period (1 year 236.6 days). A high internal rate of return (157.8%) for this variant reduces the risk of losing profitability in a situation of growing capital costs in the monetary market.

In conventional treatment of variable quality mountain water, an inability to immediately adjust the coagulant dose to variations in water quality causes overdose or underdose of coagulant in relation to its optimal value. The results of the research showed that the reuse of post-coagulation sludge was an effective method to maintain high and stable coagulation effectiveness under both polyaluminium chloride (PACl) overdose and underdose conditions. Recycled sludge contains a large portion of insoluble aluminium hydroxides that could be utilized in underdose PACl conditions. Post-coagulation sludge recycled to a flocculation tank enabled the reduction of a dose of low basicity PACl by 15% compared to a dose required in conventional coagulation. In periods of coagulant overdosing, sludge addition prevented an increase in the number of fine particles in an outflow from sedimentation tanks that could not be retained in a filter bed.

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