Applied Polymer Systems, Inc.

August 2010

Polymer in Geothermal Wells
by Applied Polymer Systems

Geothermal power is a clean, renewable source of energy that uses heat from within the earth’s crust to heat homes, buildings and, more commonly, to convert into other forms of energy, such as electricity. Once a suitable location is found, a hole is drilled using a similar process as used for drilling a water well. As the well is drilled, water from within the crust often flows up to the surface, bringing with it dirt, rock, and sediment that have been broken and loosened by drilling, resulting in turbid, sediment laden water.

Pennsylvania Ground Water Association (PGWA) contacted Applied Polymer Systems to design a system to treat the discharge water from a geothermal well drilling demonstration in State College, Pennsylvania during PGWA’s 2010 Summer Field Conference. Treating discharge water from a geothermal well operation is no different than using a dewatering ditch and Floc Logs in stormwater treatment.

A settling pit was constructed to allow the heavier particulate to settle out. Then, the water flowed into a mixing ditch where the Floc Logs were placed. After the mixing ditch, a dispersion field was used to collect the flocculated particulate. Silt Stop powder was applied to the jute matting in the dispersion field to increase the efficiency of the flocculated particle collection.

The turbidity of the water from the well tested above 5,000 NTU; after the mixing ditch and dispersion field, the discharged water turbidity level measured 2 NTU. This is another example of the diversity of polymer enhanced treatment systems and how they can be applied to a wide range of operations.

To read the entire case study, click here.

For more details on how to use Silt Stop Powder, Floc Logs, and other APS products, visit our website, http://www.siltstop.com/.

 

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Chlorine Removal Log

Applied Polymer Systems would like to announce the No-Chlor Log. This Log is designed to remove chlorine from water. This is a great product for draining swimming pools that have been treated with chlorine, into the open environment. It can also be used at water parks. Please contact Applied Polymer Systems for more information.

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Sample Procedures for Mining Operations

Please send all mining samples to the APS Northern Research Facility at

Applied Polymer Systems
Attn: Steve Iwinski
PO Box 356
Big Bay, Michigan 49808

Click here to print a copy of the Mining Samples Procedure form.

If you have questions please contact us at info@siltstop.com or 678-494-5998

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Free APS Training

Applied Polymer Systems, Inc. offers in-field product demonstrations and training classes on Polymer Enhanced Best Management Practices, applications, and polymer basics. If you or your company are interested in setting up or attending a training session, please contact us by email.

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A Report From the Field: Soft Armoring in a Ditch

By Dan Baker, Clearwater Environmental

APS distributors frequently work with local, state and federal agencies, to find ways to benefit from polymer enhanced technology on a variety of sites. Soft Armoring using Silt Stop products and inexpensive natural fiber matting helps to reduce costs and exceed NPDES stormwater run off quality requirements. Soft Armoring is the process of binding soil, seed, lime and fertilizer to a natural fiber liner, such as jute or coconut, to form a highly erosion resistant surface capable of filtering suspended pollutants from stormwater runoff while also promoting the vigorous growth of permanent vegetation.

A ditch on a nineteen-acre industrial site in northwest Georgia was soft armored and monitored over a period of forty days. Although sands and silts were trapped near the source using conventional BMPs, the runoff from this site carried a heavy burden of suspended clays, in excess of 700 NTU. APS 703d#3 Floc Logs were placed in the storm drain pipe delivering the runoff to the filtering ditch, a four foot trapezoidal channel approximately 500 feet long, which routed stormwater to a detention pond.

Although the site was seeded and 705 Silt Stop powder and erosion control blankets were installed, unusually heavy and frequent rains in northwest Georgia in the spring and early summer of 2010 seriously challenged this installation. The work was inspected after each rainfall event. Erosion resistance was superior, with no erosion of the channel or embankments. There was significant deposition of suspended clays and exceptionally vigorous growth of permanent vegetation. Water samples taken at the downstream end of the ditch immediately upstream of the detention pond measured 36 NTU. There were no sediments reaching the detention pond, and none to clean out. Not using temporary BMPs in the filtering ditch, meant there were none to remove, further reducing cost.

After 90 days, a site inspection found the ditch system to be functioning as designed, with vigorous mature permanent vegetation, the design cross-section preserved and no repairs or maintenance needed. The Soft Armor technique is simple, highly effective, and very inexpensive. A drainage ditch need no longer be a maintenance chore or a source of erosion. It may now be an effective tool to help you meet your water quality objectives.

Click Here to email Clearwater Environmental

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Understanding the Alphabet Soup

The field of erosion and sediment control contains a wealth of acronyms. It can be difficult at times to remember what the "soup" really means. Each month we will feature 10 Erosion and Sediment Control frequently used acronyms in our newsletter to serve as a guide in understanding the soup.

COE--United States Army Core of Engineers

NRCS--Natural Resource Conservation Service

FEMA--Federal Emergency Management Agency

ASTM--American Society of Testing and Materials

IECA--International Erosion Control Association

ESCP--Erosion and Sediment Control Plan

SWPPP--Stormwater Pollution and Prevention Plan

ELG--Effluent Limitation Guidelines

LOEC--Lowest Observed Effect Concentration

NOEC--No Observed Effect Concentration

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Polymer Usage in Tank Systems

Mole Constructors is a tunneling construction company based out of Solon, Ohio. In April 2007, Mole Constructors began a three year project in Gwinnett County, Georgia, digging a 15,921 linear foot tunnel. In the beginning stages of the project, Mole Constructors was faced with turbidity issues in their stormwater discharge. It was at this juncture that they sought out the assistance of Applied Polymer Systems.

Using multiple Best Management Practices (BMPs) in a treatment train creates a system that is better suited to prevent erosion and keep stormwater discharge in compliance.The system that Mole created was comprised of a mixing launder, three tanks and particle curtains. The mixing launder is a split pipe that sits on top of the tanks. The tanks were monitored regularly to ensure consistent reduction of turbidity.

In September 2008, samples were taken from each of the three tanks and the discharge pipe. Tank 1 measured 1.23 NTU, Tank 2 measured 15.20 NTU, and Tank 3 measured 6.98 NTU. The NTU in the discharge pipe measured 0.62. Upstream and downstream readings were also taken, with an upstream reading of 1.65 NTU and a downstream reading of 1.39 NTU. The downstream NTU is significant because Mole was given a discharge limit of no more than 25 NTU above background, or the upstream NTU value. Monitoring continued for months after the initial testing with discharge and pond NTU readings ranging from 5.0-20.0.

To read the full report click here.

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The Importance of the ELGs

Earlier this week news from the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals rippled across the erosion control community. The Wisconsin Builders Association, the National Association of Home Builders, and Utility Water Act Group have filed suit against the EPA because of the Effluent Limitation Guidelines. These groups feel that the 280 NTU limit is not attainable in all circumstances. The implementation of the ELGs has been postponed until February 2012, so that the EPA can work to find a discharge limit which can be agreed upon by all parties.

The image on the right illustrates the effects of turbidity on aquatic life are significant. At values as low as 10 NTU, fish begin to show signs of distress. To protect the environment today and for generations to come regulations must be put in place and be enforced. By viewing data that has been accumulated over the years it is apparent why discharge limits need to be at a level low enough to protect our aquatic ecosystems while at the same time remain economical and practical. Using treatment trains consisting of structural and non structural BMPs in conjunction with environmentally friendly BMPs have been proven effective in achieving 280 NTU and lower. Therefore judge for yourself, is 280 NTU too low?

There are a number of resources available that substantiate the detrimental effects of turbidity on aquatic life. Below, are links to just a few of those resources.

Image schematic adapted from "Turbidity: A Water Quality Measure", Water Action Volunteers, Monitoring Factsheet Series, UW-Extension, Environmental Resources Center. It is a generic, un-calibrated impact assessment model based on Newcombe, C. P., and J. O. T. Jensen. 1996. Channel suspended sediment and fisheries: a synthesis for quantitative assessment of risk and impact. North American Journal of Fisheries Management. 16: 693-727.

Turbidity and TSS

Final Report for Reducing Eutrophic Conditions of the Salton Sea

NOAA Chemical Contamination Assessment Quantifies Extent of Contamination and Toxicity in Chesapeake Bay Sediments

Sick Water?

Guidelines for the Protection and Management of Aquatic Sediment Quality in Ontario

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Calendar of Events

September 8, 2010: Virginia Engineers Conference, Williamsburg, VA

September 15, 2010: Indiana Association of Floodplain and Stormwater Management, Nashville, IN

September 30, 2010: ASCE--North Carolina Annual Meeting, Asheville, NC

October 6, 2010: SESWA, Biloxi, MS

October 12, 2010: Midsouth APMS, Lake Guntersville State Park, AL

October 19, 2010: Florida APMS, Daytona, FL

October 20, 2010: IPPCA, Atlanta, GA

October 23, 2010: Tennessee Stormwater Association, Nashville, TN

November 3, 2010: North American Lake Management Society, Oklahoma City, OK

November 3, 2010: Wisconsin Association for Floodplain, Stormwater and Coastal Management, Wisconsin Dells, WI

Visit our News & Events section to get up to date scheduling for training events and conferences.

Applied Polymer Systems | 519 Industrial Drive, Woodstock, GA 30189 | www.siltstop.com