In February 2019, WestWater were engaged by Rio Tinto Gove Operations with a mandate to remove Chlorine Gas as a disinfection agent for the water treatment processes both on the mine lease and in the town of Nhulunbuy, NT.
A programme spanning two and a half years saw the complete transformation of five sites adopting Hyprolyser Electro-Chlorination as the preferred process. This entailed batching and dosing of 0.6% Sodium Hypochlorite in lieu of Chlorine Gas.
The resultant outcome of this process was a major achievement for Rio Tinto globally and the town of Nhulunbuy locally, with WestWater being an instrumental driving force towards the successful outcome.
The overview of the five site transformation is as follows:
1. Mine Supply Pump Station – Dual 70kg Chlorine Gas cylinder system exchanged for 270g/hr containerised Hyprolyser Electro-Chlorination facility.
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2. Nhulunbuy Aquatic Centre – Dual 920kg Chlorine Gas drum system exchanged for 1,100g/hr transportable module Hyprolyser Electro-Chlorination facility.
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3. Nhulunbuy Town Water Treatment Plant – Dual 920kg Chlorine Gas drum system exchanged for 1,100g/hr Hyprolyser Electro-Chlorination facility. Retro fit into existing onsite structure.
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4. Nhulunbuy Sewage Treatment Plant – Dual 70kg Chlorine Gas cylinder system exchanged for 270g/hr containerised Hyprolyser Electro-Chlorination facility.
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5. South Pumping Station – Dual 920kg Chlorine Gas drum system exchanged for 560g/hr Hyprolyser Electro-Chlorination facility. Retro fit into existing onsite structure.
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