The formation of barium sulfate scale is one of the major challenges of the drainage of coal mines, as barium containing pit water is mixed with sulfate containing water before being pumped aboveground. Traditionally this has been overcome by the addition of scale inhibitors based on phosphoric acids. However, due to the inforcing legislation there is a need for a scale inhibitor with improved ecological behaviour. A new scale inhibitor based on polyaspartic acid is as safe and effective as conventional phosphorous containing inhibitors, but has a much higher environmental compatibility. Results of a three year field trial are
presented. Keywords: barium sulfate, calcium carbonate, scale inhibitor, polyaspartic acid, phosphoric acids, coal mine, pit water; pump, water raising