Process Removes Metals from Acid Mine Drainage

Pilot plant experiments demonstrated that 3 stage chemical treatment was required for the effective removal of metals from acid mine drainage. The pH was first adjusted with sodium carbonate, then iron and manganese were precipitated following oxidation with chlorine and potassium permanganate respe...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Water environment & technology 1992-07, Vol.4 (7), p.26-28
Main Authors: Boling, Scott D., Kobylinski, Edmund A., Michael, James I.
Format: Magazinearticle
Language:English
Subjects:
Acute toxicity
Aluminum
Cadmium
Chemical precipitation
Copper
Iron
Lead
Manganese
News
Sulfides
Zinc
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Summary:Pilot plant experiments demonstrated that 3 stage chemical treatment was required for the effective removal of metals from acid mine drainage. The pH was first adjusted with sodium carbonate, then iron and manganese were precipitated following oxidation with chlorine and potassium permanganate respectively; aluminium was also removed at this stage. A one-step lime-soda ash softening at pH 10.5 removed further metals as hydroxides and carbonates. Finally, sulphide precipitation attained the necessary low metal levels. Temperatures close to freezing adversely affected the process, principally by slowing the reactions. Good solids capture was necessary at all stages and this would require the use of polymers for the sulphide precipitation.
ISSN:1044-9493
1938-193X