Evaluation of phosphate pebble as a precipitant for acid mine drainage treatment

Journal Article · Fri Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1995 · Environmental amp Engineering Geoscience

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2113/gseegeosci.I.2.163· OSTI ID:136684

Choi, J C; West, T R ^[1]

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1. Purdue Univ., West Lafayette, IN (United States). Dept. of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences

Laboratory testing was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of phosphate pebbles from Florida in the treatment of acid mine drainage under aerobic conditions. Using different flow rates, results show that phosphate pebbles effectively removed ferric iron up to 1,200 mg/l, aluminum up to 800 mg/l and sulfate up to 8,600 mg/l in three weeks. In addition, the pH increased to values as high as 3.2 in the effluent water from a pH of the influent water ranging from 2.1 to 2.2. Removal of ferric iron, aluminum, and sulfate as well as pH increases were inversely proportional to flow rates, ranging from 1.17 {times} 10{sup {minus}4} to 1.05 {times} 10{sup {minus}3} liters per minute per kg of phosphate pebble. Apparently this method can be applied to reduce acid mine drainage from old coal refuse piles, even those containing high concentration of ferric iron and aluminum ions.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 136684
• Journal Information: Environmental amp Engineering Geoscience, Journal Name: Environmental amp Engineering Geoscience Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 1; ISSN XZ456G
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
ACID MINE DRAINAGE
ACID NEUTRALIZING CAPACITY
COAL MINING
ILLINOIS
MITIGATION
PHOSPHATES
WATER TREATMENT