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Acid Rock Drainage Remediation and Element Removal Using a Peat-Humic Agent with Subsequent Thermal Treatment of the Metal–Organic Residue

Sanierung saurer Sickerwässer und Fällung gelöster Metalle durch behandelten Torf, gefolgt von thermischer Zersetzung des metall-organischen Rückstandes

Remediación de drenaje ácido de roca y remoción de elementos usando un agente turba-húmico con posterior tratamiento térmico del residuo organo-metálico

酸性矿山废水的泥炭腐殖质处理及其有机金属残留物热处理技术

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Abstract

A novel, alternative method for acid rock drainage (ARD) remediation and metal recovery has been developed that uses a peat-humic agent (PHA) created by mechanical, chemical, and thermobaric treatment of peat from the Krugloe deposit (Novosibirsk region, Russia). The PHA effectively neutralised moderately acidic ARD and removed potential pollutants (e.g. Fe, Al, Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, Ni, Co, and Hg), forming metal–organic residues. The organic matter can be removed completely from the metal–organic residues by heating them at 450–500 °C. After this treatment, the metal concentrate residues generally contained aggregates (20–350 μm in size), mainly composed of metal oxides and sulphates. Thermal decomposition of the organic matter in the PHA and metal–organic residues is an exothermic process with significant calorific value (9–15 kJ/g).

Zusammenfassung

Eine neuartige, alternative Methode zur Sanierung saurer Sickerwässer und zur Rückgewinnung gelöster Metalle wird vorgestellt. Torf aus der Lagerstätte Krugloe in der Region Novosibirsk (Russland) wurde unter Druck erhitzt und einer mechanischen und chemischen Behandlung unterzogen. Das resultierende Produkt (PAH) neutralisiert moderat saure Sickerwässer und bindet mögliche Schadstoffe (e.g. Fe, Al, Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, Ni, Co und Hg). Die organische Substanz kann von den metall-organischen Rückständen durch Erhitzen auf 450–500 Grad Celsius vollständig entfernt werden. Das residuale Konzentrat enthält Aggregate einer Größe zwischen 20 bis 350 μm, welche überwiegend aus Metalloxyden und Sulphaten bestehen. Die thermische Zersetzung der organischen Substanz in PAH und den metall-organischen Rückständen ist exothermisch und erbringt eine Verbrennungswärme von 9–15 kJ/g.

Resumen

Un nuevo método alternativo para la remediación de drenaje ácido de roca (ARD) y para la recuperación de los metales, ha sido desarrollado usando un agente turba-húmico (PHA) creado por tratamiento mecánico, quiímico y termobárico de turba del depósito Krugloe (región Novosibirsk, Rusia). El PHA efectivamente neutralizó ARD moderamente ácida y removió los contaminantes potenciales (Fe, Al, Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, Ni, Co y Hg), formando residuos organo-metálicos. La materia orgánica puede ser removida completamente de los residuos organo-metálicos por calentamiento a 450–500oC. Después del tratamiento, los residuos concentrados de metal generalmente contienen agregados (20–350 μm en tamaño), principalmente compuestos de sulfatos y óxidos del metal. La descomposición térmica de la materia orgánica en el PHA y en los residuos organo-metálicos, es un proceso exotérmico con valor calorífico significante (9–15 kJ/g).

摘要

利用一种由Krugloe矿床(新西伯利亚地区,俄罗斯)泥炭经机器、化学和温压处理制成的泥炭腐殖质(PHA)作为新型酸性矿山废水处理和金属回收处理材料。泥炭腐殖质(PHA)能有效中和中等酸性废水并去除铁、铝、锌、铜、铅、镉、镍、钴、汞等潜在污染物;进一步将有机金属残留物加热到450–500°可完全去除有机成分。最终,浓缩的金属残留物主要为粒径20–350 μm的金属氧化物及硫酸盐团聚物。泥炭腐殖质和有机金属残留物中有机物分解为高热值的放热过程(9–15 kJ/g).

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Acknowledgments

Special thanks are due to our colleagues (S. Bortnikova, E. Lazareva, O. Galkova, N. Ishuk, L. Ivanova, Zh. Badmaeva and M. Gustaytis) from the Institute of Geology and Mineralogy SB RAS for help in the field and lab work. Grateful acknowledgement for proofreading and correcting of the English go to Professor W. Mike Edmunds. The author thanks the editors and the anonymous reviewers for comments, questions, and careful and helpful reviews. This research was financially supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (Grant 11-05-12038-ofi-m-2011) and OPTEC LLC.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Geology and Mineralogy SB RAS, Koptyuga Pr. 3, Novosibirsk, Russia, 630090

    Anna A. Bogush & Gennadiy N. Anoshin

  2. Planeta-Ra Ltd, Lazurnaya Str 4/3, Novosibirsk, Russia, 630133

    Vladimir G. Voronin

  3. Institute of Organic Chemistry SB RAS, Lavrenteva Pr. 9, Novosibirsk, Russia, 630090

    Vera D. Tikhova

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  1. Anna A. Bogush
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  2. Vladimir G. Voronin
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  3. Vera D. Tikhova
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  4. Gennadiy N. Anoshin
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Correspondence to Anna A. Bogush.

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Bogush, A.A., Voronin, V.G., Tikhova, V.D. et al. Acid Rock Drainage Remediation and Element Removal Using a Peat-Humic Agent with Subsequent Thermal Treatment of the Metal–Organic Residue. Mine Water Environ 35, 536–546 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10230-015-0380-2

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