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Capacity of Wood Ash Filters to Remove Iron from Acid Mine Drainage: Assessment of Retention Mechanism

Die Aufnahmefähigkeit von Holzaschefiltern zur Entfernung von Eisen aus saurem Grubenwasser: Beurteilung der Rückhaltemechanismen

Capacidad de filtros de cenizas de madera para remover hierro de drenaje ácido de minas: análisis del mecanismo de retención

木灰过滤器去除酸性矿井水中铁离子能力:截留机理研究

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Abstract

Acid mine drainage (AMD) with high iron concentrations can be a major challenge for passive treatment systems, particularly when sulphate reducing passive bioreactors (SRPBs) are used. The capacity of wood ash filters to act as a polishing step after SRPB treatment of a high-iron AMD (4,000 mg L−1 of Fe) was assessed. Five columns (1.7 L) with different mixtures of wood combustion ash and sand were investigated for their potential to remove metals from an SRPB effluent over 122 days. These materials had a high specific surface area (between 46 and 159 m² g−1), high organic carbon contents (between 12 and 32 %), and a high paste pH (up to 12.2). The Freundlich isotherm model reflects the observed iron sorption behavior on the material surface. Column study results indicate that the wood ash decreased iron concentrations for more than 100 days below 10 mg L−1 (99 % iron removal), mainly due to iron hydroxide precipitation and sorption. The risk of system clogging was negligible since the saturated hydraulic conductivity remained stable, between 5.0 × 10−3 and 3.1 × 10−2 cm s−1. Between 44 and 52 % of the sulphate was also removed due to gypsum precipitation.

Zusammenfassung

Saures Grubenwasser mit hohen Eisenkonzentrationen kann eine große Herausforderung für passive Aufbereitungssysteme sein, besonders dann wenn sulfatreduzierende passive Bioreaktoren (SRPB) eingesetzt werden. Die Kapazität von Holzaschefiltern zur abschließenden Verbesserung nach einer SRPB Behandlung von saurem Grubenwasser mit hohem Eisengehalt (4,000 mg L−1 Fe) wurde beurteilt. Fünf Säulen (1,7 L) mit unterschiedlichen Gemischen aus Holzkohleasche und Sand wurden über 122 Tage auf ihr Potenzial untersucht, Metalle aus dem Ablaufwasser eines SRPB zu entfernen. Diese vorgenannten Materialien hatten eine große spezifische Oberfläche (46–159 m² g−1), hohen organischen Kohlenstoffanteil (12–32 %) und einen hohen pH Wert (bis zu 12,2). Das Freundlich-Isotherme-Modell zeigt das beobachtete Eisensorptionsverhalten auf der Materialoberfläche. Weiterhin belegen die Ergebnisse des Säulenversuchs, dass die Holzasche die Eisenkonzentrationen über mehr als 100 Tage auf unter 10 mg L−1 reduziert hat (99% Eisenentfernung). Dies ist vor allem auf Eisenhydroxidausfällung und Sorption zurückzuführen. Die Gefahr der Systemverockerung war insgesamt vernachlässigbar, da die gesättigte hydraulische Leitfähigkeit stabil zwischen 5,0 × 10-3 und 3,1 × 10-2 cm s−1 blieb. 44 bis 52% des Sulfats wurden außerdem durch Gipsausfällung entfernt.

Resumen

El drenaje ácido de minas (AMD) con altas concentraciones de hierro suele ser el mayor desafío para sistemas de tratamiento pasivo, especialmente cuando se usan bio-reactores pasivos de reducción de sulfato (SRPBs). Se analizó la capacidad de los filtros de cenizas de madera para actuar como un paso final después del tratamiento SRPB de un AMD con alto contenido de hierro (4,000 mg L−1 of Fe). Cinco columnas (1,7 L) con diferentes mezclas de cenizas de combustión de madera y arena fueron estudiadas en cuanto a su potencial para la remoción de metales desde un efluente SRPB durante 122 días. Estos materiales tenían una gran área superficial (entre 46-159 m² g−1), alto contenido de carbón orgánico (entre 12 y 32%), y un alto pH (hasta 12,2). El modelo de Freundlich refleja el comportamiento de sorción del hierro sobre el material de superficie. Los resultados del estudio en columnas muestran que las cenizas de madera disminuyeron las concentraciones de hierro por debajo de 10 mg L−1 (99% de remoción de hierro), principalmente por precipitación de hidróxido de hierro y por sorción, por más de 100 días. El riesgo de atasco en el sistema fue despreciable debido a que la conductividad hidráulica permaneció estable entre 5,0×10-3 y 3,1×10-2 cm s−1. Porcentajes entre el 44 y el 52% del sulfato fueron también removidos por precipitación de yeso.

抽象

酸性矿井水(AMD)中高浓度铁离子的存在是酸性矿井水被动处理(passive treatment),尤其是硫酸盐生物还原处理(SRPBs)面临的主要难题。富铁酸性矿井水(铁离子浓度高达4,000mg/L)在经SRPB处理之后,木灰过滤器的去铁过程成为完善酸性矿井水被动处理的最后环节。文章研究了五个装有不同木灰和沙子配比的试验圆柱(1.7升)经122天多的过滤作用去除SRPB处理液中金属污染物的能力。该试验材料具有高比表面积(46-159 m?/g)、高有机碳含量(12%-32%)和高pH值(高达12.2)等特征。Freundlich吸附等温曲线模型反映出试验材料对铁离子的表面吸附行为。圆柱试验结果表明,由于铁氢氧化物沉淀作用和吸附作用,木灰能够经100多天过滤作用将铁离子浓度降至10 mg/L以下(铁去除率达99%)。木灰过滤系统的饱和渗透系数稳定在5.0 ?10-3 和3.1 ?10-2 cm/s,可以忽略沉淀作用阻塞过滤器的风险。同时,该系统可通过石膏沉淀的形式去除44%-52% 硫酸盐。

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the Canada Research Chair on Restoration of Abandoned Mine Sites and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) through the Industrial NSERC—École Polytechnique—Université du Québec en Abitibi Témiscamingue Chair in Environment and Mine Wastes Management. The authors acknowledge gratefully the industrial and governmental partners of the industrial Chair for the funding of this study and Brian Coghlan from Wood Ash Industries Inc for graciously supplying wood ash.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Applied Sciences, UQAT, Rouyn-Noranda, QC, J9X 5E4, Canada

    Thomas Genty & Bruno Bussière

  2. Industrial NSERC-Polytechnique-UQAT Chair, Environment and Mine Waste Mgmt, Rouyn-Noranda, QC, J9X 5E4, Canada

    Thomas Genty, Bruno Bussière, Mostafa Benzaazoua & Gérald J. Zagury

  3. Laboratoire de Génie Civil et d’Ingénierie Environnementale, INSA de Lyon, 69621, Villeurbanne Cedex, France

    Mostafa Benzaazoua

  4. Department of Civil, Geological, and Mining Engineering, École Polytechnique de Montréal, Montreal, QC, H3C 3A7, Canada

    Gérald J. Zagury

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  1. Thomas Genty
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Genty, T., Bussière, B., Benzaazoua, M. et al. Capacity of Wood Ash Filters to Remove Iron from Acid Mine Drainage: Assessment of Retention Mechanism. Mine Water Environ 31, 273–286 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10230-012-0199-z

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