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Co-treatment of acid mine drainage with municipal wastewater: performance evaluation

Environmental Science and Pollution Research volume 20, pages 7863–7877 (2013)Cite this article

Abstract

Co-treatment of acid mine drainage (AMD) with municipal wastewater (MWW) using the activated sludge process is a novel treatment technology offering potential savings over alternative systems in materials, proprietary chemicals and energy inputs. The impacts of AMD on laboratory-scale activated sludge units (plug-flow and sequencing batch reactors) treating synthetic MWW were investigated. Synthetic AMD containing Al, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, Zn and SO4 at a range of concentrations and pH values was formulated to simulate three possible co-treatment processes, i.e., (1) adding raw AMD to the activated sludge aeration tank, (2) pre-treating AMD prior to adding to the aeration tank by mixing with digested sludge and (3) pre-treating AMD by mixing with screened MWW. Continuous AMD loading to the activated sludge reactors during co-treatment did not cause a significant decrease in chemical oxygen demand (COD), 5-day biochemical oxygen demand, or total organic carbon removal; average COD removal rates ranged from 87–93 %. Enhanced phosphate removal was observed in reactors loaded with Fe- and Al-rich AMD, with final effluent TP concentrations <2 mg/L. Removal rates for dissolved Al, Cu, Fe and Pb were 52–84 %, 47–61 %, 74–86 % and 100 %, respectively, in both systems. Manganese and Zn removal were strongly linked to acidity; removal from net-acidic AMD was <10 % for both metals, whereas removal from circum-neutral AMD averaged 93–95 % for Mn and 58–90 % for Zn. Pre-mixing with screened MWW was the best process option in terms of AMD neutralization and metal removal. However, significant MWW alkalinity was consumed, suggesting an alkali supplement may be necessary.

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Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Abbreviations

AMD:

Acid mine drainage

BOD5 :

Five-day biochemical oxygen demand

COD:

Chemical oxygen demand

DO:

Dissolved oxygen

f/m:

Food-to-microorganism

HRT:

Hydraulic retention time

MLSS:

Mixed liquor suspended solids

MWW:

Municipal wastewater

SBR:

Sequencing batch reactor

SRT:

Solids retention time

SS:

Suspended solids

SVI:

Sludge volume index

TN:

Total nitrogen

TOC:

Total organic carbon

TP:

Total phosphorus

WWTP:

Wastewater treatment plant

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Acknowledgments

T. Hughes gratefully acknowledges the support provided by the Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering, and Technology (IRCSET) Embark Initiative and Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) (Grant Number: 08/RFP/ENM993). In addition, the authors extend sincere appreciation to the personnel at the WWTPs located in Leixlip, Co. Kildare, Swords, Co. Dublin, and Athy, Co. Kildare, for their assistance.

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    Theresa A. Hughes & Nicholas F. Gray

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Correspondence to Theresa A. Hughes.

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Hughes, T.A., Gray, N.F. Co-treatment of acid mine drainage with municipal wastewater: performance evaluation. Environ Sci Pollut Res 20, 7863–7877 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-012-1303-4

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Keywords

  • Acid mine drainage
  • Activated sludge
  • Co-treatment
  • Metals
  • Neutralization
  • Sewage
  • Remediation
  • Wastewater treatment plant