T311 The Fate of Passive Acid Mine Drainage Treatment Systems: Results, Solutions, and Advances for Continued Improvement of Impaired Waters (Posters)
Wednesday, 22 October 2014
9:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Exhibition Hall C
TREATING METALS IN ACID MINE DRAINAGE USING SLOW-RELEASE HYDROGEN PEROXIDE
Paper number: T311-5
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 9:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Authors
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Young-Wook CheongKorea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources, Taejon, N/A
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Yongje KimKorea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM), Daejeon
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Byong-hun JeonYonsei University, Wonju, N/A
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Eung Seok LeeOhio University, Athens, OH
Abstract
Metal concentrations from acid mine drainage (AMD) pose a significant threat to aquatic systems worldwide as a result of past and current mining operations. This study tested the viability of using slow-release hydrogen peroxide (SR-HP) to oxidize and remove ferrous iron (Fe2+) from AMD. Fenton’s reagent forms from a mixture of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and Fe2+ available from AMD, creating an advanced oxidation process. The SR-HP forms were developed by dispersing sodium percarbonate (Na2CO3·1.5H2O2) salts in resin matrix. The SR-HP released H2O2 in flowing water at a peak release rate of 28 mg/min during the initial hour and continued to release H2O2 at a lower, stable release rate. When AMD water collected from an abandoned mine site in Ohio was flown through a glass column containing a SR-HP, Fe2+concentrations were reduced by more than 90% (from ~80 mg/L to ~ 8 mg/L). The SR-HP forms can be strategically installed in the field to reduce metal concentrations in AMD.