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Mosai AK, Ndlovu G, Tutu H. Improving acid mine drainage treatment by combining treatment technologies: A review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 919:170806. [PMID: 38350575 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
The mining and processing of some minerals and coal result in the production of acid mine drainage (AMD) which contains elevated levels of sulfate and metals, which tend to pose serious environmental issues. There are different technologies that have been developed for the treatment of wastewater or AMD. However, there is no "one-size-fits-all" solution, hence a combination of available technologies should be considered to achieve effective treatment. In this review, AMD treatment technologies and the possible alignment in tandem of the different treatment technologies were discussed. The alignment was based on the target species of each technology and AMD composition. The choice of the technologies to combine depends on the quality of AMD and the desired quality of effluent depending on end use (e.g., drinking, industrial, irrigation or release into the environment). AMD treatment technologies targeting metals can be combined with membrane and/or ettringite precipitation technologies that focus on the removal of sulfates. Other technologies can be added to deal with the secondary waste products (e.g., sludge and brines) from the treatment processes. Moreover, some technologies such as ion exchange and adsorption can be added to target specific valuable elements in AMD. Such combinations have the potential to result in effective AMD treatment and minimum waste production, which are not easily achievable with the individual technologies. Overall, this review presents combinations of AMD treatment technologies which can work best together to produce optimal water quality and valuable products in a cost-effective manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alseno Kagiso Mosai
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria, Lynnwood Road, Pretoria 0002, South Africa.
| | - Gebhu Ndlovu
- Hydrometallurgy Division, Mintek, 200 Malibongwe drive, Private Bag X3015, Randburg 2125, South Africa
| | - Hlanganani Tutu
- Molecular Sciences Institute, School of Chemistry, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag X3, Wits 2050, South Africa
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Savitri S, Reguyal F, Sarmah AK. A feasibility study on production, characterisation and application of empty fruit bunch oil palm biochar for Mn 2+ removal from aqueous solution. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 318:120879. [PMID: 36566919 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Empty fruit bunch oil palm (EFBOP) is one of the byproducts after oil palm fruitlet is removed in oil palm processing and is considered as waste. In this study, EFBOP was converted to biochar (BC-EFBOP) at 350-700 °C, with an overarching aim of determining the feasibility of adsorptive removal of manganese (a second dominant element in acid mine drainage) from water. Results showed that with increasing temperature, the BC-EFBOP yield decreased from 44.34% to 26.74%, along with the H/C (0.89%-0.29%) and O/C ratios (0.38%-0.23%), and the carbon content increased (62.7%-73.93%). As evidenced by Fourier Transform InfraRed spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), abundant oxygen-containing surface functional groups such as hydroxyl (-OH), carboxyl (-COOH), and ether (C-O-C) were retained, and aromatic CC groups were largely generated in the biochar. Pyrolysed biochar at 350 °C (BC350), with the least surface area (0.5 m2 g-1), exhibited the highest Mn2+ adsorption capacity (8.2 mg g-1), whereas for BC700, with the largest surface area (2.19 m2 g-1), had the lowest capacity for Mn2+ (1.2 mg g-1). Regardless of the temperature, solution pH of 5 was found to be optimal for Mn2+ removal from water. The Langmuir isotherm model best described the equilibrium adsorption data with a maximum adsorption capacity of 1.2-8.2 mg g-1 for initial concentrations of 5-250 mg L-1, whereas the adsorption kinetics followed the pseudo-second-order model. There was nearly four-fold increase in Mn2+ ions removal with increased biochar dosage (0.05-0.5 g), at initial Mn2+ concentration of 100 mg L-1. The study showed that a low-cost, environmentally friendly BC-EFBOP with optimal surface chemistry could potentially remediate Mn2+ ions from aqueous media. However, a proper cost-benefit and techno-economic analysis is needed prior to potential pilot scale studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Savitri Savitri
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Faculty of Engineering, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand; National Research and Innovation Agency, Research Centre for Chemistry, Puspiptek Area Building 321, South Tangerang, 15314, Indonesia
| | - Febelyn Reguyal
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Faculty of Engineering, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand
| | - Ajit K Sarmah
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Faculty of Engineering, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand.
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Recent Advanced Development of Acid-Resistant Thin-Film Composite Nanofiltration Membrane Preparation and Separation Performance in Acidic Environments. SEPARATIONS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/separations10010020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Membrane filtration technology has attracted extensive attention in academia and industry due to its advantages of eco-friendliness related to environmental protection and high efficiency. Polyamide thin-film composite nanofiltration (PA TFC NF) membranes have been widely used due to their high separation performance. Non-acid-resistant PA TFC NF membranes face tremendous challenges in an acidic environment. Novel and relatively acid-resistant polysulfonamide-based and triazine-based TFC NF membranes have been developed, but these have a serious trade-off in terms of permeability and selectivity. Hence, how to improve acid resistance of TFC NF membranes and their separation performance in acidic environments is a pivotal issue for the design and preparation of these membranes. This review first highlights current strategies for improving the acid resistance of PA TFC NF membranes by regulating the composition and structure of the separation layer of the membrane performed by manipulating and optimizing the construction method and then summarizes the separation performances of these acid-resistant TFC NF membranes in acidic environments, as studied in recent years.
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Co-Disposal of Coal Gangue and Red Mud for Prevention of Acid Mine Drainage Generation from Self-Heating Gangue Dumps. MINERALS 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/min10121081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The seepage and diffusion of acid mine drainage (AMD) generated from self-heating coal gangue tailings caused acid pollution to the surrounding soil and groundwater. Red mud derived from the alumina smelting process has a high alkali content. To explore the feasibility of co-disposal of coal gangue and red mud for prevention of AMD, coal gangue and red mud were sampled from Yangquan (Shanxi Province, China), and dynamic leaching tests were carried out through the automatic temperature-controlled leaching system under the conditions of different temperatures, mass ratios, and storage methods. Our findings indicated that the heating temperature had a significant effect on the release characteristics of acidic pollutants derived from coal gangue, and that the fastest rate of acid production corresponding to temperature was 150 °C. The co-disposal dynamic leaching tests indicated that red mud not only significantly alleviated the release of AMD but also that it had a long-term effect on the treatment of acid pollution. The mass ratio and stacking method were selected to be 12:1 (coal gangue: red mud) and one layer was alternated (coal gangue covered with red mud), respectively, to ensure that the acid-base pollution indices of leachate reached the WHO drinking-water quality for long-term discharge. The results of this study provided a theoretical basis and data support for the industrial field application of solid waste co-treatment.
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Wadekar SS, Wang Y, Lokare OR, Vidic RD. Influence of Chemical Cleaning on Physicochemical Characteristics and Ion Rejection by Thin Film Composite Nanofiltration Membranes. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2019; 53:10166-10176. [PMID: 31369248 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b02738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The impact of membrane cleaning with NaOH and HCl on the characteristics and associated changes in ion rejection was investigated in this study. NaOH affected the zeta potential of membranes with a greater concentration of carboxylic groups so that it was negative across the entire pH range investigated. Exposure to NaOH led to swelling of the active layer after each cleaning, especially for poly(piperazineamide) membranes. A 23% increase in the effective pore radii for these membranes after NaOH cleaning for 18 h led to 25, 36, 53 and 62% decrease in the rejection of magnesium, calcium, sodium, and chloride ions, respectively. Sulfate rejection decreased only slightly even for poly(piperazineamide) membranes (i.e., 7%) despite an appreciable increase in pore radii, which can be explained by the impact of charge exclusion on ion rejection that was enhanced by the 16% reduction in zeta potential. On the other hand, cleaning with HCl had a negligible impact on the zeta potential and performance of all membranes evaluated in this study. The increase in permeability after chemical cleaning was in agreement with the decrease in rejection of inorganic ions and correlated well with the effective pore radii measured using the membrane potential technique. The importance of charge exclusion in the rejection of inorganic ions was highlighted by the observed differences in rejection and permeability values when testing membranes after NaOH cleaning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shardul S Wadekar
- Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering , University of Pittsburgh , Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania 15261 , United States
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering , University of Pittsburgh , Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania 15261 , United States
| | - Omkar R Lokare
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering , University of Pittsburgh , Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania 15261 , United States
| | - Radisav D Vidic
- Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering , University of Pittsburgh , Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania 15261 , United States
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering , University of Pittsburgh , Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania 15261 , United States
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Naidu G, Ryu S, Thiruvenkatachari R, Choi Y, Jeong S, Vigneswaran S. A critical review on remediation, reuse, and resource recovery from acid mine drainage. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2019; 247:1110-1124. [PMID: 30823340 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.01.085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 145] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2018] [Revised: 01/06/2019] [Accepted: 01/17/2019] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Acid mine drainage (AMD) is a global environmental issue. Conventionally, a number of active and passive remediation approaches are applied to treat and manage AMD. Case studies on remediation approaches applied in actual mining sites such as lime neutralization, bioremediation, wetlands and permeable reactive barriers provide an outlook on actual long-term implications of AMD remediation. Hence, in spite of available remediation approaches, AMD treatment remains a challenge. The need for sustainable AMD treatment approaches has led to much focus on water reuse and resource recovery. This review underscores (i) characteristics and implication of AMD, (ii) remediation approaches in mining sites, (iii) alternative treatment technologies for water reuse, and (iv) resource recovery. Specifically, the role of membrane processes and alternative treatment technologies to produce water for reuse from AMD is highlighted. Although membrane processes are favorable for water reuse, they cannot achieve resource recovery, specifically selective valuable metal recovery. The approach of integrated membrane and conventional treatment processes are especially promising for attaining both water reuse and recovery of resources such as sulfuric acid, metals and rare earth elements. Overall, this review provides insights in establishing reuse and resource recovery as the holistic approach towards sustainable AMD treatment. Finally, integrated technologies that deserve in depth future exploration is highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gayathri Naidu
- Faculty of Engineering, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), P.O. Box 123, Broadway, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - Seongchul Ryu
- Faculty of Engineering, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), P.O. Box 123, Broadway, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - Ramesh Thiruvenkatachari
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), 1 Technology Court, Pullenvale, Queensland, 4069, Australia
| | - Youngkwon Choi
- Faculty of Engineering, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), P.O. Box 123, Broadway, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - Sanghyun Jeong
- Graduate School of Water Resources, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), 2066 Seobu-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Saravanamuthu Vigneswaran
- Faculty of Engineering, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), P.O. Box 123, Broadway, NSW, 2007, Australia.
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Yuan B, Jiang C, Li P, Sun H, Li P, Yuan T, Sun H, Niu QJ. Ultrathin Polyamide Membrane with Decreased Porosity Designed for Outstanding Water-Softening Performance and Superior Antifouling Properties. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2018; 10:43057-43067. [PMID: 30418742 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.8b15883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Poly(piperazine-amide)-based nanofiltration membranes exhibit a smooth surface and superior antifouling properties but often have lower Ca2+ and Mg2+ rejection due to their larger inner micropore and thus cannot be extensively used in water-softening applications. To decrease the pore size of poly(piperazine-amide) membranes, we designed and synthesized a novel monomer, 1,2,3,4-cyclobutane tetracarboxylic acid chloride (BTC), which possesses a smaller molecular conformation than trimesoyl chloride (TMC). The thickness of the prepared BTC-piperazine (PIP) polyamide nanofilm via interfacial polymerization is as thin as 15 nm, significantly lower than the 50 nm thickness of the TMC-PIP nanofilm. The surface characterization reveals that the BTC-PIP polyamide membrane exhibits an enhanced hydrophilicity, a smooth surface, and a decreased surface-negative charge. The desalination performance (both rejection and water flux) of these membranes in terms of Ca2+ and Mg2+ exceeds that of the current commercial water-softening membranes. In addition, the BTC-PIP polyamide membrane also exhibits superior antifouling properties compared to the TMC-based polyamide membrane. More importantly, molecular simulations show that the BTC-PIP membrane has a lower average pore size than that of the TMC-PIP membrane, which demonstrates an enhanced steric hindrance effect, as confirmed by desalination performance. Our results demonstrate that in the household and industrial water-softening market, BTC-PIP membrane with decreased porosity, enhanced hydrophilicity, and smooth surface is preferred alternative to the conventional TMC-based polyamide membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingbing Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing , China University of Petroleum (East China) , Qingdao 266555 , P. R. China
| | - Chi Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing , China University of Petroleum (East China) , Qingdao 266555 , P. R. China
| | - Pengfei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing , China University of Petroleum (East China) , Qingdao 266555 , P. R. China
| | - Honghong Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing , China University of Petroleum (East China) , Qingdao 266555 , P. R. China
| | - Peng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing , China University of Petroleum (East China) , Qingdao 266555 , P. R. China
| | - Tao Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing , China University of Petroleum (East China) , Qingdao 266555 , P. R. China
| | - Haixiang Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing , China University of Petroleum (East China) , Qingdao 266555 , P. R. China
| | - Q Jason Niu
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing , China University of Petroleum (East China) , Qingdao 266555 , P. R. China
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Runtti H, Tolonen ET, Tuomikoski S, Luukkonen T, Lassi U. How to tackle the stringent sulfate removal requirements in mine water treatment-A review of potential methods. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2018; 167:207-222. [PMID: 30053677 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2018.07.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2018] [Revised: 05/16/2018] [Accepted: 07/09/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Sulfate (SO42-) is a ubiquitous anion in natural waters. It is not considered toxic, but it may be detrimental to freshwater species at elevated concentrations. Mining activities are one significant source of anthropogenic sulfate into natural waters, mainly due to the exposure of sulfide mineral ores to weathering. There are several strategies for mitigating sulfate release, starting from preventing sulfate formation in the first place and ending at several end-of-pipe treatment options. Currently, the most widely used sulfate-removal process is precipitation as gypsum (CaSO4·2H2O). However, the lowest reachable concentration is theoretically 1500 mg L-1 SO42- due to gypsum's solubility. At the same time, several mines worldwide have significantly more stringent sulfate discharge limits. The purpose of this review is to examine the process options to reach low sulfate levels (< 1500 mg L-1) in mine effluents. Examples of such processes include alternative chemical precipitation methods, membrane technology, biological treatment, ion exchange, and adsorption. In addition, aqueous chemistry and current effluent standards concerning sulfate together with concentrate treatment and sulfur recovery are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Runtti
- University of Oulu, Research Unit of Sustainable Chemistry, P.O Box 4300, FI-90014, Finland
| | - Emma-Tuulia Tolonen
- University of Oulu, Research Unit of Sustainable Chemistry, P.O Box 4300, FI-90014, Finland
| | - Sari Tuomikoski
- University of Oulu, Research Unit of Sustainable Chemistry, P.O Box 4300, FI-90014, Finland
| | - Tero Luukkonen
- University of Oulu, Fibre and Particle Engineering Research Unit, P.O. Box 4300, FI-90014, Finland.
| | - Ulla Lassi
- University of Oulu, Research Unit of Sustainable Chemistry, P.O Box 4300, FI-90014, Finland; University of Jyvaskyla, Kokkola University Consortium Chydenius, Unit of Applied Chemistry, Talonpojankatu 2B, FI-67100 Kokkola, Finland
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Insights into the rejection of barium and strontium by nanofiltration membrane from experimental and modeling analysis. J Memb Sci 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2018.07.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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