| Abstract: | Treatment of acid mine drainage (AMD), whether with lime, limestone, caustic or simple aeration, nearly always results in generation of a metal hydroxide sludge. Disposal of the sludge often constitutes a significant fraction of the operating cost for the AMD treatment plant. Research at the USGS - Leetown Science Center has shown that AMD sludge, with its high content of aluminum and iron oxides, has a high affinity of phosphorus (P). Anthropogenic sources of P are associated with eutrophication and degradation of aquatic environments, resulting in anoxic dead zones in certain sensitive waterways. In this paper, we describe a method of converting the AMD sludge from a liability into an asset - Ferroxysorb P removal media - which can be used to remove excess P from wastewater. Three different Ferroxysorb media samples were produced from differing AMD sources and tested for P removal. Adsorption isotherms confirmed that the media had a high sorption capacity for P, as high as 19,000 mg/kg. The technology was demonstrated at an active fish hatchery, where the media remained in service for over three months without stripping or regeneration. Over that period of time, the calculated P removal was 50%, even at a very low influent P concentration of 60 parts per billion. In summary, use of the AMD-derived Ferroxysorb sorption media will reduce AMD treatment costs while at the same time helping to resolve the pressing environmental issue of eutrophication and degradation of sensitive waterways. |
| Genre: | Conference Paper |
| ProdID: | 70032910 |
| Citation Author: | Sibrell, P. L.; Tucker, T. W.; Kehler, T.; Fletcher, J. W. |
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| Citation End Page: | 92 |
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| Citation Language: | English |
| Citation Larger Work Title: | Hydrometallurgy 2008: Proceedings of the 6th International Symposium |
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| Citation Number Of Pages: | 7 |
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| Citation Search Results Text: | Removal of phosphorus from wastewater using ferroxysorb sorption media produced from amd sludge; 2008; Conference Paper; Hydrometallurgy 2008: Proceedings of the 6th International Symposium; Sibrell, P. L.; Tucker, T. W.; Kehler, T.; Fletcher, J. W. |
| Citation Start Page: | 86 |
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| Citation Year: | 2008 |
| Type: | citation/reference |
| Text: | Removal of phosphorus from wastewater using ferroxysorb sorption media produced from amd sludge; 2008; Conference Paper; Hydrometallurgy 2008: Proceedings of the 6th International Symposium; Sibrell, P. L.; Tucker, T. W.; Kehler, T.; Fletcher, J. W. |
| URL (THUMBNAIL): | http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/thumbnails/outside_thumb.jpg |
| Date Other: | Tue, 1 Jan 2008 00:00 -0600 |
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