Acid Mine Drainage Treatment
Acid Mine Drainage Treatment
(OP)
I'm interested in learning more about treating acid mine drainage (AMD). In my job, I work with group that developed designs for abandoned mine reclamation in Iowa.
I know little about treating AMD, except that I've seen limestone packs and passive wetland treatment systems proposed for such work.
I would enjoy a dialogue with other professionals who may be able to help me learn more about this topic. Perhaps they could suggest a research paper to read. Of particular interest to me is the design criteria. How big for how much flow, pH etc. Anyone out there knowledgeable on this topic?
I know little about treating AMD, except that I've seen limestone packs and passive wetland treatment systems proposed for such work.
I would enjoy a dialogue with other professionals who may be able to help me learn more about this topic. Perhaps they could suggest a research paper to read. Of particular interest to me is the design criteria. How big for how much flow, pH etc. Anyone out there knowledgeable on this topic?





RE: Acid Mine Drainage Treatment
Yes, I am familiar with the use of limestone to line the drainage ditches, but don't know the design criteria. Just that it works.
f-d
¡papá gordo ain't no madre flaca!
RE: Acid Mine Drainage Treatment
http://water.epa.gov/polwaste/nps/acid_mne.cfm
Acid mine drainage water forms through a chemical reaction/ natural bacterial reaction of water (rainwater, snowmelt, pond water) and shallow subsurface water with rocks or waste tailings that contain sulfur-bearing minerals, resulting in sulfuric acid. Heavy metals will then be leached from rocks that come in contact with the acid drainage.
RE: Acid Mine Drainage Treatment
This is close.
f-d
¡papá gordo ain't no madre flaca!
RE: Acid Mine Drainage Treatment
2FeS2(s) + 14Fe + 8H2O --> 15Fe + 2SO4 + 16H
Oxidation of iron releases hydrogen (H+) from the water making the water acidic. The H+ combines with sulfate (SO4) present in the water to give H2SO4 (sulfuric acid)
Lime is used to neutralize the sulfuric acid:
Ca(OH)2 + H2SO4 > CaSO4 + 2H2O
RE: Acid Mine Drainage Treatment
(My earlier reference to chemistry was basically illustrative, but I'd still think O2 is critical to the formation of sulfuric acid.)
f-d
¡papá gordo ain't no madre flaca!
RE: Acid Mine Drainage Treatment
2FeS2(s) + 7O2(g) + 2H2O 2Fe2+(aq) + 4SO42-(aq) + 4H+(aq) (1)
4Fe2+(aq) + O2(g) + 4H+(aq) Fe3+(aq) + 2H2O (2)
Oxidation of iron releases hydrogen (H+) from the water making the water acidic. The H+ combines with sulfate (SO4) present in the water to give H2SO4 (sulfuric acid)