Acid Mine Drainage Treatment Using Bayer Precipitates Obtained from Seawater Neutralization of Bayer Liquor

Abstract Bayer precipitates from the seawater neutralization of Bayer liquor waste from the alumina industry are shown to be a prospective solution for the remediation of acid mine drainage (AMD) water. Precipitates are varied in composition, albeit they are generally comprised of hydrotalcite (Mg6A...

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Main Authors: Gurkiran Kaur, Sara J. Couperthwaite, Graeme J. Millar
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2018-12-01
Series:Global Challenges
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/gch2.201800061
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author Gurkiran Kaur
Sara J. Couperthwaite
Graeme J. Millar
author_facet Gurkiran Kaur
Sara J. Couperthwaite
Graeme J. Millar
author_sort Gurkiran Kaur
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Bayer precipitates from the seawater neutralization of Bayer liquor waste from the alumina industry are shown to be a prospective solution for the remediation of acid mine drainage (AMD) water. Precipitates are varied in composition, albeit they are generally comprised of hydrotalcite (Mg6Al2(OH)16CO3∙xH2O), calcite (CaCO3), aragonite (CaCO3), mixed metal hydroxides (Mg2Al(OH)7), and halite (NaCl). Brucite (Mg(OH)2) is detected for lower Bayer liquor concentrations (1–3 g L−1 Al2O3) when the concentrations of aluminum and hydroxyl species are insufficient to promote hydrotalcite formation. The neutralizing capacity of the precipitates also varies with Bayer liquor composition. Treatment of AMD water with Bayer precipitates met discharge pH guidelines. The dissolution of hydrotalcite and brucite (1–3 g L−1 Bayer precipitates only) is responsible for the Bayer precipitate's neutralizing capacity, while calcium carbonate has a buffering affect at around pH 7. Manganese ions are the most challenging species to remove because high pH values are required (pH > 9), which is not possible with all precipitates tested. One caveat is that increasing the degree of manganese removal generates issues with excessive dissolved aluminum which exceeds discharge limits. Future research should address this latter problem and facilitate implementation of this approach to AMD remediation.
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spelling doaj.art-f36a7554fdff436da534f177e50a133c2023-08-14T09:40:42ZengWileyGlobal Challenges2056-66462018-12-01212n/an/a10.1002/gch2.201800061Acid Mine Drainage Treatment Using Bayer Precipitates Obtained from Seawater Neutralization of Bayer LiquorGurkiran Kaur0Sara J. Couperthwaite1Graeme J. Millar2Chemistry, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Science and Engineering Faculty Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Brisbane 4001 Queensland AustraliaChemistry, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Science and Engineering Faculty Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Brisbane 4001 Queensland AustraliaChemistry, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Science and Engineering Faculty Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Brisbane 4001 Queensland AustraliaAbstract Bayer precipitates from the seawater neutralization of Bayer liquor waste from the alumina industry are shown to be a prospective solution for the remediation of acid mine drainage (AMD) water. Precipitates are varied in composition, albeit they are generally comprised of hydrotalcite (Mg6Al2(OH)16CO3∙xH2O), calcite (CaCO3), aragonite (CaCO3), mixed metal hydroxides (Mg2Al(OH)7), and halite (NaCl). Brucite (Mg(OH)2) is detected for lower Bayer liquor concentrations (1–3 g L−1 Al2O3) when the concentrations of aluminum and hydroxyl species are insufficient to promote hydrotalcite formation. The neutralizing capacity of the precipitates also varies with Bayer liquor composition. Treatment of AMD water with Bayer precipitates met discharge pH guidelines. The dissolution of hydrotalcite and brucite (1–3 g L−1 Bayer precipitates only) is responsible for the Bayer precipitate's neutralizing capacity, while calcium carbonate has a buffering affect at around pH 7. Manganese ions are the most challenging species to remove because high pH values are required (pH > 9), which is not possible with all precipitates tested. One caveat is that increasing the degree of manganese removal generates issues with excessive dissolved aluminum which exceeds discharge limits. Future research should address this latter problem and facilitate implementation of this approach to AMD remediation.https://doi.org/10.1002/gch2.201800061acid mine drainagebauxite refinery residuesBayer precipitatesseawater neutralization
spellingShingle Gurkiran Kaur
Sara J. Couperthwaite
Graeme J. Millar
Acid Mine Drainage Treatment Using Bayer Precipitates Obtained from Seawater Neutralization of Bayer Liquor
Global Challenges
acid mine drainage
bauxite refinery residues
Bayer precipitates
seawater neutralization
title Acid Mine Drainage Treatment Using Bayer Precipitates Obtained from Seawater Neutralization of Bayer Liquor
title_full Acid Mine Drainage Treatment Using Bayer Precipitates Obtained from Seawater Neutralization of Bayer Liquor
title_fullStr Acid Mine Drainage Treatment Using Bayer Precipitates Obtained from Seawater Neutralization of Bayer Liquor
title_full_unstemmed Acid Mine Drainage Treatment Using Bayer Precipitates Obtained from Seawater Neutralization of Bayer Liquor
title_short Acid Mine Drainage Treatment Using Bayer Precipitates Obtained from Seawater Neutralization of Bayer Liquor
title_sort acid mine drainage treatment using bayer precipitates obtained from seawater neutralization of bayer liquor
topic acid mine drainage
bauxite refinery residues
Bayer precipitates
seawater neutralization
url https://doi.org/10.1002/gch2.201800061
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AT sarajcouperthwaite acidminedrainagetreatmentusingbayerprecipitatesobtainedfromseawaterneutralizationofbayerliquor
AT graemejmillar acidminedrainagetreatmentusingbayerprecipitatesobtainedfromseawaterneutralizationofbayerliquor