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Binding of Vapour-Phase Mercury (Hg0) on Chemically Treated Bauxite Residues (Red Mud)
Citation:
HUTSON, N. D. AND B. ATTWOOD. Binding of Vapour-Phase Mercury (Hg0) on Chemically Treated Bauxite Residues (Red Mud). ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY. CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood Victoria, Australia, 5(4):281-288, (2008).
Impact/Purpose:
journal article
Description:
In this study, Hg capture using red mud, seawater-neutralized red mud, and acid-treated red mud is evaluated and compared to other, more conventional sorbent materials. Red mud (also known as bauxite residue) is a by-product of extracting alumina from ground bauxite ore by treating with hot concentrated base. The resulting residue is highly caustic (pH > 13.0) and difficult to handle, transport, and store. Worldwide, millions of tons of caustic red mud must be disposed of or stored annually. There have been many studies to develop beneficial uses for this residue material. When the caustic red mud is treated with seawater or other Ca- and Mg-rich brines, the pH of the mixture is reduced and low solubility hydroxide, carbonate or hydroxycarbonate minerals are precipitated. This seawater-neutralized red mud has been studied for use in treatment of acid mine waste and for adsorption of arsenate from water and wastewater. Mercury (Hg) is a toxic, persistent pollutant. Atmospheric mercury is a global problem, with many sources of natural and anthropogenic emissions. Stationary combustion sources accounted for approximately 76% of world-wide anthropogenic mercury emissions in 1995. There are other sources of mercury emissions that may benefit significantly by novel, mercury-specific control technologies. Other industrial sources, such as cement production, chlor-alkali manufacturing, and metals extraction and processing are also becoming more highly scrutinized due to mercury emissions and may benefit from advanced control technologies.
