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COMBINATION LIMESTONE-LIME NEUTRALIZATION OF FERROUS IRON ACID MINE DRAINAGE
Citation:
Wilmoth, R. COMBINATION LIMESTONE-LIME NEUTRALIZATION OF FERROUS IRON ACID MINE DRAINAGE. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/2-78/002 (NTIS PB280169).
Description:
Studies were conducted on ferrous-iron acid mine drainage (AMD) treatment by a two-step neutralization process in which rock-dust limestone was mixed with the influent AMD and then hydrated lime was added in a polishing reactor. This combination treatment process resulted in reagent consumption cost reductions as high as 30 percent as compared to single-stage hydrated lime treatment of the same AMD. Later data indicated that an equal cost reduction (compared to single-stage lime treatment) could be achieved by a two-stage hydrated lime process in which the AMD and recycled sludge were mixed in the first reaction vessel and hydrated lime was added in the second reactor. No cost advantage for the combination process over straight hydrated lime treatment was felt to exist in situations where sludge recycling was not employed.