Grantee Research Project Results
Final Report: Continuous Extraction of Heavy Metals From AMD Streams
EPA Contract Number: EPD04021Title: Continuous Extraction of Heavy Metals From AMD Streams
Investigators: Thompson, Joel S.
Small Business: Eltron Research & Development Inc.
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: I
Project Period: March 1, 2004 through August 31, 2004
Project Amount: $69,999
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase I (2004) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Hazardous Waste/Remediation , SBIR - Mining , Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
Description:
The goal of this research project was to develop a polymeric system that is able to remove heavy metal ions out of an acidic mine drainage (AMD) stream. Furthermore, this system can undergo the controlled release of these metal ions, which do not depend on changes in pH or the introduction of special solvents. Instead, the proposed system will utilize a “light activated” mechanism to release metal ions. In addition, the proposed system will undergo multiple cycles of metal binding and release without significant degradation.
Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):
Eltron Research, Inc., has completed the following activities: (1) synthesized, isolated, and showed the photo activity of the site monitor; (2) developed a method to invoke and measure the photo activity of compounds; (3) demonstrated control of binding and the release state of homologues; (4) demonstrated the influence of pH on control; and (5) repeated binding/release cycles through multiple iterations.
Conclusions:
The proposed technology will be a recyclable photo active system with the potential to bind/release metal ions in a controlled fashion, without the use of corrosive or toxic eluants.
Supplemental Keywords:
heavy metals, acid mine drainage, AMD, mining, water, metal ions, polymeric system, solvents, photo activity, remediation, ion exchange, SBIR,, Sustainable Industry/Business, RFA, Scientific Discipline, INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION, TREATMENT/CONTROL, Waste, Water, Hazardous, Remediation, Technology for Sustainable Environment, Engineering, Chemistry, Sustainable Environment, Environmental Chemistry, Engineering, Chemistry, & Physics, Hazardous Waste, cleaner production/pollution prevention, New/Innovative technologies, Environmental Engineering, Technology, heavy metals, polymeric system, detoxification, acid mine drainage, innovative technologies, metal recovery , recovery, metal recovery, recovery of heavy metals, innovative technology, contaminated waters, toxic metalsThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.