Mine Water as a Resource: Selective Removal and Recovery of Trace Antimony from Mine-Impacted Water

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of combined modular processes to selectively remove Sb from mine-impacted waters in an Arctic environment in order to fulfil local environmental criteria for discharged waters. Novel ion exchange, selective extraction and ultrafiltration, electrocoagulation, and dissolved air flotation technologies were investigated, individually or in combination, from the laboratory-to pilot-demonstration scale. Laboratory-scale testing using Fe 2 (SO 4 ) 3 precipitation, ion exchange resin, selective ion extraction and ultrafiltration, and electrocoagulation with or without subsequent dissolved air flotation indicated that any of the methods are potentially applicable to Sb removal from mine water. The observed differences between Sb and As removal efficiency by ion exchange resin illustrated the need for Sb-specific removal and recovery technologies. Techno-economic analyses showed that treatment of mine water using electrocoagulationdissolved air flotation yields the lowest comparative life-cycle cost of examined technologies. Results demonstrated increased Sb attenuation efficiency using either electrocoagulation-dissolved air flotation or selective extraction and ultrafiltration, even when treating only 50% of the mine-impacted water, compared with conventional Fe 2 (SO 4 ) 3 precipitation from mine water. Additional investigation is necessary to characterize the long-term stability of the mineral phases in Sb-containing solid residues and to inform selection of Sb recovery methods and utilisation or final disposal options for the residual materials.

Submicron fibers as a morphological improvement of amorphous zirconium oxide particles and their utilization in antimonate (Sb(v)) removal

“…3À and SO 4 2À are hampering already weaker separation of Sb(V). 33 The removal efficiency could be improved by using selective adsorption since adsorption is a simple, efficient and inexpensive method for metal separation from water, especially on trace level concentrations. 27 Some zirconium based materials such as zirconium oxide, 12,26 iron-zirconium bimetal oxide, 26 zirconium oxide decorated carbon nanobers, 14 zirconium-based metal-organic framework 34 and Zr-loaded saponied orange waste 35 are proven to be efficient Sb(V) adsorbents.…”

Evaluating water-yield property of karst aquifer based on the AHP and CV

“…In contrast to other research, we can use specific yield as a verification 31 , 32 . The specific yield is usually used to evaluate the water-yield of a regional aquifer, but it is only for a homogeneous aquifer.…”

Evaluating Water-Yield Property of Karst Aquifer Based On The AHP And CV

“…In contrast to other research, we can use specific yield as a verification (Arnold et al 2019;Chen et al 2018). The specific yield is usually used to evaluate the water-yield of a regional aquifer, but it is only for a homogeneous aquifer.…”