Enhanced Microbial Oxidation–Neutralization Treatment of Acid Mine Drainage Rich in Ferrous Ions (Fe 2+ )

Wenjie He, Haibo Li, Yin Xu, Feng Zhong, Hao Dong and Min Wang
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Wenjie He: Faculty of Resources and Environmental Science, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China
Haibo Li: Faculty of Resources and Environmental Science, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China
Yin Xu: Faculty of Resources and Environmental Science, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China
Feng Zhong: Faculty of Resources and Environmental Science, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China
Hao Dong: Faculty of Resources and Environmental Science, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China
Min Wang: Faculty of Resources and Environmental Science, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 11, 1-13

Abstract: In this work, a method of enhanced packed-bed microbial oxidation–neutralization has been employed to treat Fe 2+ -rich acid mine drainage. The method features the use of a large number of immobile Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans ( A. ferrooxidans ) in a bioreactor to promote the oxidation of Fe 2+ to Fe 3+ . Results show that when the influent Fe 2+ concentration is about 900 mg/L and the Fe 2+ oxidation efficiency tends to 100%, the maximum oxidation rate of Fe 2+ in the bio-ceramsite, bio-volcanic stone, and bio-activated carbon packed columns are 301 mg/(L·h), 234 mg/(L·h), and 139 mg/(L·h), respectively. Compared with the direct neutralization method, the enhanced microbial oxidation–neutralization method has several advantages. Firstly, it oxidizes Fe 2+ to Fe 3+ , directly neutralizing the acid mine drainage at low pH and reducing the consumption of neutralizer. Secondly, more economical CaCO 3 can be used as neutralizer. Thirdly, it produces precipitates with high solid content (5.50%), good settling performance (SV 30 = 4%), and small volume, and the capillary suction time (CST) is 8.9 s, which is easy to dehydrate.

Keywords: ferrous ions; acid mine drainage; A. ferrooxidans; oxidation; neutralization (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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