Passive removal of sulphate and heavy metals from acid mine drainage using sewage sludge and fly ash

Abstract This study aims to calculate the removal efficiency (%RE) of metals and sulphate constant rate reduction from acid mine drainage (AMD) based on passive treatment principles named permeable reactive barrier (PRB) in batch test prior column test. Three media mixtures containing a variety domestic sewage sludge (SE), mess hall compost (CO), cocopeat (CP), fly ash (FA) were simulated. All materials are solid waste other operating units. M1 M2 contains organic inorganic waste, M3 was only contain waste. The AMD collected copper mining rock dump which contained high sulphate, metals, low pH. Batch tests conducted series glass bottles an anaerobic chamber, sub-samplings taken days 0, 7, 14, 28. At end treatment, it indicated that mixture resulting highest (SO 4 2- ) (44%), alkalinity generation 1431 mg/L (as CaCO 3 %RE Al, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Zn expected be 100%, Ni 82%, Se 57%, Mn 98%. Additional FA for such releasing more As final result compare substrates. primary mechanism controlling reaction combination sulphide precipitation enhanced by Sulphate Reducing Bacteria (SRB) activities supported pH buffering hydroxide precipitation. assumed first-order with constants found as 0.0208 d −1 reactors, 0.0144 , 0.0161 respectively.