Method for treating at ambient temperatures acid or non-acid mine drainage waters containing heavy metals using recirculated iron oxide as an oxidation and precipitation catalyst

摘要

The present invention is to provide a method for treating Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) or Non-Acid Mine Drainage (NAMD) waters, exhibiting a relative acidity/alkalinity pH factor of from 5.0 to 10.0, containing one or more of the heavy metals Fe, Mn, Mg, Al, Cu, Ni, Cr, or Zn held in solution, the method including: recovery and recirculation of existing iron oxide sediment and/or sludge precipitated in an AMD/NAMD water treatment settlement pond, basin or tank to blend with AMD/NAMD water containing heavy metals in solution, mixing the iron oxide sediment/sludge as a catalyst into and blending with AMD and NAMD water containing heavy metals in solution to accelerate the oxidation and sedimentation process of the heavy metals as precipitated heavy metal oxides and hydroxides in the AMD/NAMD water being treated.