Reducing the content of metal ions from mine water by using converter sludge

Abstract

The aim of this paper was to study of utilization of converter sludge waste as a sorbent. The sorbent was utilized to reduce the content of manganese, cobalt, and nickel ions from mine water. Sorbent utilized in this work was obtained from the metallurgical industry from a process of gas treatment in an oxygen converter. Converter sludge was characterized by X-ray diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscope, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, Specific Surface Area and Particle Size. Sorption experiments were conducted in a batch mode by using the real mine water. The impact of pH and contact time on the pollutant removal efficiency was observed. The sorption kinetics were evaluated with pseudo-first and pseudo-second order kinetic models. For the tested materials, the highest level of mine water purification was achieved; thus, the mine water could be discharged into the watercourse. The results of this study indicate that the application of metallurgical waste as a sorbent is highly effective for the treatment of multicomponent mine water.