Removal of Ferric Ions from Acid Mine Water with Recycled Rock Wool

Abstract

The removal of ferric ions from acid mine water was investigated with the neutralizer of recycled rock wool (RRW) in this study. The performance on the removal of ferric ions by the neutralizer of RRW was also compared with that in the neutralizer of virgin rock wool (VRW). Some wastes like the materials from rock wool fire-resistant cover of steel-frame buildings, rock wool insulator wastes of thermal power plants and so on were collected in order to make RRW. In the intermediate process, the objectives were separated and other matters were removed. Sample particles were made after adding blast furnace cement and water as a binder to the objectives and mixing together. When the cumulative volume of passing water increased at the average rate of passing water from 3.85 to 3.89 L/day, the removal performance of ferric ions on RRW was inferior to that on VRW. It is considered that since RRW has larger bulk density, that is, smaller specific surface area, the chemical reactivity of RRW is inferior to that of VRW. When the average rate of passing water was changed from 1.81 to 1.91 L/day, the removal performance of ferric ions on RRW was almost equal to that on VRW.