Sulfur-Modified Iron (Smi) Process for Arsenic Removal

Abstract

Abstract:Many waters associated with mining and mineral processing contain high concentrations of arsenic, and effluent typically must meet increasingly stringent. human health standards. A new proprietary technology for arsenic removal has been developed by Peter F. Santina to cost-effectively meet these discharge limits. Hydrometries, Inc. has performed, under contract to Peter F. Santina, further lab tests to prove and test limits of the efficacy of the process. In the sulfur-modified iron (SM!) process, arsenic is removed by an iron/sulfur matrix. Arsenic concentrations below 0.005 mg/1. have been obtained using SMI in jar tests and column tests, and the iron/sulfur residue has passed the U.S. EPA Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) test. A 10-gpm federally-funded pilot test is underway to further develop this promising technology. The purpose of pilot testing is to identify specific design parameters and operational procedures which can be used for full-scale production application of the SM! process. Projected operating costs for SM! are lower than alternative arsenic removal technologies such as iron salt addition, reverse osmosis and activated alumina. Cost savings would increase proportionally with higher flow rates and higher arsenic concentrations. The SM! process is potentially very promising for simple, cost-effective treatment of mining and other industrial effluents, drinking water and other arsenic-containing waters. Additional