Laboratory evaluation of the treatment of alkaline leachate with coal washery discard
RIS ID
61490
Abstract
This paper presents a laboratory investigation into the utilisation of a New South Wales coal washery discard (CWD) as an inexpensive and readily available material for reducing groundwater alkalinity in situ. It is part of a larger study examining the potential for Australian CWD to be used as a permeable reactive barrier material for the removal of various inorganic and organic contaminant species fiom groundwater. Batch test results indicate that both fine and coarse CWD can reduce the pH of an alkaline contaminant solution fiom pH 11-12.5 to pH 8.5. The geochemical equilibrium model MINTEQA2 has been used to assist in the identification of the major attenuation mechanisms. It appears that the kaolinite and siderite within the CWD are dissolving and relatively insoluble secondary minerals (aluminium and iron hydroxides) are being formed. This process is timedependent, and requires a higher residence time for contaminant solutions with a higher initial pH. Results indicate that CWD has the potential to be an economical and environmentally sustainable groundwater treatment material.
Publication Details
Gray, S., Morris, C. Sivakumar, M. (2000). Laboratory evaluation of the treatment of alkaline leachate with coal washery discard. Fourth Australia New Zealand Young Geotechnical Professionals Conference (pp. 99-104). Informit.