Production of a poly-alumino-iron sulphate coagulant by chemical precipitation of a coal mining acid drainage

The aim of this work was to produce a poly-alumino-iron sulphate coagulant from acidic coal mine drainage. Precipitating the iron and aluminium at pH 5.0, followed by dissolution in sulphuric acid, produced a coagulant consisting of 8.7% iron and 3.3% aluminium. Water treatment tests proved that this coagulant was as efficient as the coagulant chemicals conventionally used in water treatment plants. The process can be easily incorporated into conventional AMD treatment plants, thereby reducing sludge waste issues and producing a valuable chemical reagent.