Grantee Research Project Results
Continuous Extraction of Heavy Metals From AMD Streams
EPA Contract Number: EPD04021Title: Continuous Extraction of Heavy Metals From AMD Streams
Investigators: Thompson, Joel S.
Small Business: Eltron Research & Development Inc.
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: I
Project Period: March 1, 2004 through August 31, 2004
Project Amount: $69,999
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase I (2004) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: SBIR - Mining , Hazardous Waste/Remediation , Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
Description:
The goal of this Phase I research project is to develop a polymeric system that is capable of binding and removing heavy metal ions from an acid mine drainage (AMD) stream. In addition, this system will undergo controlled release of these metal ions that does not depend on changes in pH or the introduction of special solvents. The proposed system will undergo multiple cycles of metal binding and release without significant degradation.
The proposed polymeric metal binding system could find application in a variety of industries that generate metal waste streams, including metal refineries, plating plants, and mining operations. In particular, this technology could find use in remediation of AMD streams emanating from abandoned mines.
In the first part of this research project, Eltron Research, Inc., will synthesize and test the "active site" of the polymeric system for binding/release kinetics and stability. In the second part of the project, the active site monomer will be bound in a polymeric system and evaluated in a similar fashion. Methods to evaluate kinetics and stability developed in Phase I, as well as what these evaluation methods reveal (i.e., pathways of decomposition), will guide the design of Phase II. In Phase II, new active site designs and polymerization methodologies will deliver self-contained units to remove heavy metal ions from a waste stream and preconcentrate them for recycling.
Supplemental Keywords:
small business, SBIR, mining, acidic mine drainage, AMD, heavy metals extraction, polymeric system, ions, metal binding, metal waste stream, remediation, mines, active site monomer, EPA., RFA, Scientific Discipline, INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION, TREATMENT/CONTROL, Waste, Water, Sustainable Industry/Business, Environmental Chemistry, cleaner production/pollution prevention, Sustainable Environment, Remediation, Chemistry, Technology, Technology for Sustainable Environment, Hazardous Waste, New/Innovative technologies, Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Hazardous, Engineering, Chemistry, & Physics, detoxification, recovery, acid mine drainage, contaminated waters, metal recovery , metal binding, metal recovery, toxic metals, innovative technology, innovative technologies, heavy metals, polymeric systemProgress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.