Preliminary study on application of precipitated calcium carbonate as an alternative in water treatment

Abstract

Calcium carbide sludge represents a by-product of acetylene gas production in which this waste material is converted to precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC). In this study, the PCC products were used for the treatment of acid mine drainage (AMD) which shows a major concern to the groundwater pollution. Groundwater are contaminated due to its high acidity, concentration of dissolved heavy metal ions and anions. Acid mine drainage (AMD) was collected from iron (Fe) tailing pond that is located at Bukit Besi, Terengganu. Jar test method was used to study the effectiveness of PCC in AMD treatment. A total of six different dosage of PCC were used in this experiment and was observed between twelve intervals of time. Throughout the experiment, the pH value was observed and recorded for every interval of time. The water sample was tested using Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP-OES) before and after the jar test to determine the content of heavy metal. From the result of jar test, it shows by using 2.0g of PCC the water sample was able to comply to standard A and B stated in the Mineral Development (Effluent) Regulations 2016 which is 5.5 and 6 within 20 minutes. Results from ICP-OES also shows that heavy metals content such as Aluminium (Al), Copper (Cu) and Ferum (Fe) were able to be removed up to 96% leaving Manganese that was only able to remove by 7.7%.