• Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.15-21
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• 2011

Arsenic is one of the most abundant contaminant found in waste mine tailings, because of it's carcinogenic property, the countries like United states of America and Europe have made stringent regulations which govern the concentration of arsenic in drinking water. The current study focuses on different treatment methods for removal of arsenic from waste water. Treatment method the high strength arsenic waste water is treated with Fe(III)-ettringite by co-precipitation method. Number of experiments were carried out to decide the optimal dosage of Fe(III)-ettringite to treat arsenic waste water. The Fe(III)-ettringite was synthesized by taking appropriate equivalent ratios of calcium oxide and ferric chloride in proportion to the arsenic. The best removal efficiencies of 94% were observed at a As/(Ca: Fe) ratio of 1:3. The maximum removal of arsenic was observed in pH range of 12. But as the pH increases the arsenic removal efficiency decreases as portlandite is formed in the pH above 12. The analysis of surface of precipitate conform the needle like structure of ettringite. This treatment technique has promising features such as, the chemicals required in the treatment as well as the sludge generated can be reduced. The operating pH range is in alkaline region which is advantageous over traditional treatment process which has lower pH. Also the co-precipitation not only helps in removal of arsenic but also heavy metals.