Fly Ash for Removal of Contaminates from Coal Mine Drainage

Abstract

In this study, fly ash obtained from a coal burning power plant was used to remove iron from coal mine drainage as well as raising the pH to acceptable limits for natural water using column chromatography. The results of this study indicate that fly ash has the ability to completely remove iron and reduce acidity of coal mine water drainage. This approach can be extended to include other contaminants such as magnesium.