Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A novel approach in red mud neutralization using cow dung

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Environmental Science and Pollution Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In this study, cow dung was identified as a neutralizing agent for red mud (RM). Present research estimated a significant reduction in pH value of red mud (10 g) from 10.28 to 8.15 and reduction in alkalinity of ~148 mg/L from ~488 mg/L by adding 80 g of cow dung in 40 days of anaerobic condition. XRD results exhibit a high intensity of quartz and found new compound, the calcium carbide. The acid neutralizing capacity (ANC) of NRM reduces to ~0.87 from ~1.506 mol H+/kg. Based on the resultant research, present study proposes cow dung as an efficient neutralizing agent for reducing the pH and alkalinity in the red mud.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abubakar, BSUI, Ismail N (2012) Anaerobic digestion of cow dung for biogas production. ARPN Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences. 7(2)

  • Bertocchi AF, Ghiani M, Peretti R, Zucca A (2006) Red mud and fly ash for remediation of mine sites contaminated with As, Cd, u, Pb and Zn. J Hazard Mater B 134(1-3):112–119. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2005.10.043

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bonenfan TD, Kharoune L, Sauve S, Hausler R, Niquette P, Mimeault M, Kharoune M (2008) CO2 sequestration by aqueous red mud carbonation at ambient pressure and temperature. Ind Eng Chem Res 47(20):7617–7622. https://doi.org/10.1021/ie7017228

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cardell C, Guerra I, Romero-Pastor J, Cultrone G, Rodriguez-Navarro A (2008) Innovative analytical methodology combining micro-x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy-based mineral maps, and diffuse reflectance infrared fourier transform spectroscopy to characterize archeological artifacts. Anal Chem, 2009 81(2):604–611. https://doi.org/10.1021/ac8022444 Publication Date (Web): 19 December

    Google Scholar 

  • Collazo A, Cristobal MJ, Novoa XR, Pena G, Perez MC (2006) Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy as a tool for studying steel corrosion inhibation in simulated concrete environments-red mud used as rebar corrosion. J ASTM Int 3(2):1–10

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Enick RM, Beckman EJ, Shi C, Xu J (2001) Remediation of metal-bearing aqueous waste streams via direct carbonation. Energy Fuel 15(2):256–262. https://doi.org/10.1021/ef000245x

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fois E, Lallai A, Mura G (2007) Sulfur dioxide absorption in a bubbling reactor with suspensions of Bayer red mud. Ind Eng Chem Res 46(21):6770–6776. https://doi.org/10.1021/ie0616904

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fuhrman HG, Tjell JC, McConchie D (2004) Increasing the arsenate adsorption capacity of neutralized red mud (bauxsol). J Colloid Interface Sci 271(2):313–320. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcis.2003.10.011

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Glenister DJ, Thornber MR (1985) Alkalinity of red mud and its applications for management of acid wastes. Chem Aust 85:100–113

    Google Scholar 

  • Gok A, Omastova M, Proken J (2007) Synthesis and characterization of red mud/polyaniline composites: electrical properties and thermal stability. Eur Polym J 43(6):2471–2480. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2007.03.005

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hanahan C, McConchie D, John P, Creeiman R, Clark M, Stocksiek C (2004) Chemistry of sea water neutralization of bauxite refinery residues (red mud). Environ Eng Sci 21(2):125–138. https://doi.org/10.1089/109287504773087309

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Khaitan S, Dzombak DA, Lowry GV (2009) Mechanisms of neutralization of bauxite residue by carbon dioxide. J Environ Eng 135(6):433–438. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)EE.1943-7870.0000010

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mahamuda SK, Swapna K, Venkateswarlu M, Srinivasa Rao A, Shakya S, Vijaya Prakash G (2014) Spectral characterisation of Sm3+ ions doped Oxy-fluoroborate glasses for visible orange luminescent applications. J Lumin 154:410–424

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Newson T, Dyer T, Adam C, Sharp S (2006) Effect of structure on the geotechnical properties of bauxite residue. J Geotech Eng 132(2):143–151. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)1090-0241(2006)132:2(143)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nopharatana A, Pullammanappallil PC, Clarke WP (2007) Kinetic and dynamic modelling of batch anaerobic digestion of municipal solid waste in a stirred reactor. Waste Manag 27:595–603

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Onwuliri FC, Onyimba IA, Nwaukwu IA (2013) Generation of biogas from cow dung. J Bioremed Biodeg 2013, S:18

  • Palmer SJ, Nothling M, Bakon K, Frost R (2010) Thermally activated seawater neutralised red mud used for the removal of arsenate, vanadate and molybdate from aqueous solutions. J Colloid Interface Sci 342(1):147–154. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcis.2009.10.010

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rai S, Wasewar Kailas L, Lataye Dilip H, Mishra Rajshekhar S, Puttewar Suresh P, Chaddha Mukesh J, Mahindiran P, Mukhopadhyay J (2012) Neutralization of red mud with pickling waste liquor using Taguchi‘s design of experimental methodology. Waste Manag Res 30(9):922–930. http://wmr.sagepub.com/content/30/9/922

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rai SB, Wasewar KL, Mishra RS, Putter SP, Chaddha MJ, Mukhopadhyay J, Chang KY (2013) Neutralization of red mud by using inorganic acids. Res J Chem Environ 17(7). https://www.scribd.com/doc/218288233/Neutralization-of-Red-Mud-Using-Inorganic-Acids

  • Sahu RC, Patel RK, Ray BC (2010) Neutralization of red mud using CO2 sequestration cycle. J Hazard Mater 179(1–3):28–34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2010.02.052

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shi C, Xu J, Beckman E, Enick R (2000) Carbon dioxide sequestration via pH reduction of red mud using liquid CO2. ACS Div Fuel Chem 45(4):703–705

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Swapna K, Mahamuda S, Srinivasa Rao A, Shakya S, Sasikala T, Haranath D, Vijaya Prakash G (2014) Optical studies of Sm3+ ions doped Zinc Alumino Bismuth Borate glasses. Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc 125:53–60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.saa.2014.01.025

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Szirmai E, Babusek S, Balogh G, Nedves A, Horvath G, Lebenyi Z, Pinter J (1991) Method for the multistage, waste-free processing of red mud to recover basic materials of chemical industry, US Patent 5,053,144, Oct 1

  • Wong WC, Ho GE (1994) Effectiveness of acidic industrial wastes for reclaiming fine bauxite refining residue (red mud). Soil Sci 158(2):115–123. https://doi.org/10.1097/00010694-199408000-00005

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yadav SJ, Thakare SB (2013) Cow dung for improving the pH of highly alkaline soil and Indian cow importance from Vedic scriptures. Int J Sci Res (IJSR). ISSN (Online): 2319–7064

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors are thankful to Nalco Damanjodi, Koraput, Odisha, India, for providing sample for the research work. The author also is thankful to Director, NIT, Rourkela, for providing research facilities.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mining Engineering Department, National Institute of Technology Rourkela, Odisha, 769008, India

    Sucharita Patel & Bhatu Kumar Pal

  2. Department of Chemistry, National Institute of Technology Rourkela, Odisha, 769008, India

    Raj Kishore Patel

Authors
  1. Sucharita Patel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Bhatu Kumar Pal
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Raj Kishore Patel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sucharita Patel.

Additional information

Responsible editor: Philippe Garrigues

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Patel, S., Pal, B.K. & Patel, R.K. A novel approach in red mud neutralization using cow dung. Environ Sci Pollut Res 25, 12841–12848 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-1374-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-1374-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation