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Characterising the acid mine drainage potential of fine coal wastes
Includes bibliographical references.
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| Main Author: | |
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| Other Authors: | |
| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Centre for Bioprocess Engineering Research
2015
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| _version_ | 1867613548391170048 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | Kotelo, Lerato Olga |
| author2 | Broadhurst, Jennifer Lee |
| author_browse | Broadhurst, Jennifer Lee Kotelo, Lerato Olga |
| author_facet | Broadhurst, Jennifer Lee Kotelo, Lerato Olga |
| author_sort | Kotelo, Lerato Olga |
| collection | Thesis |
| description | Includes bibliographical references. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/12574 |
| institution | University of Cape Town (South Africa) |
| language | eng |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:37:54.073Z |
| license_str | Not specified — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from UCTD — University of Cape Town Open Access Repository |
| publishDate | 2015 |
| publishDateRange | 2015 |
| publishDateSort | 2015 |
| publisher | Centre for Bioprocess Engineering Research |
| publisherStr | Centre for Bioprocess Engineering Research |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | UCTD — University of Cape Town Open Access Repository |
| spelling | oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/12574 Characterising the acid mine drainage potential of fine coal wastes Kotelo, Lerato Olga Broadhurst, Jennifer Lee Becker, Megan Harrison, STL Franzidis, Jean-Paul Bioprocess Engineering Includes bibliographical references. Acid mine drainage (AMD) is one of the major environmental challenges facing the South African mining sector. Acid mine drainage has received significant public attention in recent years. South Africa's long mining history has led to a growing concern that coal-related AMD from these mines (both operational and defunct) will continue for centuries to come. Pyrite bearing fine waste, generated during coal preparation and beneficiation, is thought to carry a significant amount of AMD pollution risk. Coal-related AMD generation has not been afforded the same exposure as AMD generation from high sulphide minerals such as gold and copper ores. This is exacerbated by the growing concern over water quality degradation in the Mpumalanga region of South Africa. The development of integrated solutions to address the management of coal-related AMD requires an understanding of the principle causes behind coal-related AMD. To date, most of the prediction methods described in literature have been derived for the prediction of AMD in metal bearing ores. Furthermore, some of these methods are based on assumptions and do not take into consideration the various sulphur species present. Additionally, some of these methods have limited applicability to coal due to the high total organic carbon content (TOC) of the material. This research project attempts to address these short comings and uncertainties by developing a systematic and meaningful framework for the characterisation of South African coal and coal waste. The research project contributes to the knowledge of coal-related AMD with particular emphasis on the characterisation methods responsible for sulphur speciation and mineralogy for coal. The approach entails carrying out a case study assessment aimed at empirically assessing a coal tailings sample according to: particle size distribution, textural reference, mineralogical characteristics, and how the aforementioned factors influence the acid potential in coal. The approach intends to address key factors which include: identifying the sulphur bearing organic and inorganic constituents related AMD generation in coal, assessing how the mineralogy, texture and particle size distribution contribute to AMD potential in coal tailings, and then identifying suitable analytical techniques and test methods which can provide data. The combination of these key outcomes will seek to provide a systematic and meaningful framework for the characterisation of coal and coal waste streams. The characterisation methods used in this case study outlined a framework focusing on four main areas of acid mine drainage characterisation for coal wastes, these included: chemical characterisation, mineralogical characterisation, sulphur speciation and AMD prediction. This comprehensive approach employed a suite of techniques, including: petrography, quantitative x-ray diffraction (QXRD) and quantitative evaluation of minerals by scanning electron spectrometry (QEMSCAN). 2015-03-04T19:27:27Z 2015-03-04T19:27:27Z 2013 Master Thesis Masters MSc http://hdl.handle.net/11427/12574 eng application/pdf Centre for Bioprocess Engineering Research Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment University of Cape Town |
| spellingShingle | Bioprocess Engineering Kotelo, Lerato Olga Characterising the acid mine drainage potential of fine coal wastes |
| thesis_degree_str | Master's |
| title | Characterising the acid mine drainage potential of fine coal wastes |
| title_full | Characterising the acid mine drainage potential of fine coal wastes |
| title_fullStr | Characterising the acid mine drainage potential of fine coal wastes |
| title_full_unstemmed | Characterising the acid mine drainage potential of fine coal wastes |
| title_short | Characterising the acid mine drainage potential of fine coal wastes |
| title_sort | characterising the acid mine drainage potential of fine coal wastes |
| topic | Bioprocess Engineering |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/11427/12574 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT koteloleratoolga characterisingtheacidminedrainagepotentialoffinecoalwastes |