Metals Recovery from Industrial Sludges. Phase 2.

This report describes the Metals Recovery from Industrial Sludge Program. The program objective is to identify or develop processes for reclaiming metals from a mixed, metal-bearing, waste sludge produced by the Industrial Waste Treatment Plant at Tinker AFB and other facilities where similar waste treatment processes are used. A literature review, market survey, and preliminary laboratory tests have been done. Metal separations appear promising through selective chemical precipitation processes. Other technologies, including electrowinning, electrodialysis, and wet air oxidation may be combined with chemical precipitation to offer a feasible metals recovery process. A building was constructed around the Tinker AFB demonstration IWTP system during Phase I in order to offer climatic protection to the other AF projects currently being performed at this site. The Phase II program consisted of bench-scale tests of identified unit processes and a continued search for alternative treatment methods. Phase II efforts identified an overall metals recovery scheme that was subjected to bench-scale testing and generated a data base for the design of a pilot field verification unit. Phase III of the metals recovery program will consist of design, construction, and operation and evaluation of the field verification unit. AN