Fluoride wastes from mineral industry processing plant

Abstract

The apparent solubility of fluorites in the presences of soils in the absence and presence of calcite and the abstraction of fluoride by soils from dilute aqueous streams were experientially investigated. An acidic soil was more effective at removal of fluoride than were neutral or mildly alkaline soils. The equilibrium amount of fluoride in solution when 0.50 wt% fluorite was added to the soils was substantially greater when the soils had been previously amended with 0.5 %rt% calcite. Overall it can be concluded that soil and rock forming minerals are able to abstract a considerable amount of fluorides from dilute aqueous streams. The fluorides tend to tied up in sparing soluble fluoride compounds and complexes.