A non-fouling online method for monitoring precipitation of metal ions in mine waters

Abstract Heavy metal pollution has become a serious environmental problem today. Chemical precipitation is a basic technology used for mine water treatment. Raising the pH with the use of alkaline agents causes certain dissolved metals to precipitate as hydroxides. pH instruments are normally applied to controlling this process, although they cause continual problems with cleaning. In this paper, an alternative, non-fouling method for monitoring this process is presented.