OBJECTIVE:
The objective of the project was to examine and evaluate the use of scrap iron to provide iron addition to source waters naturally low in this element in order to improve arsenic removal. This project was an exploratory study before proceeding to the current arsenic research project.

RESEARCHERS:
H. Abdulkadir, C. Bradley, N. de Montarnal, Dr. Dena McMartin (advisory), Ann Gottinger (supervisory)

BACKGROUND:
The Mainstream system was modified to include an “iron-contacting tank” which contained scrap iron pieces. Bench-scale testing included experimentation with the placement of the additional component in the treatment train, the amount of iron used, placement of the iron in the tank and the effect of adding aeration. A short field study took place at the end of the project where a modified Mainstream treatment trailer was taken to a site near Regina and operated to examine the performance on authentic arsenic-laden raw water.

CONCLUSIONS:
The results of the study indicated that using scrap iron to increase the iron concentration of the raw water could improve arsenic removal. The critical parameters and potential challenges to removal by this method were identified.

University of Regina Engineering Team

The "iron-contacting tank". Scrap iron placed on a diffuser plate.

400 gallon per day Mainstream system
installed in a treatment trailer.

Scrap iron pieces.