Effect of EDTA on As and Se leaching from different types of coal fly ashes was studied at a liquid-to-solid ratio (L/S) of 10 using batch methods. Results show that EDTA can significantly enhance the leaching of As, Se, and other 15 trace elements from low-Ca fly ashes. When applying 50 mM EDTA to low-Ca ash, the leaching of As was independent of pH, but the leaching of Se slightly increased with the increase of pH; about 75% As and 100% Se leached out under the natural pH conditions. For high-Ca ashes, however, there is no correlation, and the EDTA effect is much weaker than that for the low-Ca ashes. The EDTA extraction could be a convenient alternative for assessing the total leachable As and Se, and to remediate low-Ca fly ash for the removal of As and Se, and other trace elements of interest.

EDTA extraction of As and Se from coal fly ash

242nd National Meeting (2011)

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