“Treating waste with waste: the potential for aluminum industry waste (Bauxite Residue – “Red Mud”) as an environmentally sustainable remediation material”

Bauxite residue, known as “red mud,” is a major solid waste during alumina extraction from bauxite (alumina is further processed to produce aluminum). Red mud has attracted water treatment engineers due to its high adsorptive capability, and it has shown promise in remediating a wide range of industrial effluents. In this Mitacs Accelerate project, the interns will determine the adsorptive performance of modified bauxite residue (calcined) in removing major contaminants found in oil sands processed water. This project is in partnership with GRÖN Holding Inc. who has recently streamlined a process of treating highly alkaline red mud waste to a usable environmental remediation material. Overall, we believe that “treating waste with waste” is an efficient remediation option as it incorporates a sustainable approach for the simultaneous treatment of multiple waste streams.

Faculty Supervisor:

Maricor Arlos

Student:

Partner:

GRÖN Holding Corp.

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services

University:

University of Alberta

Program: