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Article History

Received: 4 March 2024

Accepted: 21 August 2024

First Online: 15 November 2024

Declarations

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: We are committed to upholding the highest standards of ethical conduct in our research on the extraction of sulfuric acid from acid mine drainage (AMD). In line with the guidelines of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), we ensure the integrity and transparency of our work by adhering to the following ethical principles:We believe that our adherence to these ethical principles ensures the trustworthiness and quality of our research, contributing positively to the scientific community and advancing knowledge in this field.

: Conventional treatments for acid mine drainage (AMD) focus on neutralizing sulfate as a harmful byproduct, often overlooking its potential as a valuable resource. We introduce a novel approach to AMD treatment that prioritizes sulfate recovery and commercial valorization. By employing a three-stage process—AMD pre-treatment, sulfate extraction, and electrolysis of sodium sulfate solution to produce sulfuric acid—we demonstrate a significant shift from traditional practices. Our field experiments show that nano-zirconia hydroxide particles achieve an 80% sulfate adsorption rate under low pH conditions, with an energy consumption of 0.25 kW.h/kg for sulfuric acid generation. Our techno-economic analysis reveals a competitive Levelized Cost of Sulfuric Acid (LCS) of $0.825/kg, underscoring the economic feasibility of this innovative technique. This approach not only mitigates environmental impacts of AMD but also provides a sustainable and economically viable pathway for resource recovery and commercial utilization.