Organic ligands influence leaching kinetics of fixated FGD material

The presence of organic ligands, including oxalate, citrate, maleate and Pahokee peat humic acid (PPHA), influenced the leaching kinetics of fixated flue gas desulfurization (FGD) material in acidic solution (pH 2.9–5.0). In the presence of oxalate, the leaching was inhibited at all pH values examined. XRD and SEM analyses demonstrated that formation of a calcium oxalate mineral phase on the fixated FGD material surface created a surface layer which reduced the extent of leaching. Maleate and PPHA inhibited leaching at pH 2.9, but either promoted, inhibited, or had no effect on leaching, depending on the particular element, at pH 5.0. ATR-FTIR analysis indicated maleate and PPHA formed both inner- and outer-spherically bound species at pH 2.9, whereas at pH 5.0 only outer-sphere complexes seemed evident. These surface species likely inhibited the leaching process at pH 2.9 through a surface blocking mechanism. At pH 5.0, the ligand surface complexes either promoted or inhibited leaching, depending on the element, through a combination of direct and indirect mechanisms. Citrate significantly promoted the leaching process at all pH values examined.