Research Expertise, Finch, Jim, Enviro-Access
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Research Expertise

Identification

Finch, Jim
McGill University
Department of Mining, Metals and Metallurgical Engineering
3450 University Street
Montreal, QC
H3A 2A7
Telephone: (514) 398-4351
Fax: (514) 398-4492
jfinch@po-box.mcgill.ca

Research expertise

Water, Waste

 
Research areas


James Finch works on resource metal recovery from acid mine drainage by different techniques and industrial waste water treatment. He is also interested in exploring flotation columns for de-inking recycled paper pulp.

 
Previous environmental projects

 
Previous collaboration


Mining and metallurgical companies

Available equipment

Ion chromatograph
Ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer
Auto-titrator
Atomic absorption spectroscope, manual and computer controlled; FTIR spectroscope

Current research projects

1. Resourse recovery from acid mine drainage

Person(s) in charge : Finch, James
Description : Work has focused on metal recovery from the sludge generated in the current AMD treatment option (lime treatment). Two approaches are being explored. A. Selective extraction using amine complexing agents (e.g., diethylenetriamine, DETA) and subsequent electrowinning of the metal from the M-DETA complex to recycle the DETA. This was demonstrated for copper and is now being extended to nickel. B. Selective leaching with acid and precipitation using ozone. This process is with particular application to nickel.}
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2. Resource recovery from smelter residues

Person(s) in charge : Finch, James
Description : Smelter residues contain metals as sulphates, oxides and ferrites. Flotation processes are being extended to these materials. Selective flotation of lead sulphate in one case and nickel oxide in another using varieties of conventional reagents has been demonstrated.}
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3. Column flotation applied to de-inking recycled paper

Person(s) in charge : Finch, James
Description : Flotation using columns is shown to be quite straightforward, for one thing meaning that no special equipment is required (despite the variety of machines being promoted for this task). The remaining problems are mechanical: a reliable bubble generating system is needed (the common issue with columns); and a scale up procedure needs to be adopted. Both aspects are being researched.}
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Interest in enventual collaboration

Industries or organizations : mining industries, pulp and paper industries
Types of collaboration : R&D projects

Potential research areas

Acid Mine Drainage : prevention
Acid Mine Drainage : use as a coagulant or source of ferric coagulant
Modified : 2006-09-01

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