Abstract: A method for removing metal contaminate from substrate includes four subsystems for removing larger uncontaminated particles by sizing classifying and washing procedures, microfiltration and ion-exchange processing of the overflow stream of water and water-borne contaminants, polishing of the microfiltrate through a bottom-fed clear-well extraction vessel for subsequent return as uncontaminated water and metallurgical furnace processing of the ion-exchange, clear-well extraction vessel polishing and optionally to selectively recover individual metal species from the contaminated flow.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for purifying contaminated water includes four subsystems for removing undissolved solids, precipitation and flocculation of dissolved solids, polishing or cation removal of dissolved solids, and metallurgical furnace treatment of the separated contaminants along with gas cleaning. A unique high density inorganic adsorbent, produced during the reducing atmosphere Waelz Kiln processing of iron, zinc, lead and cadmium rich Electric Arc Furnace dust, is used to raise the pH level of the contaminated water in the precipitation procedure and again as an adsorbent filter bed in a clear well extraction vessel used in the polishing step.