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Controlled redox potential microbiological leaching of chalcopyrite

University of British Columbia

Leaching of chalcopyrite by Thiobacillus ferrooxidans under standard microbiological leaching conditions resulted in simultaneous solubilization of copper, iron and sulfur. The sulfide portion was oxidized preferentially over iron in solution suggesting a direct attack mechanism by the bacteria on the mineral particles. Copper extractions were low, 29-44%, with maximum specific copper extraction rates of the order of 0.001-0.006 h⁻¹ and cell yields per unit of copper released 4-43mg TOC/mg Cu. Leaching under redox-controlled conditions required a minimum pulp density, ca. 200 g/1, to result in elemental sulfur production. Some unknown factor, resulting from biological leaching activity under standard conditions and transferred with the liquid phase of the inoculum, was needed for the leach to occur under redox-controlled conditions. Copper extractions of 44-100% were achieved. Maximum specific copper extraction rates were of the order of 0.002-0.007 h⁻¹ with cell yield per unit of copper released of the order of 0.12-3.32mg TOC/g Cu for batch cultures. Ferrous iron in solution appeared to be the energy source for cell growth under redox-controlled conditions. The cells' sulfide oxidizing capacity seemed to be inhibited at the metabolic regulation level and not at the enzyme synthesis level. Cells growing under the standard conditions underwent a lag phase, upon transfer to the redox-controlled medium. During this lag phase low metal solubilization rates and low S⁰ production occurred, but when cell growth started, the leaching rates increased and the mineral dissolved rapidly. Electron diffraction X-ray analyses were carried out to investigate the role of silver in the controlled-redox leaching. No silver was observed to be on the surface of the chalcopyrite particles before or after the initial activation stage of the controlled-redox process. Silver deposits were observed after many hours of leaching. A mathematical model to describe the kinetics of microbial leaching, using a shrinking particle concept as its basis, was developed. When tested against data from the literature for leaching of Zinc from ZnS concentrate it was able to predict particle size as a function of leach time. It also gave reasonable predictions of particle size as a function of leach time for standard leaching of chalcopyrite but failed to predict accurate values for particle size as a function of leach time for the controlled-redox process.

Text

2010-09-22

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http://hdl.handle.net/2429/28627

Chemical and Biological Engineering

University of British Columbia

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