Bioleaching of Uranium Ore by a Novel Acidophilic Consortium at Different Acid Concentrations

Abstract:

This study examined bioleaching of uranium ore at different acid concentrations by a novel consortium culture combined with both mesophilic and moderately thermophilic acidophiles containing 4 species of bacteria and 1 species of fungus. Four plastic buckets were set up with uranium minerals at room temperature (about 27-32°C) at different acid concentration (6g/l and 15g/l) for acidification and initial pH of 1.6, 1.8 and 2.1 for bioleaching, respectively. Results showed that from a point of application in commercial uranium bioleaching, higher acidified concentrations of acid can shorten the duration and working cycles of uranium recovery, and a higher initial pH in bioleaching stage can reduce the usage of acid.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volumes 71-73)
• Pages: 457-460
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.71-73.457
• Online since: May 2009
• Authors: Ya Jie Liu, Jiang Li, Xue Li Li, Wei Jun Shi, Zhan Xue Sun, Ling Ling Xu, Jin Hui Liu, Feng Gao
• Keywords: Acid Consumption, Acidification, Bioleaching, Leaching Rate, Uranium Ore

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