Bioleaching of Valuable Components from a Pyrometallurgical Final Slag

Abstract:

Pyrometallurgical copper final slag was subjected to leaching by means microbial cultures of three different groups based on their optimum temperature for growth and activity: mesophilic and moderate thermophilic bacteria, and extreme thermophilic archaea. The leaching experiments were performed by the shake-flask technique and in agitated bioreactors under batch and continuous-flow conditions. The effect of the most essential factors (particle size, pulp density, pH, aeration) on this process was studied. The highest rates of extraction of the non-ferrous metals (Cu, Zn, Co) and iron were achieved by means of some archaea but at relatively low pulp densities (5 – 10%). Some moderate thermophilic bacteria were the most efficient at the higher pulp densities (15 – 20 %). The, leaching by some mesophiles at pH 3.0 – 3.5 was also very attractive since it was connected with high extractions of these metals (about 85 – 92% at 20% pulp density), much lower acid consumption and low solubiliation of fayalite which resulted in the production of pregnant solutions suitable for the recovery of the dissolved non-ferrous metals.

• Periodical: Solid State Phenomena (Volume 262)
• Pages: 696-699
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/SSP.262.696
• Online since: August 2017
• Authors: Plamen Georgiev*, Irena Spasova, Veneta Groudeva, Marina Nicolova, Albena Lazarova, Michail Iliev, Ralitca Ilieva, Stoyan N. Groudev
• Keywords: Archaea, Copper Slag, Mesophiles, Moderate Thermophiles

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