Evaluation the impact of particle size and pulp density on the kinetic of chalcopyrite concentrates bioleaching

Document Type : Research paper

Abstract

Low dissolution rate of chalcopyrite as the main copper sulfide minerals is known as the main limiting problem for industrial application of this technology. Low dissolution rate of the chalcopyrite is the main limiting issue to industrialize microbial leaching of such a recalcitrant mineral. In the agitated reactors, the disslution rate of chalcopyrite could be influenced by the different parameters such as the pulp density and particle size. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to evaluate the role of pulp density and particle size on the kinetics and efficiency of bioleaching of chalcopyrite concentrate, using moderate thermophilic bacteria isolated from Sarcheshmeh copper complex.
From the results of this study, it can be pointed out that the pulp viscosity influenced by the pulp density and particle size could be increased with reduction of the particle size and the increased pulp density. Both parameters influence the dissolution rate and the copper recovery. Under optimal conditions (10% solid content and average particle size of 16 microns), more than 88% of copper could be bioleached.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

1.             Dreisinger. D.B., Copper .W.C., Young. S.K,  ‎,2007.  ‎“Silver-catalyzed bioleaching of low-grade copper ores. Part 1 : Shake flasks tests” ‎. Hydrometallurgy‎,‎88‎: p. ‎3-18‎.
2.             Devasia, P., Natarajan, K.A‎,2004. ‎“Bacteria leaching biotechnology in the mining industry”‎.: p. 40-49.
3.             Petersen., J., Dixon., D.G‎,2002. ‎“Thermophilic heap leaching of a chalcopyrite concentrate”‎. Minerals engineering‎, 15: p. ‎777-785‎.
4.         Rawlings,.,Dew., Plessis.‎,2003 Biomineralization of metal-containing ores and concentrates‎.Trends in biotechnology‎,vol.21‎.
5.             Dixon.‎, P.a.D.G., 2004, GEOCOAT Heap leaching of copper sulphide concentrates using thermophile ‎bacteria‎. ‎‎.
6.             Nemati, M., Harrison,S.T.L. 2000, "Effect of solid loading on thermophilic bioleaching of sulfide minerals". Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology,. 75(7): p. 526-532.
7.             Ayata., S., Yildiran., H., 2001‎, "A novel technique for silver extraction from silver sulphide ore"‎. Turk JChem‎, vol.25‎: p. ‎187-191‎.
8.             Ahmadi.A, Schaffie.M, Petersen.J, Schippers.A, Ranjbar.M, 2011,"Conventional and electrochemical bioleaching of chalcopyrite concentrates by moderately thermophilic bacteria at high pulp density". Hydrometallurgy,. 106: p. 84–92.
9.             Ahmadi.A, , Ranjbar.M, Schaffi.M, 2012, "Catalytic effect of pyrite on the leaching of chalcopyrite concentrates in chemical, biological and electrobiochemical systems". Minerals Engineering,. 34: p. 11–18.
10.           Vakylabad, A.B., 2011," A comparison of bioleaching ability of mesophilic and moderately thermophilic culture on copper bioleaching from flotation concentrate and smelter dus"t. International Journal of Mineral Processing,. 101: p. 94–99.
11.           Astudillo.C, 2008,"Adaptation of Sulfolobus metallicus to high pulp densities in the biooxidation of a flotation gold concentrate". Hydrometallurgy,. 92: p. 11–15.
12.           Acevedo.F, 2004 , "Optimization of pulp density and particle size in the biooxidation of a pyritic gold concentrate by Sulfolobus metallicusq". World Journal of Microbiology & Biotechnology,. 20: p. 865–869.
13.           Zhaohui Guo , L.Z., Yi Cheng, Xiyuan Xiao, Fengkai Pan, Kaiqi Jiang, 2010, "Effects of pH, pulp density and particle size on solubilization of metals from a Pb/Zn smelting slag using indigenous moderate thermophilic bacteria". Hydrometallurgy,. 104: p. 25–31.
14.           Witne, J.Y. and C.V. Phillips, 2001, "Bioleaching of Ok Tedi copper concentrate in oxygen- and carbon dioxide-enriched air". Minerals Engineering,. 14(1): p. 25-48.
15.           Rikmanis, M., Berzinš.A, and Viesturs.U, 2007, "Excess turbulence as a cause of turbohypobiosis in cultivation of microorganisms". Central European Journal of Biology,. 2(4): p. 481-501.
16.           Derksen, J.J., 2000, "Oxygen transfer in agitated silica and pyrite slurries". Minerals Engineering,. 13(1): p. 25-36.
17.           Morin, D.H.R. , d'Hugues.P, 2007, "Bioleaching of a Cobalt-Containing Pyrite in Stirred Reactors: a Case Study from Laboratory Scale to Industrial Application, in Biomining", D.E. Rawlings and D.B. Johnson, Editors., Springer Berlin Heidelberg: Berlin, Heidelberg. p. 35-55.
18.           Deveci, H., 2004, "Effect of particle size and shape of solids on the viability of acidophilic bacteria during mixing in stirred tank reactors". Hydrometallurgy,. 71(3): p. 385-396.
19.           Gavin C. Jones , K.C.C., Robert P. van Hille, Susan T.L. Harrison, 2011, "The generation of toxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) from mechanically activated sulphide concentrates and its effect on thermophilic bioleaching". Minerals Engineering,. 24: p. 1198–1208.
20.           Acevedo, f., Gentina, J, C., 1989, "process engineering aspect of the bioleaching of copper ores". Bioprocess Engineering,. 4: p. 223-229.
21.           Lotfalian.M,. Fazaelipoor.M, Schaffie.M, Manafi.Z, 2015, "Continuous Bioleaching of Chalcopyritic Concentrate at High Pulp Density". Geomicrobiology Journal,. 32: p. 42–49.
22.           Liu Meilin, R.R., Wen Jiankang,Wang Dianzuo, 2007, "Effect of Bacteria on Viscosities of Mineral Bio-leaching Solutions. "Chinese Journal of Rare Metals,.
23.           DOETSCH, W.R.S.A.R.N., 1974, "Effect of Viscosity on Bacterial Motility". Journal of Bactriology,. 117: p. 696-701.
24.           Liu.M.L, Wen. R.M.R., J. K., Wang. D. Z., 2007, "Investigation of Viscosity and Thermodynamic Properties on the Bioleaching Solution with and without Mesophilic Bacteria". Advanced Materials Research,. 20-21: p. 149-151.
Journal of Separation Science and Engineering
Volume 9, Issue 2
February 2018
Pages 95-104

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics