Author/Authors :
Ahmadi, Saeb Chemical Engineering Department - Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran , Vafaie Sefti, Mohsen Chemical Engineering Department - Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran , Shadman, Mohammad Mahdi Chemical Engineering Department - Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran , Azimi Dijvejin, Zahra Chemical Engineering Department - Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran , Hossini, Hoshyar Department of Environmental Health Engineering - Faculty of Health - Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
Abstract :
The main objective of this work was to assess the optimization of Fe and Cu bioleaching from converter slag using Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans. Important parameters that contribute to the bioleaching process include initial pH, initial Fe2+ concentration and pulp density. In order to optimize these parameters, the response surface methodology (RSM) was applied. The maximum simultaneous Fe and Cu recovery yields were 95% and 100%, respectively. The optimum conditions were initial pH 1.8, initial density 1.4 g/100 mL and initial Fe2+ 7.3 g/L. The comparison between chemical leaching and bioleaching results showed that bioleaching improved the recovery yields of Fe and Cu by 26% and 33%, respectively. The modified shrinking core model was used to determine the ratelimiting step of the process. It was found that diffusion through the product layer and chemical reaction are the rate controlling steps.
Keywords :
Bioleaching , Converter slag , Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans , Optimization , Kinetic
