The influence of temperature on the bioleaching of copper sulfide ore

摘要

It is known that bioleaching rate of copper sulfide is affected severely during winter in the highly cold regions due to the low temperature. Both the oxidation of copper sulfide and the action of bacteria are decreased. In the present work, the influence of temperature on the bioleaching of typical copper sulfide ore has been investigated. The main purpose of this study was to provide appropriate operating parameters for the industry application and increase the efficiency of the bioleaching of copper mine in the highly cold regions. The bioleaching experiments at the set temperature, 15°C and 30°C were compared. All leaching experiments were carried out in 500 mL conical flasks in shaking table. The parameters of the experiment were set as follows; concentration of pulp was 5% , table frequency was 150 rpm, bacteria inoculum was 10% , mass of bacteria reached 4. 1 x 10 cells/mL and initial pH value was 1. 8. As a result, the strain was identified as Leptospirillum ferriphilum at 15°C , while the strain was identified as Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans at 30°C. After 15 days leaching, the copper recovery ratio reached about 55% and 85% respectively at 15°C and 30°C.