Kinetic modeling of the bioleaching process of iron removal from kaolin

摘要

A kinetic model was developed to assess the influence of batch cultivation of Aspergillus niger on the bioleaching of iron from kaolin. A simple model was proposed using the logistic equation for growth, and the Luedeking-Piret equations for iron removal, acid formation and sucrose consumption. The performance of the model was compared against that obtained by the empirically experimental data. The model provides a reasonable description for each parameter during the growth phase. The experimental results also suggest that the product formation depends upon both the instantaneous biomass concentration, and growth rate.