Biological Oxidation of Sulfide Raw Material Using a Culture of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans under Various Conditions of Leaching

摘要

Major parameters of the first stage of leaching of a copper-zinc sulfide product (raw material) by a culture of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans have been studied, including the effects of solid-phase concentration, Fe~(2+) and Fe~(3+) ions, pH, and the intensity of mixing. The first stage of leaching of the sulfide raw material is optimum under the following conditions: pH of the original leaching solution equal to 1.6; Fe~(3+) concentration of the order of 10 g/l; and vigorous mixing of the suspension at solid-phase concentrations of 30-35%. A theoretical substantiation of the observed dependences is proposed.