Process for recovering metals from solution utilizing metalloprotein affinity chromatography

摘要

A process for recovering metals from an aqueous metal-ion bearing solution includes the steps of:PP(a) forming an affinity chromatography matrix by providing a metal bearing protein bound to an insoluble support material to form an immobilized metalloprotein material; PP(b) introducing into the affinity chromatography matrix a quantity of aqueous metal-containing solution having a pH, redox potential or other property properly adjusted to cause ions of a selected metal entrained within the solution to bind to the immobilized metalloprotein material;PP(c) washing the matrix with a first buffer which does not elute the metal ions of interest but does remove other species of metal entrained in the solution; andP P(d) applying a second buffer or solution of appropriate pH, redox potential or other property to the affinity chromatography matrix to elute the metal ions of interest from the immobilized metalloprotein material.