Optimization of Microbial Leaching of Base Metals from a South African Sulfidic Nickel Ore Concentrate by Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans

X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that pentlandite and chalcopyrite were the prominent mineral phases in a South African sulfidic nickel ore concentrate that hosted nickel and copper. Cobalt was found to be closely associated with the nickel-bearing pentlandite phase of the ore sample. Microbial b...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Geomicrobiology journal 2018-07, Vol.35 (6), p.447-459
Main Authors: Behera, S. K., Manjaiah, M., Sekar, S., Panda, S. K., Mavumengwana, V., Mulaba-Bafubiandi, A. F.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Bacterial leaching
Chalcopyrite
Cobalt
Concentrates (ores)
Copper
Copper ores
Culture media
Density
Heavy metals
Incubators
Inoculum
Leaching
Mathematical models
Metals
Nickel
Nickel ores
Optimization
Particle size
Pentlandite
pH effects
Probability theory
Residence time
Residential density
Shaking
Variance analysis
X-ray diffraction
X-ray diffraction analysis
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Summary:X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that pentlandite and chalcopyrite were the prominent mineral phases in a South African sulfidic nickel ore concentrate that hosted nickel and copper. Cobalt was found to be closely associated with the nickel-bearing pentlandite phase of the ore sample. Microbial batch leaching experiments designed according to a central composite design model were run for 15 days in a shaking incubator (150 rpm) at a constant temperature (30°C) with variations in experimental parameters like ore pulp density, particle size, bacterial inoculum, pH of the culture medium, and residence time. Quadratic mathematical models were developed to predict the rate of metal extractions. The suitability of the model of the microbial leaching process was confirmed from normal probability curves. An analysis of variance indicated that the residence time, pulp density of the ore, and particle size were the most significant factors. Bacterial inoculum size hardly showed any effect on the total metal extractions. Maximum nickel (82%), cobalt (76%) and copper (25.6%) extractions were achieved under optimum conditions, operated for 15 days at pulp density of 2% and particle size of -75 µm at pH 1.5.
ISSN:0149-0451
1521-0529
DOI:10.1080/01490451.2017.1326543