• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.143-151
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• 2020

In the present article, we have analyzed five slags excavated from the Unified Silla period iron smelting site, i.e., location 4-2 of the Inje Bupyeong-ri site, to investigate the iron smelting process. The total Fe content of the slag excavated from the Inje Bupyeong-ri site ranged between 3.65 and 23.78 wt%, lower than that of typical slag, and deoxidation agent of the slag ranged between 65.92 and 88.96 wt%, higher than that of typical slag. These results suggest that the recovery rate of iron was significantly high. Furthermore, cristobalite was detected in most of the samples, and the furnace temperature, estimated by substituting the analyzed data into the FAS and FCS state diagrams, was confirmed as 1,600℃ or more. These results suggest that the operation at the Inje Bupyeong-ri site was performed at a temperature capable of producing cast iron by completely melting the carbon-containing iron. Observation of the microstructure showed that the iron fragments excavated at the Inje Bupyeong-ri site were identified as white cast iron. Steadite from the ternary iron-carbon-phosphorus system was observed in the white cast iron structure. These results show that indirect smelting was performed when the iron smelting by-products were produced. Based on the analysis results, it was confirmed that the Inje Bupyeong-ri site was the indirect smelting site in the Unified Silla period.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.30-44
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• 2011

This review describes the involvement of different microorganisms for the recovery of uranium from the ore. Mainly Acidithiobacillus forrooxidans, Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans and Leptospirillum ferrooxidans are found to be the most widely used bacteria in the bioleaching process of uranium. The bioleaching of uranium generally follows indirect mechanism in which bacteria provide the ferric iron required to oxidize $U^{4+}$. Commercial applications of bioleaching have been incorporated for extracting valuable metals, due to its favorable process economics and reduced environmental problems compared to conventional metal recovery processes such as smelting. At present the uranium is recovered through main bioleaching techniques employed by heap, dump and in situ leaching. Process development has included recognition of the importance of aeration of bioheaps, and improvements in stirred tank reactor design and operation. Concurrently, knowledge of the key microorganisms involved in these processes has advanced, aided by advances in molecular biology to characterize microbial populations.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.3-15
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• 2008

Different toxic wastes are disposed of in our surroundings and these will ultimately threaten the existence of living organisms. Biohydrometallurgy, which includes the processes of bioleaching and bioremediation through the activities of microorganisms such as bacterial or fungal species, is a technology that has the potential to overcome many environmental problems at a reasonable economic cost. Bioleaching were carried out for dissolution of metals from different materials using most important metal mobilizing bacteria such as Thiobacillus ferrooxidans, Thiobacillus thiooxidans and Laptospirillum ferrooxidans. According to the reaction, bioleaching is parted as direct and indirect mechanism. In direct mechanism the bacteria oxidize the sulphides minerals by accepting electron and producing sulphuric acid in leaching media for their growth and metabolism. In other hand the indirect bioleaching is demonstrated as the oxidation of sulphides mineral by the oxidant like $Fe^{3+}$ produced by the iron oxidizing bacteria. Through this process, substantial amount of metal can be recovered from low-grade ores, concentrates, industrial wastes like sludge, tailings, fly ash, slag, electronic scrap, spent batteries and spent catalysts. This may be alternative technology to solve the high deposition of waste, which moves toward a healthy environment and green world.