• Proceedings of the IEEK Conference
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• 2001.10a
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• pp.159-164
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• 2001

A novel fluidized-bed reactor was designed and installed for bioleaching in a semi-continuous way, by which a process for bioleaching-cyanidation of Guangxi Jinya refractory gold arsenical concentrate was studied. An arsenic extraction rate reaches 82.5% after 4-day batch biooxidation of the concentrate under the optimized condition of pH 2.0, ftrric ion concentration 6.5g/L and pulp concentration 10%. And leaching rate of gold in the following gold cyanidation is over 90%. The parameters of three series fluid-bed reactors exhibit stability during the semi-continuous bioleaching of the concentrate. Arsenic in the concentrate can be got rid of 91% after 6-day leaching. Even after 4 days, 82% of arsenic extraction rate was still obtained. The recovery rates of gold are 92% and 87.5% respectively in cyaniding the above bioleached residues. The results will provide a base for further commercial production of gold development.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Groundwater Environment
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.120-125
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• 1999

This study was carried out to enhance the efficiency of bioleaching of heavy metals. copper and zinc from the soil samples obtained from mine tailings in Cho-il Mine located in Dan-Yang, Choong-Buk. The effects of medium (9 K) composition on the leaching efficiency were investigated by changing concentrations of the dominant components. phosphorus, nitrogen source. and energy source which are the most important factors governing the growth and multiplication of microorganism. The results of the bioleaching test at different phosphorus concentrations of medium, 0 mM. 3.0 mM, and 6.0 mM showed that leaching efficiency for zinc and copper was 98.8% and 47.5% respectively at 0 mM and decreased at higher phosphorus concentration 6.0 mM. In the bioleaching test of zinc and copper at 0 mM, 45 mM, and 90 mM nitrogen concentrations, the Highest efficiency of 85% and 46.4% was obtained for zinc and cooper respectively at 45 mM and the lower efficiency observed for 90mM nitrogen addition. The zinc and copper leaching with variation of energy source dosage showed the highest removal efficiency, 93% for zinc in the absence of energy source and 46.4% for copper at 160mM energy source.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.585-592
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• 1999

This study was aimed to enhance the Fe(II) oxidation rate using immobilized cells of Thiobacillus ferroxidans. For this purpose, a medium for the minimization of jarosite formation was developed first. Secondly, cell immobilization in celite beads was carried out. And then, repeated-batch and continuous operatons of Fe(II) oxidation by using immobilization cells were performed. In a series of flask cultures, three types of media were tested: media with a much lower salt concentration than that of the 9K medium; media which contained different nitrogen sources from that of the 9K medium, that is $(NH_4)_2HPO_4$, $NH_4Cl and HNO$_3$; media which contained $(NH_4)_2HPO_4$ as nitrogen and phosphate source, but without $K_2HPO_4$ as nitrogen and phosphate source in the 9K medium. As a result, the M16 medium which contained 3 g/L of $(NH_4)_2HPO_4$ as nitrogen and phosphate source was found to be the optimal one. It sustained good cell growth allowing no jarosite formation. In the repeated-batch operations, the rate of Fe(II) oxidation gradually increased to reach a maximum value as the batch was repeated. As a result of repeated-batch operations. a maximum Fe(II) oxidation rate was 2.33 g/L . h. In the continuous operations, the iron oxidation rate could be increased to 2.14 g/L .h at a dilution rate of 0.25 $h^{-1}$ which is greater than the maximum specific growth rate (0.12 $h^{-1}$) of the bacteria.