Bio-Electrochemical Recovery of Copper from Dilute Acidic Solutions as a Function of External Resistance, Copper and Iron Concentrations

Abstract

Bioelectrochemical systems provide a promising tool for the copper recovery from the heap leaching solutions which usually contain low copper and high iron concentrations. In this study, the role of copper and ferrous ion concentrations, and external resistance in the removal of synthetic sulfuric acid solutions by a lab-scale Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) was investigated and good results were obtained in the removal of copper.