Integration of microbial and chemical processing for a sustainable metallurgy

Abstract

Bioprocessing for the recovery of metal from divergent resources using the microbial strategy has emerged as a green technology in metallurgical operations. The limitations to maintain the ideal condition for bacterial growth with slow kinetics, however, have been considered as major obstacles to bioprocessing being implemented more widely. This can be overcome by integrating the microbes with a chemical processing route. The available reports on recent developments in hybrid bio‐chemical processing of both primary and secondary resources have presented promising results, exhibiting the potential for use in large‐scale metallurgy. In this context, reviewing the factors of the hybrid process would benefit from knowledge acquired in fundamental studies. The present review focuses on bio‐chemical process integration using eco‐friendly design tools for treating the difficult to extract resources and complex spent materials as well. Furthermore, the potential of hybrid technology has been evaluated by establishing an economic model as a case study which encompasses features of economic development, environmental consideration and societal matters to achieve process sustainability. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry

Specific mechanism of Acidithiobacillus caldus extracellular polymeric substances in the bioleaching of copper-bearing sulfide ore

“…The “direct contact” mechanism was performed by the attached cells. During the sulfur oxidation process, sulfur colloids were oxidized to various intermediate compounds such as [9, 15]. In addition, redundant sulfur gathered as micro-particles (S 8 ) and formed a barrier layer on the ore, blocking access to its surface.…”

Active permanent greening – a new slope greening technology based on mineral solubilizing microorganisms

“…( Uroz et al., 2009 ; Olsson-Francis et al., 2010 ; Rahimzadeh et al., 2015 ; Ahmad et al., 2016 ; Wang et al., 2020 ) In addition, mineral solubilizing microorganisms can improve soil structure and nutrient conditions ( Spaepen and Vanderleyden, 2011 ; Zhu et al., 2014 ; Ribeiro et al., 2020 ), artificially creating soils with high sub-agglomerate structure and inhabiting various soil critters and microorganisms, simulating natural habitats. At present, mineral solubilizing microorganisms have many applications in heavy metal remediation( Mishra et al., 2017 ; Yin et al., 2019 ; Fakhar et al., 2020 ) and microbial metallurgy( Behera and Mulaba-Bafubiandi, 2016 ; Ilyas et al., 2018 ; Priya and Hait, 2020 ), but there is little research in slope engineering management. In this study, MSMs could significantly increase the effective calcium, magnesium, and potassium ion contents of the soil, which is consistent with previous findings ( Villarreal Sanchez et al., 2018 ; Soumare et al., 2022 ).…”

Investigation of chalcopyrite removal from low-grade molybdenite using response surface methodology and its effect on molybdenum trioxide morphology by roasting

“…9 Chalcopyrite, a hard-to-leach mineral in acidic solutions, is typically the primary copper impurity in molybdenite concentrates. 10,11 In leaching processes, secondary copper suldes like covellite (CuS) and chalcocite (Cu 2 S) dissolve more quickly than chalcopyrite. [12][13][14] A molybdenite concentrate's market value drastically decreases when chalcopyrite is present.…”