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US 2015/0027901 A1Published application
Biomining enhancement method
OwnerMarcus G. Theodore, Terry R. Gonginventors
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Abstract
A biomining enhancement method for metal sulfide ores using sulfurous acid for microbial leaching of heavy metals into solution for subsequent removal via electro winning, ion exchange, or precipitation with alkaline and nutrient reagents for filtration removal.
Claims10
A biomining enhancement method for metal sulfide ores comprising:
- a. applying sufficient sulfurous acid, bisulfites/sulfites, and free SO2 to the metal sulfide ores to provide electron donors and adjust the pH to that required for microbial leaching of the metal sulfide ores to release metal ions into solution, and
- b. removing the metal ions from solution using electrolysis, ion exchange, and electro winning methods to produce metals.
A biomining enhancement method for metal sulfide ores comprising:
- a. applying sufficient sulfurous acid, bisulfites/sulfites, and free SO2 to the metal sulfide ores to provide electron donors and adjust the pH required for microbial leaching of metal sulfide ores to release metal ions into solution,
- c. adding sufficient complexing agents to the water to precipitate heavy metals for separation, and
- d. removing the metal ions from solution using electrolysis to produce metals.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.