Processes and methods for bio-extraction of trace metals from metal-oxide containing materials
OwnerOliver Gunasekara, Kenneth Nealson +3inventors
InventorsOliver Gunasekara, Kenneth Nealson, Thomas Ishoey, Luis Bernal, Roman Barco
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Provided herein are processes and methods for the bio-extraction of trace metals from a metal-oxide containing starting material (e.g., a metallic ore). The processes and methods may utilize metal-oxide reducing bacteria to electrochemically reduce metal oxides in the ores, thereby freeing valuable trace metals. In preferred embodiments, the processes and methods may utilize metal-oxide reducing bacteria from the group Shewanellaceae and/or the group Geobacteraceae.
Claims35
A method for the extraction of a trace metal from a granular material comprising a metal oxide, the method comprising:
- contacting the granular material with at least one species of metal-oxide reducing bacteria in an aqueous medium, thereby (1) converting at least a portion of the metal oxide to a water soluble metal salt, and (2) releasing at least a portion of the trace metal into the aqueous medium;
- and
- recovering at least a portion of the trace metal from the aqueous medium.
10-12:
- (canceled)
15-16:
- (canceled)
20:
- (canceled)
22-27:
- (canceled)
28-52:
- (canceled)
A method for the extraction of a trace metal from a granular material comprising a metal sulfide, the method comprising:
- (1) contacting the granular material with at least one species of bacteria selected from the group consisting of neutrophilic metal-oxidizing bacteria and sulfur-oxidizing bacteria in an aqueous medium, thereby converting at least a portion of said metal sulfide to a metal oxide;
- (2) subsequently contacting the granular material with at least one species of metal-oxide reducing bacteria in an aqueous medium, thereby (a) converting at least a portion of the metal sulfide to a water soluble metal salt, and (b) releasing at least a portion of the trace metal into the aqueous medium;
- and
- (3) recovering at least a portion of the trace metal from the aqueous medium.
56-57:
- (canceled)
A method for comminuting a starting material comprising a metal oxide, the method comprising:
- at least partially submerging the starting material in an aqueous comminution medium comprising at least one species of metal-oxide reducing bacteria;
- and
- mechanically crushing or vibrating the starting material;
- thereby producing a granular material having a smaller mean particle size than the starting material.
65-67:
- (canceled)
69-78:
- (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.