Abstract
Bioleaching experiments of phosphorus from low grade
fluorapatite ore containing 8.2% P2O5 and from
fluorapatite concentrate containing 29.8% P2O5 were
carried out in shake flasks. Elemental sulphur was
supplemented as an energy source for acid generation.
Mixed and pure acidophilic bacterial cultures consisting
of iron- and/or sulphur-oxidizing bacteria
Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans, A. thiooxidans and
Leptospirillum ferrooxidans were used in the experiments.
These acidophiles are commonly used in bioleaching of
sulphide minerals, but their application on phosphorus
bioleaching has been limited. Phosphorus leaching was
shown to be a pH-dependant phenomenon. Phosphorus
leaching yields of up to 97% and 28% were obtained in 3
weeks for low grade fluorapatite ore and concentrate,
respectively. These results indicate a potential for
applying bioleaching for phosphorus extraction from low
grade materials.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 266-269 |
| Journal | Advanced Materials Research |
| Volume | 825 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2013 |
| MoE publication type | A1 Journal article-refereed |
| Event | 20th International Biohydrometallurgy Symposium, IBS 2013 - Antofagasta, Chile Duration: 8 Oct 2013 → 11 Oct 2013 Conference number: 20 |
Keywords
- acidophilic bacteria
- bioleaching
- phosphorus