Effect of carbon dioxide concentration on the bioleaching of a pyrite-arsenopyrite ore concentrate.
The effect of carbon dioxide concentration on the bacterial leaching of a pyrite-arsenopyrite ore concentrate was studied in continuous-flow reactors. Steady-state operation with two feed slurry densities, 6 wt% and 16 wt% solids, were tested for the effect of carbon dioxide concentration. Bacterial growth rates were estimated via the measurement of carbon dioxide consumption rates. Aqueous-phase carbon dioxide concentrations in excess of 10 mg/L were found to be inhibitory to bacterial growth.
Nagpal
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Department of Chemical Engineering, 3290 Merrill Engineering Building, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA.
Dahlstrom
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Oolman
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