title: Dissolution kinetics of spent petroleum catalyst using sulfur oxidizing acidophilic microorganisms.
abstract: Bioleaching studies of spent petroleum catalyst were carried out using sulfur oxidizing, Acidithiobacillus species. Leaching studies were carried out in two-stage, in the first stage bacteria were grown and culture filtrate was used in the second stage for leaching purpose. XRD analysis of spent petroleum catalyst showed oxides of V, Fe and Al and sulfides of Mo and Ni. The leaching kinetics followed dual rate, initial faster followed by slower rate and equilibrium could be achieved within 7 days. The leaching rate of Ni and V were high compared to Mo. The low Mo leaching rate may be either due to formation of impervious sulfur layer or refractoriness of sulfides or both. The leaching kinetics followed 1st order rate. Using leaching kinetics, rate equations for dissolution process for different metal ions were evaluated. The rate determining step observed to be pore diffusion controlled.
authors.affiliation: Minerals and Material Processing Division, Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Debaraj
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mishra
authors.forename: Jong G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Ahn
authors.forename: Dong J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Roychaudhury
authors.forename: David E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Ralph
mesh_terms: D042763:Acidithiobacillus / Q000378:metabolism*; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D002384:Catalysis; D007700:Kinetics; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D010578:Petroleum; D013455:Sulfur / Q000378:metabolism*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D019216:Metals, Heavy; D010578:Petroleum; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D013455:Sulfur