title: Simultaneous recovery of Ni and Cu from computer-printed circuit boards using bioleaching: statistical evaluation and optimization.
abstract: Computer printed circuit boards (CPCBs) have a rich metal content and are produced in high volume, making them an important component of electronic waste. The present study used a pure culture of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans to leach Cu and Ni from CPCBs waste. The adaptation phase began at 1g/l CPCBs powder with 10% inoculation and final pulp density was reached at 20g/l after about 80d. Four effective factors including initial pH, particle size, pulp density, and initial Fe(3+) concentration were optimized to achieve maximum simultaneous recovery of Cu and Ni. Their interactions were also identified using central composite design in response surface methodology. The suggested optimal conditions were initial pH 3, initial Fe(3+) 8.4g/l, pulp density 20g/l and particle size 95μm. Nearly 100% of Cu and Ni were simultaneously recovered under optimum conditions. Finally, bacterial growth characteristics versus time at optimum conditions were plotted.
authors.affiliation: Biotechnology Group, Chemical Engineering Department, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arshadi
authors.affiliation: Biotechnology Group, Chemical Engineering Department, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: mousavi_m@modares.ac.ir.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Mousavi
mesh_terms: D042763:Acidithiobacillus / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D003201:Computers; D003300:Copper / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D059029:Electronic Waste; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008670:Metals; D009532:Nickel / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D008670:Metals; D003300:Copper; D009532:Nickel
keywords: Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans; Bioleaching; CPCBs waste; Optimization; Response surface methodology