EP0004431A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bacterial leaching of minerals
Assignee: Solvay Interox Ltd
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Filing: 1979-03-12
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Granted: —
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Expires: 1999-03-12
Abstract
Abstract In the leaching of minerals, especially ferrous sulphide ores, it is known that certain bacteria, especially Thiobacillus, can oxidise the ore to ferric sulphate. The ferric ions can convert other metal species to the soluble state. The invention proposes supplying oxygen to these bacteria by supplying it in combined form, e.g. as hydrogen peroxide, a per compound or a peroxygen addition compound.
Inventors
- 👤 Clifford Archibald Crampton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 00:12
CPC Classifications
C; C22; C22B; C22B3/00; C22B3/18; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P10/00; Y02P10/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
23 words
A process for the bacterial leaching of ores to extracting metal values therefrom,wherein oxygen is supplied to the bacteria in available combined form.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process for the bacterial leaching of ores to extracting metal values therefrom,wherein oxygen is supplied to the bacteria in available combined form.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the available combined oxygen is supplied in solution form.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process as claimed in claim 2 wherein the available combined oxygen is supplied as hydrogen peroxide solution.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the available combined oxygen is supplied in solid form.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A process as claimed in claim 4, wherein the available combined oxygen, is supplied as a percompound.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A process as claimed in claim 4 wherein the available combined oxygen is supplied as a peroxide addition compound.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A process as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the leaching is effected in the presence of compounds of iron and sulphur and under acid conditions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A process as claimed in claim 7 wherein the sulphur is present as sulphate and the bacteria is Thiobacillus ferro-oxidans.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A process as claimed in claim 8 wherein nitrogen, phosphorous and carbon dioxide are supplied as nutrients for the bacteria.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
A process as claimed in claim 7, wherein the sulphur is present as sulphide and the bacteria is Thiobacillus sp.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
A process as claimed in claim 10 wherein nitrogen, phosphorous and yeast are supplied as nutrients for the bacteria.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
A process as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the leaching is carried out at temperature in the range of from 20°C to 70°C.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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