Ferrous ion oxidation by Thiobacillus ferrooxidans immobilized on activated carbon
(1. Zhengzhou Research Institute of CHALCO, Zhengzhou 450041, China;
2. School of Resources Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University,
Changsha 410083, China)
2. School of Resources Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University,
Changsha 410083, China)
Abstract: The immobilization of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans on the activated carbon particles as support matrix was investigated. Cycling batch operation results in the complete oxidation of ferrous iron in 8 d when the modified 9 K medium is set to flow through the mini-bioreactor at a rate of 0.104 L/h at 25 ℃. The oxidation rate of ferrous iron with immobilized T. ferrooxidans is 9.38 g/(L•h). The results show that the immobilization of T. ferrooxidans on activated carbon can improve the rate of oxidation of ferrous iron. The SEM images show that a build-up of cells of T. ferrooxidans and iron precipitates is formed on the surface of activated carbon particles.
Key words: Thiobacillus ferrooxidans; immobilization; activated carbon; biooxidation; precipitate; bioreactor