Iron Oxidizing Microbes in Acidic Iodide Solutions
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge lies in efficiently producing and recycling iron (III) ions using iron oxidizing microbes in acidic solutions containing iodide ions for copper leaching from copper sulfide ores, as iodine inhibits microbial activity and requires complex batch operations with limited iodine concentration and activated carbon recycling.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a reactor with immobilized iron oxidizing microbes on a ferruginous mineral carrier, such as Jarosite, for continuous oxidation of iron (II) to iron (III) ions, allowing for high microbial concentrations and efficient iron (III) production even at higher iodine levels, combined with activated carbon treatment to manage iodine levels and recycle the leaching solution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If iron oxidizing microbes are used to oxidize iron (II) to iron (III) in acidic solution containing iodide ion, then iron (III) ion production is achieved, but microbial activity is inhibited by iodine formation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes iodine from the reaction system by passing the acidic solution through activated carbon, which adsorbs iodine. This extraction of the harmful substance (iodine) allows the iron oxidizing microbes to function effectively without inhibition, resolving the contradiction between producing iron (III) ions and maintaining microbial activity.
Solution Approach 2:
Activated carbon serves as an intermediary substance that mediates between the iron oxidizing microbes and iodine. It absorbs iodine from the solution, protecting the microbes from direct contact with this harmful substance while allowing the iron oxidation process to continue.
2Reliability
If batch operation with activated carbon is used to manage iodine levels, then microbial proliferation is maintained, but process complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the iron oxidation process and iodine removal process into a single integrated system. The acidic solution flows through activated carbon packed in a column, simultaneously achieving both iron (III) ion production and iodine adsorption, eliminating the need for separate batch operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from batch operation to continuous operation. The acidic solution continuously flows through the activated carbon column, maintaining constant iodine adsorption and iron oxidation throughout the process, thereby simplifying operations and reducing time consumption compared to repeated batch cycles.
3Productivity
If high iodine concentration is present in leaching solution, then copper leaching efficiency is improved, but iron oxidizing microbial activity is inhibited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the function of iodine management by using activated carbon to adsorb iodine selectively from the acidic solution. This allows the system to maintain high iodine concentrations needed for copper leaching while removing excess iodine that would inhibit microbial activity, achieving both objectives simultaneously.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables stable and efficient production of iron (III) ions, promoting continuous microbial proliferation and copper leaching from copper sulfide ores at low costs, overcoming iodine inhibition and batch operation limitations.
Implementation Method 1
a step wherein the iron (II) ion in the acidic solution containing the iodide ion and the iron (II) ion is oxidized into an iron (III) ion
Implementation Method 2
decreasing an amount of the iodine(s) in the post-leaching solution by using activated carbon
Implementation Method 3
using a microbes immobilizing carrier to which iron oxidizing microbes have been attached
Data Source
AI summary
A method for producing an iron (III) ion from the acidic solution containing an iodide ion and an iron (II) ion efficiently and stably is provided. The method including performing the following steps (a)-(b), repeatedly and continuously: (a) a step wherein the iron (II) ion in the acidic solution containing the iodide ion and the iron (II) ion is oxidized into iron (III) ion in a reactor using a microbes immobilizing carrier to which iron oxidizing microbes attached; (b) a step wherein sedimentation of the solution obtained in the step (a) is performed in a sedimentation tank to obtain the solution containing the iron (III) ion and concurrently the sediment of the microbes immobilizing carrier to which the iron oxidizing microbes have attached is recovered and then reintroduced into the reactor in the step (a).