Thermophilic bioleaching of spent petroleum refinery catalyst using Sulfolobus metallicus

Canadian Metallurgical Quarterly, August 24, 2012
Thermophilic bioleaching of spent petroleum refinery catalyst using Sulfolobus metallicus
D.-J. Kim1; H. Srichandan2; C. S. Gahan3; S.-W. Lee4
1: Mineral Resource Research Division, Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM), Gwahang-no 92, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 305–350, Korea
2: Mineral Resource Research Division, Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM), Gwahang-no 92, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 305–350, Korea; and Nano Engineering Division, School of Engineering, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 305–764, Korea
3: Mineral Resource Research Division, Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM), Gwahang-no 92, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 305–350, Korea; and SRM Research Institute, SRM University, Kattankulathur-603 203, Kancheepuram district, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
4: Nano Engineering Division, School of Engineering, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 305–764, Korea
Abstract:
Describes results of a study of the thermophilic bioleaching of spent catalyst with different size fractions in modified Kelly medium with and without iron supplement using Sulfolobus metallicus.  The results indicate Ni and Al recovery ranging from 94 to 97% and 54 to 59% respectively, with a lower recovery of Mo and V.
The difference in the leaching yield in iron free and iron supplemented growth medium at all size fractions did not show much difference stating iron free modified Kelly medium to be a suitable growth medium for bioleaching of spent catalyst.  The leaching yield obtained from different size fractions, however, suggested that the particle size >212 μm could be conducive for leaching of desired metal values. The redox potential profile during the bioleaching experiments and planktonic cell count ranging from 10⁶ to 10⁸ cells mL⁻¹ showed a luxuriant growth performance of the microorganisms in iron free modified Kelly medium.
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