Includes bibliographical references (leaves 81-87). / Microbial oxidation rates catalysed by the acidophilic micro-organisms mediating mesophilic and thermophilic bioleaching of mineral sulphides have been well characterised under conditions typical of active tank leaching processes in the mineral industry. However, with the increasing need to beneficiate low grade ores, heap bioleaching processes are increasingly of interest. The physicochemical conditions within the heap bioleach differ considerably from the tank leaching system in terms of typical iron concentration, presence of dissolved salts and dissolved gases. This study focuses particularly on the kinetic description of the microbial ferrous oxidation rate and the microbial growth rate of the Leptospirillum species under conditions where the supply of carbon dioxide is limited.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:uct/oai:localhost:11427/11477 |
| Date | January 2010 |
| Creators | Naik, Linus |
| Contributors | Harrison, STL, Petersen, Jochen |
| Publisher | University of Cape Town, Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, Centre for Bioprocess Engineering Research |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Master Thesis, Masters, MSc |
| Format | application/pdf |
Page generated in 0.002 seconds