Bacterial leaching of uranium ores - a review
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Date
1975-11
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Australian Atomic Energy Commission
Abstract
The bacterial leaching of uranium ores involves the bacterially catalysed oxidation of associated pyrite to sulphuric acid and Pe3+ by autotrophic bacteria and the leaching of the uranium by the resulting acidic, oxidising solution. Industrial application has been limited to Thiobacillus thiooxidans and Thiobacillus ferrooxidans at pH 2 to 3, and examples of these are described. The bacterial catalysis can be improved with nutrients or prevented with poisons. The kinetics of leaching are controlled by the bed depth, particle size, percolation rate, mineralogy and temperature. Current work is aimed at quantitatively defining the parameters controlling the kinetics and extending the method to alkaline conditions with other autotrophic bacteria.
Description
Keywords
Bacteria, Uranium ores, Leaching, Chemical reaction kinetics
Citation
Lowson, R. T. (1975). Bacterial leaching of uranium ores - a review. (AAEC/E356). Lucas Heights, NSW: Australian Atomic Energy Commission.