Microbial attachment to sulfide minerals in a bioleach environment

Simple item page
dc.contributor.advisorHarrison, STLen_ZA
dc.contributor.advisorVan Hille, Roben_ZA
dc.contributor.authorAfrica, Cindy-Jadeen_ZA
dc.date.accessioned2014-09-26T07:20:24Z
dc.date.available2014-09-26T07:20:24Z
dc.date.issued2009en_ZA
dc.descriptionIncludes bibliographical references (leaves 119-125).en_ZA
dc.description.abstractThis research pertains to bioleaching of copper containing ores with particular reference to the copper sulfide mineral chalcopyrite (CuFeS₂). While it is focused on heap bioleaching, it has applications to stirred tank bioleaching operations. Industrial heap bioleaching offers opportunities for processing of low grade ores but poses process operational challenges. These challenges include ineffective heap inoculation, a lag period before effective leaching commences and poor heap performance. These aspects are attributed to several contributing factors, such as heap construction, engineering and microbial activity. To date little attention has been paid to colonisation as a means of mitigating these challenges and effectively improving process operation. Current literature regarding microbial attachment to sulfide minerals is limited to pure culture studies using iron oxidising mesophiles, and the use of sulfide mineral concentrates. In a heap environment, mineral dissolution is accelerated through the presence of a mixed consortium of microbial species; with the contribution of each not yet fully understood. In addition, gangue minerals comprise the bulk of the minerals present and thus cannot be neglected when attempting to better understand microbial attachment and the role of micro-organisms in a heap environment. The predominant methodology employed to study microbial attachment in a bioleach context has used batch agitated systems (shake flasks). This may not adequately represent attachment under heap-like fluid dynamics. The idea of this project stemmed from a requirement to contribute to the mitigation of challenges faced by industry through addressing the aforementioned gaps prevailing in literature and improving understanding of the role of microbial attachment and colonisation under conditions simulating a heap. The aim of this study was to investigate attachment of three bioleach micro-organisms (A. ferrooxidans, L. ferriphilum and S. metallicus)to complex, sulfide-containing minerals ores in a bioleach environment using methodologies simulating heap-like conditions.en_ZA
dc.identifier.apacitationAfrica, C. (2009). <i>Microbial attachment to sulfide minerals in a bioleach environment</i>. (Thesis). University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment ,Centre for Bioprocess Engineering Research. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/11427/7702en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationAfrica, Cindy-Jade. <i>"Microbial attachment to sulfide minerals in a bioleach environment."</i> Thesis., University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment ,Centre for Bioprocess Engineering Research, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/7702en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationAfrica, C. 2009. Microbial attachment to sulfide minerals in a bioleach environment. University of Cape Town.en_ZA
dc.identifier.risTY - Thesis / Dissertation AU - Africa, Cindy-Jade AB - This research pertains to bioleaching of copper containing ores with particular reference to the copper sulfide mineral chalcopyrite (CuFeS₂). While it is focused on heap bioleaching, it has applications to stirred tank bioleaching operations. Industrial heap bioleaching offers opportunities for processing of low grade ores but poses process operational challenges. These challenges include ineffective heap inoculation, a lag period before effective leaching commences and poor heap performance. These aspects are attributed to several contributing factors, such as heap construction, engineering and microbial activity. To date little attention has been paid to colonisation as a means of mitigating these challenges and effectively improving process operation. Current literature regarding microbial attachment to sulfide minerals is limited to pure culture studies using iron oxidising mesophiles, and the use of sulfide mineral concentrates. In a heap environment, mineral dissolution is accelerated through the presence of a mixed consortium of microbial species; with the contribution of each not yet fully understood. In addition, gangue minerals comprise the bulk of the minerals present and thus cannot be neglected when attempting to better understand microbial attachment and the role of micro-organisms in a heap environment. The predominant methodology employed to study microbial attachment in a bioleach context has used batch agitated systems (shake flasks). This may not adequately represent attachment under heap-like fluid dynamics. The idea of this project stemmed from a requirement to contribute to the mitigation of challenges faced by industry through addressing the aforementioned gaps prevailing in literature and improving understanding of the role of microbial attachment and colonisation under conditions simulating a heap. The aim of this study was to investigate attachment of three bioleach micro-organisms (A. ferrooxidans, L. ferriphilum and S. metallicus)to complex, sulfide-containing minerals ores in a bioleach environment using methodologies simulating heap-like conditions. DA - 2009 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PB - University of Cape Town PY - 2009 T1 - Microbial attachment to sulfide minerals in a bioleach environment TI - Microbial attachment to sulfide minerals in a bioleach environment UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/7702 ER -en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/7702
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationAfrica C. Microbial attachment to sulfide minerals in a bioleach environment. [Thesis]. University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment ,Centre for Bioprocess Engineering Research, 2009 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/7702en_ZA
dc.language.isoengen_ZA
dc.publisher.departmentCentre for Bioprocess Engineering Research
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Engineering and the Built Environment
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Cape Town
dc.subject.otherBioprocess Engineeringen_ZA
dc.titleMicrobial attachment to sulfide minerals in a bioleach environmenten_ZA
dc.typeMaster Thesis
dc.type.qualificationlevelMasters
dc.type.qualificationnameMScen_ZA
uct.type.filetypeText
uct.type.filetypeImage
uct.type.publicationResearchen_ZA
uct.type.resourceThesisen_ZA
Files
Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
thesis_ebe_2009_africa_c_j.pdf
Size:
12.85 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:
Download
Collections
Masters