Extracting copper from its ore
Low-grade ore is piled on specially treated impermeable ground for ease later to drain away the Cu ion solution. The bacteria can then be sprayed on requiring acidic conditions, a supply of Fe2+ and S2- ions, oxygen; carbon dioxide; and nitrogen and phosphorous containing nutrients. Thiobacillius ferro-oxidans and Thiobacillius thio-oxidans, gain energy to live by oxidising Fe2+ ions and S2- ions respectively. In effect they release the required metal ions into solution.
The copper ion solution can now be drained off and the copper ions removed using another solvent in a Ligand Exchange Reaction.
The ligand can be dissolved in an organic solvent (such as kerosene) which is immiscible in water.
Cu2+(aq) + 2LH (organic) CuL2 (organic) + 2H+ (aq)
The copper is removed from a low concentration in water to a high concentration in the organic solvent.
By adding concentrated acid to the organic solvent the process can be reversed - Cu2+ ions go back into the aqueous therefore further increasing the concentration of the Cu2+ ions.
By passing an electric current through the copper ion solution the copper can be extracted in sheets. Pure copper collects on the negative electrodes.
Low-grade ore is piled on specially treated impermeable ground for ease later to drain away the Cu ion solution. The bacteria can then be sprayed on requiring acidic conditions, a supply of Fe2+ and S2- ions, oxygen; carbon dioxide; and nitrogen and phosphorous containing nutrients. Thiobacillius ferro-oxidans and Thiobacillius thio-oxidans, gain energy to live by oxidising Fe2+ ions and S2- ions respectively. In effect they release the required metal ions into solution.
The copper ion solution can now be drained off and the copper ions removed using another solvent in a Ligand Exchange Reaction.
The ligand can be dissolved in an organic solvent (such as kerosene) which is immiscible in water.
Cu2+(aq) + 2LH (organic) CuL2 (organic) + 2H+ (aq)
The copper is removed from a low concentration in water to a high concentration in the organic solvent.
By adding concentrated acid to the organic solvent the process can be reversed - Cu2+ ions go back into the aqueous therefore further increasing the concentration of the Cu2+ ions.
By passing an electric current through the copper ion solution the copper can be extracted in sheets. Pure copper collects on the negative electrodes.