Selective separation of arsenopyrite from pyrite by biomodulation in the presence of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans

Chandraprabha, MN and Natarajan, KA and Somasundaran, P (2004) Selective separation of arsenopyrite from pyrite by biomodulation in the presence of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans. In: Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 276 (2). pp. 323-332.

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Abstract

Effective methods for selective separation using flotation or flocculation of arsenopyrite from pyrite by biomodulation using Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans are presented here. Adhesion of the bacterium to the surface of arsenopyrite was very slow compared to that to pyrite, resulting in a difference in surface modification of the minerals subsequent to interaction with cells. The cells were able to effectively depress pyrite flotation in presence of collectors like potassium isopropyl xanthate and potassium amyl xanthate. On the other hand the flotability of arsenopyrite after conditioning with the cells was not significantly affected. The activation of pyrite by copper sulfate was reduced when the minerals were conditioned together, resulting in better selectivity. Selective separation could also be achieved by flocculation of biomodulated samples.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	Journal of Colloid and Interface Science
Publisher:	Elsevier
Additional Information:	The copyright belongs to Elsevier.
Keywords:	Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans;Pyrite;Arsenopyrite;Biomodulation;Activation;Selective flotation;Flocculation
Department/Centre:	Division of Mechanical Sciences > Materials Engineering (formerly Metallurgy)
Date Deposited:	25 Apr 2006
Last Modified:	19 Sep 2010 04:25
URI:	http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/6370

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