Microbial reduction of iron ore
US4880740A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 17, 1984 |
| Grant date | Nov 14, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 17, 2004 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P20/582
- WIPO fieldBiotechnology
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A process is provided for reducing iron ore by treatment with microorganisms which comprises forming an aqueous mixture of iron ore, microorganisms operable for reducing the ferric iron of the iron ore to ferrous iron, and a substrate operable as an energy source for the microbial reduction; and maintaining the aqueous mixture for a period of time and under conditions operable to effect the reduction of the ore. Preferably the microorganism is Pseudomonas sp. 200 and the reduction conducted anaerobically with a domestic wastewater as the substrate. An aqueous solution containing soluble ferrous iron can be separated from the reacted mixture, treated with a base to precipitate ferrous hydroxide which can then be recovered as a concentrated slurry.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.