SBIR Phase II: A Novel Integrated Bioleaching Process for Chalcopyrite: An Alternative to Smelting

这个小企业创新研究第二阶段项目正在开发一种新的电生化浸出（EBL）方法，以从黄铜矿中回收铜，为冶炼提供替代方案。 黄铜矿是最常见的铜矿石，但由于其由于形成耐火表面层而钝化，因此难以进行水力处理。 第1阶段中的EBL方法被证明可以防止这种钝化，并导致比常规生物浸出方法更快和更完全的铜提取。 第二阶段的研究目标是：1）通过确定从不同来源的黄铜矿矿石中提取铜的程度来证明该工艺的多功能性; 2）确定EBL方法的最佳生物反应器配置;以及3）对该工艺进行大实验室规模（50至100 kg）演示，以确定初步工艺经济性。 该研究将通过EBL测量铜提取的程度和提取动力学，包括确定冶金平衡。第二阶段研究的结果将提供所需的数据，以建立该过程的初步经济可行性，并说服投资者或运营商（采矿公司）支持中试规模的示范。 如果成功，EBL方法将提供一种新的矿物提取技术，将在美国和其他地方开辟更多的铜储量，并减少铜的冶炼。

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase II project is developing a novel electrobiochemical leaching (EBL) approach to recover copper from chalcopyrite, providing an alternative to smelting. Chalcopyrite is the most common copper ore, yet it is difficult to process hydrometallurgically because it passivates due to formation of refractory surface layers. The EBL approach in Phase 1 was shown to prevent this passivation and to result in faster and more complete copper extraction than conventional bioleaching approaches. The Phase II research objectives are to: 1) demonstrate the versatility of the process by determining the extent of copper extraction from different sources of chalcopyrite ore; 2) determine the optimum bioreactor configurations for the EBL approach; and 3) make a large laboratory scale (50 to 100 kg) demonstration of the process for determining preliminary process economics. The research will measure the extent of copper extraction and extraction kinetics by EBL, including the determination of metallurgical balances.The results of the Phase II research will provide the data required to establish preliminary economic feasibility of the process and to convince investors or operators (mining company) to support a pilot scale demonstration. If successful, the EBL approach will provide a new technology in mineral extractions that will open additional reserves of copper in the US and elsewhere and reduce smelting of copper.