Biotechnological procedure to remove magnetic sulfur impurities from iron concentrate ores

Abstract

Present invention describes a biotechnological procedure to remove magnetic sulfur impurities from iron concentrate, CHARACTERIZED because it includes: to bioleach iron concentrate ores agglomerated in heaps under temperature condition between 5 and 35° C., inoculating the iron concentrate ores with Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans cultures, with an inoculum concentration 10 4 and 10 6 cel/g and addition of water supplemented with nitrogen and phosphorous source (0.01 to 0.5 g (NH 4 ) 2 HPO 4 /L), without potassium addition, adjusting pH between 1.0 and 9.0, and a feeding rate between 5 and 15 L/h/m 2 ; this procedure allows a removal efficiency above 80% in 21 days, with a maximum iron loss of 3%.

1 . A biotechnological procedure to remove magnetic sulfur impurities from iron concentrate ores, wherein the procedure includes the steps of:
 bioleaching iron concentrate ores agglomerated on heaps, under temperature conditions between 5 and 35° C.,   inoculating the iron concentrate ores with  Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans  culture, with an inoculum size between 10 4  and 10 6  cel/g, and   adding water supplemented with nitrogen and phosphorus source with a concentration from 0.01 to 0.5 g/L of (NH 4 ) 2 HPO 4  in water, without potassium addition, adjusting pH between 1.0 and 9.0, and an irrigation rate between 5 and 15 L/h/m 2 .   
     
     
         2 . The biotechnological procedure according to  claim 1 , wherein the culture belongs to the deposited strain DSM 17318, denominated Licanantay. 
     
     
         3 . The biotechnological procedure according to  claim 1 , wherein the iron concentrate ores have a particle size below 0.15 mm.