Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Selective Dissolution of Magnesium from Ferronickel Slag by Sulfur-Oxidizing Mixotrophic Bacteria at Room Temperature

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Journal of Sustainable Metallurgy Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Due to the significant magnesium content, ferronickel slag is potentially a secondary magnesium resource and a subject for CO2 fixation. The current techniques require high energy consumption and involve physical and chemical processes. The biohydrometallurgical method can be applied to extract magnesium from ferronickel slag to minimize the energy required. However, the information about bioleaching magnesium from slag is still limited. Also, it is essential to investigate the selectivity of magnesium over iron dissolution because iron is also one of the major elements in the slag. In this study, ferronickel slag was subjected to bioleaching experiments using sulfur-oxidizing mixotrophic bacterium (Citrobacter freundii) at ambient conditions, which was capable of producing organic acid and secreting extracellular polymeric substances and utilizing iron and sulfur as energy sources. The effect of pulp density (75–150 g/L), particle size fraction (less than 74 μm to 105–149 μm), and elemental sulfur addition (0–15 g/L) on magnesium recovery was investigated. The experimental results showed that the bacterium could improve the dissolution of magnesium-bearing minerals in the slag. Increasing pulp density, particle size fraction, and elemental sulfur concentration were detrimental to the selectivity of magnesium over iron. The highest selectivity of 0.90 was reached in the biotic system using a size fraction < 74 μm and a pulp density of 100 g/L in 24 h. The result showed that magnesium dissolution was affected by bacteria, whereas iron dissolution was related to the pH trends during bioleaching. The iron concentration remained lower than 1 g/L under all experimental conditions, suggesting that the dissolution of iron could be restricted during bioleaching experiments. In addition, pH adjustment before bioleaching was not necessary, and the pH value during leaching was above 4.5, which could decrease the cost and ease the tailing treatment.

Graphical Abstract

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Swinbourne DR (2014) Understanding ferronickel smelting from laterites through computational thermodynamics modelling. Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy 123:127–140. https://doi.org/10.1179/1743285514Y.0000000056

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Shen H, Forssberg E (2003) An overview of recovery of metals from slags. Waste Manage 23:933–949. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0956-053X(02)00164-2

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Huang Y, Wang Q, Shi M (2017) Characteristics and reactivity of ferronickel slag powder. Constr Build Mater 156:773–789. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.09.038

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Sun J, Wang Z, Chen Z (2018) Hydration mechanism of composite binders containing blast furnace ferronickel slag at different curing temperatures. J Therm Anal Calorim 131:2291–2301. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-017-6739-9

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Motz H, Geiseler J (2001) Products of steel slags an opportunity to save natural resources. Waste Manage 21:285–293. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0956-053X(00)00102-1

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Peng Z, Tang H, Augustine R et al (2019) From ferronickel slag to value-added refractory materials: A microwave sintering strategy. Resour Conserv Recycl 149:521–531. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2019.06.019

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Mathaudhu SN, Luo AA, Neelameggham NR et al (2016) Essential Readings in Magnesium Technology. Springer International Publishing, Cham

    Book  Google Scholar 

  8. Maroto-Valer MM, Fauth DJ, Kuchta ME et al (2005) Activation of magnesium rich minerals as carbonation feedstock materials for CO2 sequestration. Fuel Process Technol 86:1627–1645. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuproc.2005.01.017

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. McQueen N, Kelemen P, Dipple G et al (2020) Ambient weathering of magnesium oxide for CO2 removal from air. Nat Commun 11:3299. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-16510-3

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. USGS (2020) Magnesium compound and magnesium metal, in: Mineral Commodity Summaries 2020. https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2020/mcs2020.pdf. Accessed 1 Oct 2020

  11. Geerlings H, Zevenhoven R (2013) CO2 Mineralization—Bridge between storage and utilization of CO2. Annu Rev Chem Biomol Eng 4:103–117. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-chembioeng-062011-080951

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Yadav S, Mehra A (2017) Experimental study of dissolution of minerals and CO2 sequestration in steel slag. Waste Manage 64:348–357. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2017.03.032

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Jain N, Sharma DK (2004) Biohydrometallurgy for nonsulfidic minerals—A review. Geomicrobiol J 21:135–144. https://doi.org/10.1080/01490450490275271

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Brandl H (2008) Microbial Leaching of Metals. In: Rehm H-J, Reed G (eds) Biotechnology. Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH, Weinheim, Germany, pp 191–224

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  15. Chaerun SK, Putri EA, Mubarok MZ (2020) Bioleaching of Indonesian galena concentrate with an iron- and sulfur-oxidizing mixotrophic bacterium at room temperature. Front Microbiol 11:557548. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2020.557548

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Fujita M, Ike M, Tachibana S et al (2000) Characterization of a bioflocculant produced by Citrobacter sp. TKF04 from acetic and propionic acids. J Biosci Bioeng 89:40–46. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1389-1723(00)88048-2

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Mubarok MZ, Winarko R, Chaerun SK et al (2017) Improving gold recovery from refractory gold ores through biooxidation using iron-sulfur-oxidizing/sulfur-oxidizing mixotrophic bacteria. Hydrometallurgy 168:69–75. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hydromet.2016.10.018

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Yao M, Lian B, Teng HH et al (2013) Serpentine Dissolution in the Presence of Bacteria Bacillus mucilaginosus. Geomicrobiol J 30:72–80. https://doi.org/10.1080/01490451.2011.653087

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Acevedo F, Gentina JC, Valencia P (2004) Optimization of pulp density and particle size in the biooxidation of a pyritic gold concentrate by Sulfolobus metallicus. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 20:865–869. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11274-004-1006-1

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Kordialik-Bogacka E (2011) Surface properties of yeast cells during heavy metal biosorption. Open Chem 9:348–351. https://doi.org/10.2478/s11532-011-0008-8

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Qiu X, Yao Y, Wang H, Duan Y (2018) Live microbial cells adsorb Mg2+ more effectively than lifeless organic matter. Front Earth Sci 12:160–169. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11707-017-0626-3

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Jerez CA (2011) Bioleaching and Biomining for the Industrial Recovery of Metals. In: Comprehensive Biotechnology. Elsevier, pp 717–729

  23. Jorjani E, Ghahreman A (2017) Challenges with elemental sulfur removal during the leaching of copper and zinc sulfides, and from the residues; a review. Hydrometallurgy 171:333–343. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hydromet.2017.06.011

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Morrow CP, Kubicki JD, Mueller KT, Cole DR (2010) Description of Mg 2+ Release from Forsterite Using Ab Initio Methods. J Phys Chem C 114:5417–5428. https://doi.org/10.1021/jp9057719

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Valix M, Usai F, Malik R (2001) Fungal bio-leaching of low grade laterite ores. Miner Eng 14:197–203. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0892-6875(00)00175-8

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Sand W, Gehrke T (2006) Extracellular polymeric substances mediate bioleaching/biocorrosion via interfacial processes involving iron (III) ions and acidophilic bacteria. Res Microbiol 157:49–56. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resmic.2005.07.012

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Adamo P, Violante P (2000) Weathering of rocks and neogenesis of minerals associated with lichen activity. Appl Clay Sci 16:229–256. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0169-1317(99)00056-3

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Tourney J, Ngwenya BT (2014) The role of bacterial extracellular polymeric substances in geomicrobiology. Chem Geol 386:115–132. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemgeo.2014.08.011

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Chaerun SK, Tazaki K, Okuno M (2013) Montmorillonite mitigates the toxic effect of heavy oil on hydrocarbon-degrading bacterial growth: implications for marine oil spill bioremediation. Clay Miner 48:639–654. https://doi.org/10.1180/claymin.2013.048.4.17

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This work was funded by a grant from the 2018 Research Program (P3MI), Institute for Research and Community Services, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Indonesia, to SKC. We thank all the members of the Geomicrobiology-Biomining & Biocorrosion Laboratory and Microbial Culture Collection Laboratory, Biosciences and Biotechnology Research Center (BBRC), Institut Teknologi Bandung for their cooperation and assistance.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Metallurgical Engineering, Faculty of Mining and Petroleum Engineering, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Ganesha 10, Bandung, 40132, West Java, Indonesia

    Siti Khodijah Chaerun & Petrus Pardomuan Butarbutar

  2. Geomicrobiology-Biomining & Biocorrosion Laboratory, Microbial Culture Collection Laboratory, Biosciences and Biotechnology Research Center (BBRC), Institut Teknologi Bandung, Ganesha 10, Bandung, 40132, West Java, Indonesia

    Siti Khodijah Chaerun

  3. Department of Materials Engineering, University of British Columbia, 309-6350 Stores Road, Vancouver, BC, Canada

    Ronny Winarko

Authors
  1. Siti Khodijah Chaerun
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ronny Winarko
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Petrus Pardomuan Butarbutar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

SKC Supervision, Funding, Conceptualization, Writing-review & editing, Validation. RW Conceptualization, Formal analysis, Writing-original draft. PPB Investigation, Formal analysis.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Siti Khodijah Chaerun.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

On behalf of all authors, the corresponding author states that there is no conflict of interest. The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Additional information

The contributing editor for this article was Grace Ofori-Sarpong.

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Chaerun, S.K., Winarko, R. & Butarbutar, P.P. Selective Dissolution of Magnesium from Ferronickel Slag by Sulfur-Oxidizing Mixotrophic Bacteria at Room Temperature. J. Sustain. Metall. 8, 1014–1025 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40831-022-00536-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40831-022-00536-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation