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Title Zinc recovery from bioleachate using a microbial electrolysis cell and comparison with selective precipitation
ID_Doc 29840
Authors Spiess, S; Kucera, J; Vaculovic, T; Birklbauer, L; Habermaier, C; Conde, AS; Mandl, M; Haberbauer, M
Title Zinc recovery from bioleachate using a microbial electrolysis cell and comparison with selective precipitation
Year 2023
Published
DOI 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1238853
Abstract Metal recycling is essential for strengthening a circular economy. Microbial leaching (bioleaching) is an economical and environmentally friendly technology widely used to extract metals from insoluble ores or secondary resources such as dust, ashes, and slags. On the other hand, microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) would offer an energy-efficient application for recovering valuable metals from an aqueous solution. In this study, we investigated a MEC for Zn recovery from metal-laden bioleachate for the first time by applying a constant potential of -100mV vs. Ag/AgCl (3M NaCl) on a synthetic wastewater-treating bioanode. Zn was deposited onto the cathode surface with a recovery efficiency of 41 +/- 13% and an energy consumption of 2.55 kWh kg(-1). For comparison, Zn recovery from zinc sulfate solution resulted in a Zn recovery efficiency of 100 +/- 0% and an energy consumption of 0.70 kWh kg(-1). Furthermore, selective metal precipitation of the bioleachate was performed. Individual metals were almost completely precipitated from the bioleachate at pH 5 (Al), pH 7 (Zn and Fe), and pH 9 (Mg and Mn).
Author Keywords microbial electrolysis cell; metal recovery; zinc recovery; bioleaching; selective precipitation
Index Keywords Index Keywords
Document Type Other
Open Access Open Access
Source Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED)
EID WOS:001058992900001
WoS Category Microbiology
Research Area Microbiology
PDF https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2023.1238853/pdf
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