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Extracting copper from its ore.
Member rating: No Rating | Words: | Submitted: Tue Oct 21 2003
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Extracting copper from its ore Low-grade ore is piled on specially treated impermeable ground for ease later to drain away the Cu ion solution. The bacteria can then be sprayed on requiring acidic conditions, a supply of Fe2+ and S2- ions, oxygen; carbon dioxide; and nitrogen and phosphorous containing nutrients. Thiobacillius ferro-oxidans and Thiobacillius thio-oxidans, gain energy to live by oxidising Fe2+ ions and S2- ions respectively. In effect they release the required metal ions into solution. The copper ion solution can now be drained off and the copper ions removed using another solvent in a Ligand Exchange Reaction. The ligand can be dissolved in an organic solvent (such as kerosene) which is immiscible in water. Cu2+(aq) + 2LH (organic) CuL2 (organic) + 2H+ (aq) The copper is removed from a low concentration in water to a high concentration in the organic solvent. By adding concentrated acid to the organic solvent the process can...
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