Claims
- 1. A biological reactor for enhanced concentrate leaching which comprises a plurality of bioreactor cells, in flow communication, said plurality of cells comprising:(a) a cell loaded with packing material which is coated with a substrate which supports and sustains the activity of acidophilic microbes; (b) a leaching cell loaded with packing material which is coated with an inoculum-supporting substrate which is leached; (c) a plurality of stacked cells loaded with packing material which supports a concentrate material, each one of the plurality of stacked cells comprising a perforated inner cell wall surrounded by an outer cell wall providing maximum air flow through the plurality of stacked cells; and wherein the plurality of bioreactor cells are constructed and arranged to provide air flow through the cells.
- 2. A biological reactor, according to claim 1, wherein said packing is a sphere.
- 3. A biological reactor, according to claim 1, wherein said packing is made from polyethylene.
- 4. A biological reactor, according to claim 1, wherein said concentrate comprises sulfide mineral concentrates.
- 5. A biological reactor, according to claim 4, wherein said concentrate further comprises blending graphite, or graphite and a nutrient, with said sulfide mineral concentrates.
- 6. A biological reactor, according to claim 1, wherein said concentrate or substrate is bonded to said packing with a polymer.
- 7. A biological reactor, according to claim 6, wherein said polymer is polyethyl methacrylate.
- 8. A biological reactor, according to claim 1, wherein said acidophilic microbes are selected from the group consisting of Thiobacillus thiooxidans, Thiobaccilus ferrooxidans, and fungi.
- 9. A biological reactor, according to claim 1, wherein said coated packing has differential density that allows siad coated packing to rise in the reactor or cell as said coated packing is leached away.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO A RELATED APPLICATION
This application is a divional application of U.S. Ser. No. 091079,493, filed May 15, 1998; now U.S. Pat. No. 6,063,158 which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/046,639, filed May 16, 1997.
US Referenced Citations (7)
Foreign Referenced Citations (4)
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Date |
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2186202 |
Mar 1998 |
CA |
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GB |
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Non-Patent Literature Citations (1)
Entry |
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Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60/046639 |
May 1997 |
US |