Recovery of bioleaching microbes

Abstract

A method of recovering microbial cells in a bioleaching process which includes the steps of subjecting a slurry produced in a bioleaching plant to a solid/liquid separation process, and extracting microbial cells from the resulting liquid.

1 . A method of recovering microbial cells in a bioleaching process comprising: 
 a. subjecting a slurry produced in a bioleaching plant to a solid/liquid separation process; and    b. extracting microbial cells from the resulting liquid, wherein the microbial cells are extracted using one a technique selected from the group consisting of a continuous centrifugal process, a batch centrifugal process, a continuous concentration process that includes concentrating the cells by subjecting the resulting liquid to a membrane filtration process wherein the cells are accumulated onto an inner surface of the membrane and are then removed by back flushing or washing.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the microbial cells are separated from metal in solution in the resulting liquid.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the microbial cells are extracted using a plurality of extraction phases, which are operated in series.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the bioleaching plant includes a plurality of bioleaching reactors connected in series,  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising recycling the microbial cells to at least one bioleaching reactor.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising storing the extracted cells.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising packaging the extracted cells.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising freeze-drying the extracted cells.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the extracted cells are subsequently used as a backup inoculum.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising inoculating a new bioleaching reactor with the extracted cells.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising re-inoculating a currently used bioleaching reactor.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising extracting at least one of an enzyme and a protein from the extracted cells.