Summary
The kinetics of oxidation of aqueous acidic ferrous sulphate by Thiobacillus ferrooxidans has been studied in a batch reactor. The contribution of cell wall envelopes to the oxidation rate has been shown to be negligible. A model which accounts for the oxidation of Fe2 +, death of bacteria due to Fe3 + poisoning, existence of an optimal pH and precipitation of Fe3 + has been proposed. The model is able to predict the concentration of Fe2 + and pH quite satisfactorily. The predictions of Fe3 + are not so accurate because of simplifying assumptions made about its precipitation.
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Kumar, S.R., Gandhi, K.S. Modelling of Fe2 + oxidation by Thiobacillus ferrooxidans . Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 33, 524–528 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00172545
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00172545