Influence of physical and chemical factors on biological leaching process of copper from printed circuit boards

Abstract

The article presents the results of the research regarding the biological leaching of this metal from electronic wastes components in the form of printed circuit boards. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the influence of some physical and chemical factors (e.g. pH, oxidation-reduction potential) on bioleaching process and efficiency of copper transfer from solid phase into solution. Bioleaching experiments were carried out with pure cultures of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans. The obtained results were discussed.

Keywords

• biological leaching
• Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans
• PCBs
• copper