Abstract
Chemical and biological leaching is practiced on a commercial scale for the mining of metals from ores. Although bioleaching is an environmentally-friendly alternative to chemical leaching, one of the principal shortcomings is the slow rate of leaching which needs to be addressed. The application of ultrasound in bioleaching, termed sonobioleaching, is a technique which has been reported to increase the rate and extent of metal extraction. This article reviews efforts made in the field of sonobioleaching. Since bioleaching is effectively a biological and chemical process, the effects of sonication on chemical leaching/reactions and biological processes are also reviewed. Although sonication increases metal extraction by increasing the metabolite production and enhanced mixing at a micro scale, research is limited in terms of the microorganisms explored. This paper highlights some shortcomings and limitations of existing techniques, and proposes directions for future research.
Highlights
Chemical and biological leaching processes are practiced in industry for the mining of metals from ores
Metabolites produced by microorganisms often play a role in metal extraction during bioleaching
Another study with Escherichia coli and Streptococcus mutans highlighted the importance of the chemical effect of sonication leading to bacterial inactivation [62]
Summary
Chemical and biological leaching processes are practiced in industry for the mining of metals from ores. Chemical leaching has been practiced commercially for metal mining from ores (e.g., copper and zinc), bioleaching plants are comparatively less abundant [1,2,3,4]. Depending on the metal(s) of interest and ore mineralogy, heap bioleaching or stirred tank reactors are used on an industrial scale. It has been observed that the enhancement in convective diffusivity in the medium and particle fragmentation caused by sonication augments the leaching reactions [14] These ultrasound effects are due to cavitation, which increases the temperature and pressure conditions within the reactions. This article reviews the effect ultrasound in chemical reaction/leaching, biological processes, and bioleaching. Of ultrasound in chemical reaction/leaching, biological processes, and bioleaching.
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