Biochemical solubilization of toxic salts from residual geothermal brines and waste waters

Patent · Tue Nov 22 00:00:00 EST 1994

OSTI ID:7008923

Premuzic, E T; Lin, M S

A method of solubilizing metal salts such as metal sulfides in a geothermal sludge using mutant Thiobacilli selected for their ability to metabolize metal salts at high temperature is disclosed. The method includes the introduction of mutated Thiobacillus ferrooxidans and Thiobacillus thiooxidans to a geothermal sludge or brine. The microorganisms catalyze the solubilization of metal salts. For instance, in the case of metal sulfides, the microorganisms catalyze the solubilization to form soluble metal sulfates. 54 figs.

• DOE Contract Number: AC02-76CH00016
• Assignee: Associated Universities, Inc., Washington, DC (United States)
• Patent Number(s): US 5366891; A
• Application Number: PPN: US 8-115760
• OSTI ID: 7008923
• Resource Relation: Patent File Date: 3 Sep 1993
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
GEOTHERMAL FLUIDS
WATER TREATMENT
METALS
BIODEGRADATION
DISSOLUTION
SULFIDES
SULFUR-OXIDIZING BACTERIA
PERFORMANCE
THIOBACILLUS FERROXIDANS
WASTE WATER
BACILLUS
BACTERIA
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DECOMPOSITION
ELEMENTS
FLUIDS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
LIQUID WASTES
MICROORGANISMS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
WASTES
WATER
154000* - Geothermal Energy- Waste Management- (1990-)
560300 - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology