Anaerobic microbial dissolution of lead and production of organic acids

Patent · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1988

OSTI ID:866652

Francis, Arokiasamy J ^[1]; Dodge, Cleveland ^[2]; Chendrayan, Krishnachetty ^[3]; Quinby, Helen L ^[4]

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1. Middle Island, NY
2. Wading River, NY
3. Coimbatore Tamil Nadu, IN
4. Cambridge, MD

The present invention relates to an anaerobic bacterial culture of Clostridium sp. ATCC No. 53464 which solubilizes lead oxide under anaerobic conditions in coal and industrial wastes and therefore presents a method of removing lead from such wastes before they are dumped into the environment. The rate of lead dissolution during logarithmic growth of the bacteria in 40 ml medium containing 3.32 .mu.moles of lead as lead oxide was 0.042 .mu.moles ml.sup.-1 hr.sup.-1. Dissolution of lead oxide by the bacterial isolate is due to the production of metabolites and acidity in the culture medium. The major metabolites are acetic, butyric and lactic acid. Clostridium sp. ATCC No. 53464 can be used in the recovery of strategic metals from ores and wastes and also for the production of lactic acid for commercial purposes. The process yields large quantities of lactic acid as well as lead complexed in a stable form with said acids.

• Research Organization: Associated Universities, Inc., Upton, NY (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-76CH00016
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4758345
• OSTI ID: 866652
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

anaerobic
microbial
dissolution
lead
production
organic
acids
relates
bacterial
culture
clostridium
sp
atcc
53464
solubilizes
oxide
conditions
coal
industrial
wastes
method
removing
dumped
environment
rate
logarithmic
growth
bacteria
40
ml
medium
containing
32
moles
042
-1
isolate
due
metabolites
acidity
major
acetic
butyric
lactic
acid
recovery
strategic
metals
ores
commercial
purposes
process
yields
quantities
complexed
stable
form
stable form
industrial waste
lactic acid
culture medium
anaerobic bacteria
anaerobic conditions
organic acids
lead oxide
organic acid
medium containing
anaerobic microbial
clostridium sp
bacterial culture
aerobic conditions
/210/435/