About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2026 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Biosustainable Materials for a Circular Economy
|
| Presentation Title |
Acidulation of a low-grade phosphate rock using biogenic acid generated by Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans, and its effect on mineralogy |
| Author(s) |
Sandra Milena Restrepo Arcila, Henry Colorado, Marco Márquez |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Sandra Milena Restrepo Arcila |
| Abstract Scope |
This study describes the leaching process of a Colombian phosphate rock using sulfuric acid of biological origin to solubilize phosphorus. Initially, an exhaustive characterization of the rock was carried out, determining a phosphorus content of 5.5% (w/w). Advanced analytical techniques (XRF, AA, XRD and FTIR) were used to characterize the elemental and mineralogical composition. Sulfuric acid was biologically produced by A. thiooxidans (ATCC-13977) in a 5 L reactor for 21 days, controlling parameters such as pH, sulfate, biomass and dissolved oxygen. This biogenic acid was introduced into phosphate rock at two concentrations under constant agitation (300 rpm) to evaluate phosphorus leaching. The solid residue was again characterized (XRF, XRD, FTIR), and the liquid was analyzed by UV-Vis to quantify the solubilized phosphorus, allowing to estimate the efficiency of the process and the potential of the acid as a sustainable alternative. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
Sustainability, Recycling and Secondary Recovery, Other |