US H2,140 H1
Bio-oxidation process and apparatus
Mike Rhodes, 26 Woodroyd Street, Mt. Lawley, W.A. 6050 (Australia); Paul C. Miller, 21 Finney Crescent, Marmion, W.A. 6020 (Australia); and Richard Winby, 4 Lovegrove Close, Mt. Claremont, W.A. 60101 (Australia)
Appl. No. 9/831,579
PCT Filed Oct. 22, 1999, PCT No. PCT/AU99/00917
§ 371(c)(1), (2), (4) Date Jul. 02, 2002,
PCT Pub. No. WO00/29629, PCT Pub. Date May 25, 2000.
Claims priority of application No. PP 7180 (AU), filed on Nov. 18, 1998.
Int. Cl. C22B 3/18 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 210—610 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A process for recovering metals from materials containing them by bio-oxidation comprising;
a) treating, in a non-mechanically agitated reactor, a slurry comprising a metal containing material with bacteria capable of promoting extraction of metals from said metal containing material; and,
b) introducing an oxygen-containing gas to the slurry within the reactor by aeration means.