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Content archived on 2022-11-21

Treatment of waste pickling liquors (WPL) from steelmaking by the bio-oxidation process

Objective

The fundamental objectives of the research are:
(1) to improve and extend the range of possible methods for treating waste pickling liquors from the steel industry by applying the recent advances in biotechnologies in this sector;
(2) to use certain wastes from the steel industry as substrates for bacteria;
(3) to adapt biotechnologies to the environment of the steel industry;
(4) to develop alternative processes for preventing and reducing pollution in the vicinity of steelworks.

The programme has been divided into six basic phases covering the study of the physico-chemical properties of the liquors, culture of the microorganisms selected and adaptation of the microorganisms to each type of liquor and, finally, biotechnological treatment of the waste pickling liquors.

To give a more detailed description, the following phases will be included:
(I) Determination of the chemical and physico-chemical characteristics of the liquors, by means of the relevant standardized methods of analysis;
(ii) Culture of the selected microorganisms (Thiobacillus Ferrooxidans and Sulfolobus) and adaptation of the microorganisms to the effluents concerned;
(iii) Studies on bacteria substrates and of the most appropriate reaction mechanisms, considering two possible methods of operation: bio-oxidation with a bacteria substrate or bio-oxidation with no substrate;
(iv) Study of the process for obtaining iron oxides by crystallization of the oxidized solution and study of the sintering process; study and determination of the physico-chemical properties; ways of recycling the sinter in the blast furnace or for other uses;
(v) Study and evaluation of the results obtained.

Call for proposal

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Funding Scheme

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Coordinator

CENIM
EU contribution
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Address
Avda Gregorio del Amo 8
28040 Madrid
Spain

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Total cost
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