Electrochemical substrate regeneration augmentation of biomass production (Thiobacillus ferrooxidans DSM 583) for a biological metal extraction system

A bioelectrochemical reactor regenerates the substrate of the acidophilic bacterium Thiobacillus ferrooxidans DSM 583 (ferrous ions). This reactor uses a through-flow porous fixed bed or carbon as cathode. A linearizing non-linear regulator insures an efficient control of the intensity imposed to the electrochemical reactor. The protein concentration, correlated to the biomass concentration, is 6.4 fold increased for a 55 h growth, including a 20 h electrolysis. The metal tolerance and the metal fixation capacity of a T. ferrooxidans biomass are presented both for solutions including one or two metallic ions and an industrial waste. A bioelectrochemical process based on these characteristics is proposed for removing metal ions from wastes.