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Jayant M Modak

Publications and source records attributed to Jayant M Modak.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

Dissolution studies on TiO2 with organics.

In this work the effect of organic reducing reagents, namely, ascorbic acid, oxalic acid and L-cysteine on dissolution of commercial TiO(2) has been investigated. Kinetic studies showed that a maximum of about 45% of TiO(2) was dissolved by ascorbic acid in 4h when oxide:acid molar ratio was kept at 1:2. The dissolution of TiO(2) increased with increase in ascorbic acid and oxalic acid concentration up to 0.15M in 4h (corresponding to molar ratio of oxide to acid of 1:3) and further addition did not affect the dissolution. Nearly 45% TiO(2) dissolution was obtained with ascorbic acid alone while oxalic acid yielded 40% dissolution. When oxalic acid was added along with ascorbic acid in equi-molar concentrations, dissolution of TiO(2) was enhanced to 60% in 2.5h but when cysteine was added to ascorbic acid the dissolution was about 50% in just 1h.

Ascorbic Acid↗

Mechanisms for solubilization of cobalt, copper and nickel from Indian Ocean nodules at near neutral pH by a marine isolate.

Polymetallic ocean nodules offer an alternative source for extracting valuable strategic metals like Cu, Co and Ni. A novel biodissolution process was carried out, employing the cell-free spent growth medium from a marine organism ( Bacillus M1) isolated from nodules; and Cu, Co and Ni solubilization from the nodules was observed to be beyond the theoretical solubility limits at near neutral pH. Different characterization techniques revealed the presence of phenolic substances in the spent growth medium, which might have formed soluble complexes with the transition metals. The low prevailing E(h) redox value in the medium suggested a strong reducing environment, favoring the reductive dissolution of the oxides. A correlation study of dissolution of Cu, Co and Ni with that of Mn and Fe in the nodules was made to investigate the mechanisms of metal solubilization by the marine isolate. Under the influence of a strong reducing environment coupled with complexation by a phenolic substance present in the spent growth medium, Mn and Fe oxides were solubilized from the nodules, resulting in concomitant dissolution of Cu, Co and Ni associated with them in the nodules.

Bacillus↗

Selective separation of pyrite and chalcopyrite by biomodulation.

Selective separation of pyrite from other associated ferrous sulphides at acidic and neutral pH has been a challenging problem. This paper discusses the utility of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans for the selective flotation of chalcopyrite from pyrite. Consequent to interaction with bacterial cells, pyrite remained depressed even in the presence of potassium isopropyl xanthate collector while chalcopyrite exhibited significant flotability. However, when the minerals were conditioned together, the selectivity achieved was poor due to the activation of pyrite surface by the copper ions in solution. The selectivity was improved when the sequence of conditioning with bacterial cells and collector was reversed, since the bacterial cells were able to depress collector interacted pyrite effectively, while having negligible effect on chalcopyrite. The observed behaviour is analysed and discussed in detail. The separation obtained was significant both at acidic and alkaline pH. This selectivity achieved was retained when the minerals were interacted with both bacterial cells and collector simultaneously.

Acidithiobacillus↗

Genetic algorithms with filters for optimal control problems in fed-batch bioreactors.

When using a genetic algorithm (GA) to solve optimal control problems that can arise in a fed-batch bioreactor, the most obvious direct approach is to rely on a finite dimensional discretization of the optimal control problem into a nonlinear programming problem. Usually only the control function is discretized, and the continuous control function is approximated by a series of piecewise constant functions. Even though the piecewise discretized controls that the GA produces for the optimal control problem may give good performances, the control policies often show very high activity and differ considerably from those obtained using a continuous optimization strategy. The present study introduces a few filters into a real-coded genetic algorithm as additional operators and investigates the smoothing capabilities of the filters employed. It is observed that inclusion of a filter significantly smoothens the optimal control profile and often encourages the convergence of the algorithm. The applicability of the technique is illustrated by solving two previously reported optimal control problems in fed-batch bioreactors that are known to have singular arcs.

Algorithms↗

Solubilization of cobalt from ocean nodules at neutral pH-a novel bioprocess.

A marine organism ( Bacillus M1) isolated from Indian Ocean manganese nodules was characterized. The organism grew well in artificial seawater medium, at near neutral pH, 30 degrees C and 0.25 M NaCl, and showed MnO(2)-reducing activity. Growing cultures of Bacillus M1 as well as cell-free spent liquor from fully-grown cultures were employed to extract metals from the nodules. The spent liquor of cultures of the organism could dissolve around 45% cobalt (Co) at a pH of 8.2 in 2 h. Co recovery by this treatment was comparable to that in acidic leaching with 2.5 M hydrochloric acid solutions, and was independent of pulp density (w/v ratio). The amount of Co dissolved was beyond the thermodynamic solubility limit in aqueous solution at a pH of 8.2. It is inferred that the metabolites present in the spent liquor played a pivotal role in complexing the Fe (III) phase, solubilizing Co in the process. Partial characterization of spent liquor by spot tests, UV visible spectroscopy and FTIR spectroscopy, showed the presence of siderophore-like phenolic compound(s) with an attached carboxyl group that might form soluble organic complexes with Fe (III).

Bacillus↗

Modeling and analysis of biooxidation of gold bearing pyrite-arsenopyrite concentrates by Thiobacillus ferrooxidans.

The results of modeling the biooxidation of a mixed sulfidic concentrate by Thiobacillus ferrooxidans is reported here. A kinetic model, which accounts for the dissolution of sulfide matrix due to both bacterial attachment onto the mineral surface and indirect leaching, has been proposed. A comprehensive system approach is employed for modeling the complex biooxidation process by (a) the decomposition of the complete system into several subsystems, (b) modeling individual systems, and (c) integrating the subsystems model in a final system model. The model for subsystems was developed by writing mass balance equations for the different species involved. The bacterial balance accounts for its growth, both on solid substrate and in solution, and for the attachment to and detachment from the surface. The kinetic parameters of the model were determined by designing the experiments in such a manner that only one subsystem was operational. This model was tested in both laboratory scale batch and continuous biooxidation processes. The model predictions agreed with the experimental data reasonably well. A further analysis of the model was carried out to predict the conditions for efficient biooxidation. Studies on the effect of residence time and pulp density on steady-state behavior showed that there is a critical residence time and pulp density below which washout conditions occur. Operation at pulp densities lower than 5% and residence times lower than 72 h was found unfavorable for efficient leaching.

Arsenicals↗