Investigation of Viscosity and Thermodynamic Properties on the Bioleaching Solution with and without Mesophilic Bacteria

In this study, the viscosities and conductivities of bioleaching solution were determined by Ubbelohde viscometer and conductivity meter, respectively. The mean ionic activity coefficients, relative partial molar free energies of copper bioleaching solution at above experimental temperatures ranging from 298 K to 313 K have been calculated. Simultaneously, these characters of copper bioleaching solution were compared with and without mesophilic bacteria. The experimental data showed that the viscosities and thermodynamic properties for bioleaching solution would be crucial to minimize the third phase formation so as to increase extraction efficiency.