Patent ID: 6790418
Filing Date: 2004-09-14
Classification: C12P,C22B,Y02P

Abstract:
An apparatus for producing sulfuric acid comprising:at least one reaction vessel having a base, said reaction vessel containing a bottom layer located adjacent to said base comprising a first packing material and a reactant layer above said bottom layer wherein said reactant layer contains a sulfur material, selected from the group consisting of elemental sulfur, sulfur-containing ores, sulfide-containing ores, sulfur-containing minerals, sulfide-containing minerals and combinations thereof, and acidophilic microbes; an aerator extending at least partially into said bottom layer, said aerator introducing an oxygen-containing gas into said bottom layer such that said oxygen-containing gas flows upward and through said reactant layer; an irrigation system extending at least partially over said reactant layer, said irrigation system introducing an aqueous solution at or above the top of said reactant layer such that said aqueous solution flows down and through said reactant layer and into said bottom layer to produce an acid solution containing sulfuric acid; means for withdrawing said acid solution from said reaction vessel to produce a withdrawn acid solution; and means for introducing a first portion of said withdrawn acid solution to the top of said reactant layer.