ITRI’s technology for the recovery of precious metals using microbial thermophilic proteins as biosorbents relies on a new hot-spring microbe species screened from geothermal areas. Thermophilic proteins of the species have characteristics of high thermal stability and high metal absorbing capability. These characteristics are particularly suitable for the recycling of precious metals, such as gold from wastewater of extremely low concentration (below 5 ppm). This allows for precious metal recovery from high-tech wastewater to become economically feasible. Bio-recovery of precious metal consumes little energy and contributes to conservation of resources. The microbial strain has passed human allergy and cellular toxicity tests and is considered a low environmental impact. This green technology successfully eliminates the energy consuming and highly polluting production processes of high-tech industries.
Recovery of Precious Metals Using Microbial Thermophilic Proteins as Biosorbents.