Use of Bayesian Methods in the Process of Uranium Bioleaching by Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans

Abstract

This research is focused on investigating the utilization of Bayesian methodologies, specifically the Markov Chain Monte Carlo method, as well as filter sampling by importance and sequential resampling. The objective is to estimate kinetic parameters and state variables associated with the uranium bioleaching process by Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans. Experimental data of cell concentration, uranium concentration, and concentrations of ferrous and ferric ions, obtained from literature, were employed. These measurements were evaluated using a mathematical model expressed by a system of ordinary differential equations. Three different mathematical models were evaluated, considering different uncertainties in experimental measurements and mathematical models (1% and 5%). The estimation results presented a good fit to the experimental data, with coefficients of determination in the range of 0.95 to 0.99. The validation of the mathematical models was obtained by reproducing the experimental measurements and the Bayesian techniques proved to be suitable for application in the bioleaching process.