Enhanced dibenzothiophene biodesulfurization in a microchannel reactor

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Chemical Engineering
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Biodesulfurization is crucial for removing sulfur compounds from fuels.
• Traditional batch reactors have limitations in efficiency and substrate degradation.
• Microreactor technology offers potential for improved biocatalytic processes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of a microchannel reactor system for biodesulfurization.
• To compare the biodesulfurization rate in a microchannel reactor versus a batch reactor.
• To assess the degradation of specific sulfur compounds, like alkylated dibenzothiophene, using this system.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a microchannel reactor system with a bacterial cell suspension.
• Conducted biodesulfurization experiments in both microchannel and batch (control) reactor configurations.
• Analyzed the reaction rates and degradation products in the oil/water phase.

Main Results:

• Biodesulfurization rates in the microchannel reactor were over nine times higher than in the batch reactor.
• The microchannel system successfully degraded alkylated dibenzothiophene, which was resistant to the batch system.
• Demonstrated the effectiveness of oil/water phase reactions within the microchannel setup.

Conclusions:

• Microchannel reactor systems offer a substantial advancement in biodesulfurization efficiency.
• This technology enables the degradation of previously recalcitrant organosulfur compounds.
• The study lays the groundwork for implementing microchannel reactors with biocatalysts for industrial applications.