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Continuous bacterial coal desulfurization employing Thiobacillus ferrooxidans
1School of Chemical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332.
Biotechnology and Bioengineering
|January 1, 1984
Summary
This study investigated pyrite sulfur leaching from coal using Thiobacillus Ferrooxidans in a continuous stirred tank reactor. Higher coal surface area and dilution rates enhanced bacterial leaching efficiency.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Environmental Science
- Microbial Engineering
Background:
- Pyrite sulfur in coal poses environmental challenges.
- Bacterial leaching offers a potential method for sulfur removal.
- Thiobacillus Ferrooxidans is a key microorganism in bioleaching processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of dilution rate and coal surface area on pyrite sulfur leaching by Thiobacillus Ferrooxidans.
- To model the kinetics of bacterial attachment to coal surfaces.
- To determine the specific growth rate of bacteria on coal.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) for bioleaching experiments.
- Varying dilution rates (0.02-0.11 h(-1)) and coal surface areas (0.25-1.0 m(2)/mL).
- Applying a bacterial mass balance model to analyze growth kinetics.
Main Results:
- Bacterial leaching rate increased with higher coal surface area and dilution rates.
- Bacterial concentration on coal followed an irreversible second-order kinetic equation, reaching saturation.
- Specific growth rate on solid coal increased with dilution rate.
Conclusions:
- Optimizing dilution rate and coal surface area can enhance bioleaching efficiency.
- Bacterial attachment to coal is a critical factor in the leaching process.
- Thiobacillus Ferrooxidans exhibits significant potential for coal desulfurization.
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