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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 3, 2026

Development of Sulfidogenic Sludge from Marine Sediments and Trichloroethylene Reduction in an Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket Reactor

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Published on: October 15, 2015

Biological sulfuric acid transformation: Reactor design and process optimization.

G Stucki¹, K W Hanselmann, R A Hürzeler

¹Ciba-Geigy AG, WS 2074, 14, CH-4133, Schweizerhalle, Switzerland.

Biotechnology and Bioengineering

|February 5, 1993

Summary

This study introduces a novel biological recycling process for waste sulfuric acid (H2SO4), converting it into valuable weak acids using sulfate-reducing bacteria. This method offers an eco-friendly alternative to current disposal technologies.

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Area of Science:

Environmental Microbiology
Biochemical Engineering
Waste Management

Background:

Current disposal methods for waste sulfuric acid (H2SO4) are often inefficient and environmentally burdensome.
Biological conversion offers a sustainable alternative for acid waste treatment and resource recovery.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop and evaluate a novel biological recycling process for waste sulfuric acid.
To investigate the microbial conversion of sulfuric acid into volatile weak acids using sulfate-reducing bacteria.
To assess the efficiency and key parameters of the proposed recycling system.

Main Methods:

Utilized sulfate-reducing bacteria for the biological conversion of sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and acetic acid (CH3COOH).
Employed a fixed-bed biofilm column reactor coupled with a gas-stripping column for continuous removal of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and carbon dioxide (CO2).
Operated under carbon-limited conditions at pH 7.5-8.5, optimizing gas removal below the pKa values of the acids.

Main Results:

Achieved high microbial conversion rates of 65 g sulfate reduced per liter of bioreactor volume per day.
Maintained bacterial conversion efficiencies for sulfate exceeding 95% by controlling undissociated H2S levels.
Demonstrated successful H2S concentration in stripped gas ranging from 2% to 8% (v/v).

Conclusions:

The developed biological recycling process effectively converts waste sulfuric acid into valuable weak acids without prior neutralization.
The system demonstrates high efficiency and stability, making it a promising alternative for sustainable waste sulfuric acid management.
Further optimization based on process parameters can enhance the overall conversion performance.