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Desulfurization of coal by microbial column flotation.
1Department of Biotechnology, Abiko Research Laboratory, Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry, 1646 Abiko, Abiko-shi, Chiba 270-11 Japan.
Biotechnology and Bioengineering
|June 5, 1994
Summary
This study isolated Thiobacillus ferrooxidans for enhanced coal desulfurization. Microbial column flotation with a long column significantly reduced pyritic sulfur content while maintaining high coal recovery.
Area of Science:
- Microbial biotechnology
- Environmental engineering
- Mineral processing
Background:
- Iron-oxidizing bacteria play a role in mineral leaching.
- Coal desulfurization is crucial for reducing environmental pollution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of microbial column flotation for coal desulfurization.
- To optimize parameters for enhanced pyrite removal and coal recovery.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and identification of iron-oxidizing bacteria, specifically Thiobacillus ferrooxidans (T-4 strain).
- Application of bacterial treatment in microbial column flotation experiments.
- Evaluation of parameters including cell density, kerosene addition, and column dimensions (L/D ratio).
Main Results:
- Thiobacillus ferrooxidans (T-4) demonstrated high iron-oxidizing activity and effective pyrite leaching.
- Microbial column flotation increased pyrite removal but decreased coal recovery.
- Kerosene addition improved coal recovery and reduced sulfur content but did not enhance pyrite separation.
- A long column flotation (L/D ratio of 12.7) achieved excellent separation, reducing pyritic sulfur to 1.8% with 80% coal recovery and significantly reducing bacterial cell requirements.
Conclusions:
- Microbial column flotation using Thiobacillus ferrooxidans is effective for coal desulfurization.
- Optimized column design (long column) is key for efficient pyrite separation and high coal recovery.
- This method offers a sustainable and cost-effective approach to reducing sulfur content in coal.
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