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Biological sulphide oxidation in a fed-batch reactor.

A J Janssen¹, R Sleyster, C van der Kaa

¹Department of Environmental Technology, Agricultural University Wageningen, Bomenweg 2, 6703 HD Wageningen, The Netherlands.

Biotechnology and Bioengineering

|August 5, 1995

Summary

Oxygen levels control sulphur and sulphate production in Thiobacilli bioreactors. Adjusting oxygen flow rapidly switches microbial metabolism between sulphur and sulphate formation, optimizing elemental sulphur recovery.

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Area of Science:

Microbiology
Environmental Science
Biotechnology

Background:

Sulphide oxidation by Thiobacilli in bioreactors produces sulphur and sulphate.
Controlling end-product formation is crucial for optimizing bioreactor efficiency.
Oxygen availability significantly influences microbial metabolic pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the instantaneous and reversible control of sulphur and sulphate formation by oxygen supply.
To determine optimal oxygen concentrations for sulphur production.
To understand the relationship between biological and chemical sulphide oxidation rates.

Main Methods:

Utilized a mixed culture of Thiobacilli in a sulphide-oxidizing bioreactor.
Manipulated oxygen concentrations and sulphide loading rates.
Monitored end-product formation (sulphur, sulphate, thiosulphate) and reaction kinetics.

Main Results:

Sulphur and sulphate formation are instantaneously and reversibly controlled by oxygen levels.
Sulphur production is favored under oxygen-limited conditions, while sulphate formation predominates at higher oxygen levels.
Rapid switching between sulphur and sulphate formation (<2 hours) is achievable, below microbial doubling times.

Conclusions:

Oxygen concentration is a key factor for controlling Thiobacilli metabolic pathways in sulphide oxidation.
The system's biological oxidation capacity can be lower than chemical oxidation under oxygen limitation, leading to thiosulphate formation.
Elemental sulphur production can be optimized by carefully managing oxygen supply in mixed microbial cultures.