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Sulfate-reduction, sulfide-oxidation and elemental sulfur bioreduction process: modeling and experimental validation
Xijun Xu1, Chuan Chen1, Duu-Jong Lee2
1State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China.
Bioresource Technology
|September 3, 2013
Summary
This study models sulfate reduction and sulfide oxidation, revealing oxygen to sulfide ratio controls elemental sulfur formation and its subsequent bioreduction. Ignoring this bioreduction overestimates elemental sulfur yield.
Area of Science:
- Environmental microbiology
- Biogeochemical cycles
- Bioprocess engineering
Background:
- Sulfate-reducing (SR) and sulfide-oxidizing (SO) processes are crucial in sulfur cycling.
- Accurate modeling of these coupled processes is essential for understanding and managing sulfur transformations in various environments.
- Elemental sulfur (S(0)) is an intermediate that can be further processed, impacting overall sulfur fate.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe and model the coupled sulfate-reducing and sulfide-oxidizing (SR+SO) process.
- To investigate the influence of the oxygen to sulfide ratio (ROS) on SR+SO kinetics and elemental sulfur dynamics.
- To validate the model using independent experimental data from denitrifying sulfide removal (DSR) systems.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a Monod-type kinetic model to simulate the SR+SO process.
- Estimated and reported best-fit model parameters.
- Correlated model predictions with experimental data from SR+SO tests and DSR systems.
Main Results:
- The molar ratio of oxygen to sulfide (ROS) significantly impacts the kinetics of the SR+SO process.
- Elemental sulfur (S(0)) is formed during sulfide oxidation but can be subsequently consumed by sulfur-reducing bacteria, leading to sulfide rebound.
- The model accurately correlated experimental data, and its validity was confirmed by independent DSR tests.
Conclusions:
- The oxygen to sulfide ratio is a key factor controlling S(0) formation and its subsequent bioreduction.
- Failure to account for S(0) bioreduction can lead to an overestimation of S(0) yield.
- The developed Monod-type model provides a robust framework for understanding and predicting coupled SR+SO processes.
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