Biological conversion of hydrogen sulfide into elemental sulfur
- Bioengineering Resources, Inc., Fayetteville, AR (United States)
Currently, hydrogen sulfide is removed from process gas streams by a series of reactions at high temperature to produce elemental sulfur in Claus, Stretford or other processes. These physicochemical processes have high intrinsic capital and operating costs, often are restricted by contaminants, and do not effectively remove all the H{sub 2}S. As an alternative, the anaerobic, photosynthetic bacterium, Chlorobium thiosulfatophilum, has been demonstrated to convert hydrogen sulfide to elemental sulfur in a single step at atmospheric conditions. The autotrophic bacterium uses CO{sub 2} as the carbon source. Energy for cell metabolism is provided by incandescent light and the oxidation of H{sub 2}S. A bench scale study has been performed in a CSTR equipped with a sulfur separator. Optimum process conditions have been achieved to maximize cell growth and elemental sulfur production. Near total conversion of H{sub 2}S is achieved in a retention time of a few minutes. High concentrations of H{sub 2}S or organics do not affect the culture. Sulfur recovery by settling is very efficient and near theoretical yields of sulfur are achieved. Economic projections indicate that sour gas can be desulfurized for $0.08-0.12/MSCF. 13 refs.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- FG05-93ER81484
- OSTI ID:
- 530596
- Journal Information:
- Environmental Progress, Vol. 15, Issue 4; Other Information: PBD: Win 1996
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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