Biotreatment of refinery spent sulfidic caustic by specialized cultures and acclimated activated sludge

Journal Article · Tue Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1996 · Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02941775· OSTI ID:598248

Kolhatkar, A; Sublette, K L ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Tulsa, OK (United States)

Sodium hydroxide solutions are used in petroleum refining to remove hydrogen sulfide from various hydrocarbon streams. The resulting sulfide-laden waste stream is called spent sulfidic caustic. Two microbial cultures have been investigated to compare their ability to biotreat refinery spent sulfidic caustic. One culture was a specialized flocculated culture of the autotrophic sulfide oxidizer, Thiobacillus denitrificans strain F. The other was an acclimated culture enriched from a refinery-activated sludge treatment system. Both cultures were capable of complete oxidation of caustic sulfides to sulfate at specific activities of 1.0-1.3 mmol sulfide/h/g mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS). However, the enrichment culture exhibited less stable operation in terms of hydrogen sulfide emissions and was less tolerant of reduced temperatures. Use of caustic carbonates as the sole carbon source for sulfide oxidizers and the effect of refinery waste water on spent caustic treatment was also investigated. 10 refs., 3 figs., 3 tabs.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 598248
• Report Number(s): CONF-950587--
• Journal Information: Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Journal Name: Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology Vol. 57-58; ISSN ABIBDL; ISSN 0273-2289
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
55 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
BASIC STUDIES
ACTIVATED SLUDGE PROCESS
BACILLUS
BIOCONVERSION
BIOREACTORS
CARBON SOURCES
HYDROCARBONS
HYDROGEN SULFIDES
PETROLEUM REFINERIES
REMEDIAL ACTION
SODIUM HYDROXIDES
SPENT LIQUORS
SULFUR-OXIDIZING BACTERIA
WASTE PROCESSING
WASTE WATER