Biodesulfurization of rubber materials

Conference · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1990

OSTI ID:6294231

Torma, A E ^[1]; Raghavan, D ^[2]

---

1. EG and G Idaho, Inc., Idaho Falls, ID (USA)
2. Illinois Univ., Urbana, IL (USA). Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering

One of the most challenging problems in municipal waste treatment is the recycling of polymeric waste materials. The present study has demonstrated the applicability of biotechnological principles in the desulfurization of rubber using shake flask and Warburg respirometric techniques. In terms of oxygen uptake and specific rate of oxygen uptake, it was found that the mixed culture of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans and Thiobacillus thiooxidans was more efficient in this process than the individual pure cultures of these bacteria. Furthermore, the mixed cultures resulted in ten times higher sulfur removals from rubber relative to those of sterile controls. Additional studies are needed to elucidate the mechanisms of biodesulfurization of rubber. It is expected that the development of this process may provide a solution to recycling of car tire materials. 32 refs., 4 figs., 3 tabs.

• Research Organization: EG and G Idaho, Inc., Idaho Falls, ID (USA)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE/CE
• DOE Contract Number: AC07-76ID01570
• OSTI ID: 6294231
• Report Number(s): EGG-M-90382; CONF-901194--11; ON: DE91006122
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320604* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Municipalities & Community Systems-- Municipal Waste Management-- (1980-)
550700 -- Microbiology
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
BACILLUS
BACTERIA
BIOCONVERSION
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DESULFURIZATION
ELASTOMERS
ELEMENTS
MANAGEMENT
MICROORGANISMS
NONMETALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
OXYGEN
POLYMERS
RECYCLING
RUBBERS
SULFUR-OXIDIZING BACTERIA
THIOBACILLUS FERROXIDANS
TIRES
UPTAKE
WASTE MANAGEMENT