Oxidation of hydrogen sulfide by Thiobacillus denitrificans: desulfurization of natural gas

Journal Article · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1987 · Biotechnol. Bioeng.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/bit.260290216· OSTI ID:6568556

Sublette, K L

It has been demonstrated that Thiobacillus denitrificans may be readily cultivated anaerobically in batch reactors on H/sub 2/S (g) under sulfide-limiting conditions. Under these conditions sulfide concentrations in the culture medium were less than 1 ..mu..M, resulting in very low concentrations of H/sub 2/S in the reactor outlet gas. The stoichiometry of the reaction was determined, and stable reactor operation was demonstrated at reactor loadings as high as 4-5 mmol H/sub 2/S oxidized/h g biomass. Maximum loading was estimated at 5.4-7.6 mmol H/sub 2/S/h g biomass under the conditions employed in this study. Indicators of reactor upset were determined and recovery from upset conditions demonstrated. Barotolerance of T. denitrificans to 12.5 MPa as well as a relative insensitivity to pressurization-depressurization cycles were also demonstrated. T. denitrificans was observed to be very sensitive to CH/sub 3/SH but relatively tolerant of CS/sub 2/, COS, and CH/sub 3/SCH/sub 3/.

• Research Organization: Combustion Engineering C-E Natco Division, Tulsa, OK
• OSTI ID: 6568556
• Journal Information: Biotechnol. Bioeng.; (United States), Journal Name: Biotechnol. Bioeng.; (United States) Vol. 29:2; ISSN BIBIA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

03 NATURAL GAS
030300* -- Natural Gas-- Drilling
Production
& Processing
550700 -- Microbiology
560300 -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANAEROBIC CONDITIONS
BACTERIA
BATCH CULTURE
BIOREACTORS
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DESULFURIZATION
ENERGY SOURCES
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GASES
GROWTH
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROGEN SULFIDES
METABOLISM
MICROORGANISMS
NATURAL GAS
OXIDATION
STOICHIOMETRY
SULFIDES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SULFUR-OXIDIZING BACTERIA