Use of x-ray computed tomography to examine microbial desulfurization of lump coal

Journal Article · · Energy Fuel; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/ef00001a014· OSTI ID:6573523

Spiro, C L; Holmes, D S; Lobos, J; Maylotte, D H

The bacterial removal of pyritic sulfur from in situ deposits of coal deserves attention. The process has the advantage of economy and extended periods of time to carry out the sulfur removal. For example, some projected coal reserves are not expected to be mined for another 25-50 years. Possibly a culture and appropriate medium could be admitted to the seam and be allowed to slowly permeate the coal for sufficient time that significant desulfurization occurs. A fair assessment of the in situ desulfurization kinetics and efficiency has not been made for wont of an adequate assay. Therefore, as a preliminary step to examine the feasibility of in situ pyrite removal the authors have investigated the bacterial removal of the pyrite from lump coal by using X-ray computed tomography to follow the dissolution of pyrite inclusions. It is concluded that X-ray computed tomography is an effective tool to assay in situ phenomena. In particular, mixed cultures of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans and associated acidophilic bacteria were used to treat a Lower Kittanning seam high-volatile A bituminous coal. It was demonstrated that pyrite inclusions can be removed at a depth of 17 mm within the lump over a 4-month period. 19 references, 4 figures, 2 tables.

• Research Organization: General Electric Corporate Research and Development Lab., Schenectady, NY
• DOE Contract Number: AC21-82MC19210
• OSTI ID: 6573523
• Journal Information: Energy Fuel; (United States), Journal Name: Energy Fuel; (United States) Vol. 1:1; ISSN ENFUE
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
010402* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Purification & Upgrading
BACILLUS
BACTERIA
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COAL
COAL DEPOSITS
COAL SEAMS
DESULFURIZATION
DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
IN-SITU PROCESSING
IRON COMPOUNDS
IRON SULFIDES
MATERIALS
MICROORGANISMS
MINERAL RESOURCES
MINERALS
PROCESSING
PYRITE
REMOVAL
RESOURCES
SULFIDE MINERALS
SULFIDES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SULFUR-OXIDIZING BACTERIA
THIOBACILLUS FERROXIDANS
TIME DEPENDENCE
TOMOGRAPHY
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS