Hydrogen sulfide removal from air by Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans in a trickle bed reactor.
A strain of Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans immobilized in polyurethane foam was utilized for H(2)S removal in a bench-scale trickle-bed reactor, testing the limits of acidity and SO(4) (2-) accumulation. The use of this acidophilic strain resulted in remarkable stability in the performance of the system. The reactor maintained a >98-99 % H(2)S removal efficiency for c of up to 66 ppmv and empty bed residence time <or=12-15 s. Removal of >98 % H(2)S was achieved under steady-state conditions, over the pH range of 0.44-7.30. Despite the accumulation of acidity and SO(4) (2-) (up to 97 g/L), the system operated without inhibition.
Ramirez
M
M
Department of Chemical Engineering, Food Technology and Environmental Technologies, Faculty of Sciences, University of Cádiz, 11510, Cádiz, Spain.
Gómez
J M
JM
Cantero
D
D
Páca
J
J
Halecký
M
M
Kozliak
E I
EI
Sobotka
M
M
D013856:Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans / Q000378:metabolism*; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000378:metabolism*; D019149:Bioreactors / Q000382:microbiology*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide / Q000378:metabolism*
D000393:Air Pollutants; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide