title: Analysis of petroleum biodesulfurization in an airlift bioreactor using response surface methodology.
abstract: For the first time, growing cells of Gordonia alkanivorans RIPI90A were used for biodesulfurization (BDS) of diesel. This process was carried out in an internal airlift bioreactor. BDS parameters (oil/water phase ratio and initial sulfur concentration) were optimized in flasks using response surface methodology. Predicted results were found to be in good agreement with experimental results. Initial sulfur concentration had a remarkable effect on BDS process. Maximum removal of sulfur (21 mg/l) can be achieved at oil/water phase ratio of 25% (v/v) and initial sulfur concentration of 28 mg/l. Moreover, effect of superficial gas velocity (Ug) and working volume (v) on volumetric gas liquid mass transfer coefficient was studied in an airlift bioreactor for BDS of diesel. The best results were achieved at Ug and v of 2.5l/min and 6.6l, respectively. Subsequently, BDS of diesel was investigated in an airlift bioreactor under optimized conditions. Sulfur reduction after 30 h was 14 mg/l.
authors.affiliation: School of Chemical Engineering, Department of Life Science Engineering, University College of Engineering, University of Tehran, P.O. Box 11155-4563, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Zahra Azimzadeh
authors.initials: ZA
authors.lastname: Irani
authors.forename: Mohammad Reza
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Mehrnia
authors.forename: Fatemeh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Yazdian
authors.forename: Majid
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Soheily
authors.forename: Ghasemali
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mohebali
authors.forename: Behnam
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rasekh
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental / Q000187:drug effects; D018533:Biomass; D019149:Bioreactors / Q000382:microbiology*; D001709:Biotechnology / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D003470:Culture Media / Q000494:pharmacology; D005742:Gasoline; D033601:Gordonia Bacterium / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction / Q000187:drug effects; D010578:Petroleum / Q000378:metabolism*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013455:Sulfur / Q000302:isolation & purification*
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media; D005742:Gasoline; D010578:Petroleum; D013455:Sulfur