Application of Bacillus subtilis for reducing ash and sulfur in coal

The replacement of coal with other energy sources is due to the presence of harmful impurities such as sulfur that can lead to emission of harmful and corrosive gases such as H₂S and SO₂. These gases can affect the human health due to its toxicity. Also, the mineral matter (ash) can cause several types of respiratory system diseases due to the presence of heavy metals and formation of hazardous compounds while burning of coal. In order to avoid the production of such emissions, the researchers all over the world were looking for a methodology that can eliminate or reduce these impurities from coal. Therefore, the current study aims at decreasing the sulfur and ash content in Egyptian coal (Maghara coal), using bioflotation technique. The effect of Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) on the removal/reduction of sulfur and ash was investigated. The affinity of B. subtilis to coal surface was characterized using zeta-potential, adsorption tests and Fourier transform infrared. The bioflotation results showed that, at optimum conditions, a clean coal contains 0.92 % total sulfur and 1.95 % ash and yield exceeding 72 % was obtained from the starting coal containing 3.3 % sulfur and 6.65 % ash.