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Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy
Published in: Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy 3/2016

30-09-2015 | Original Paper

Biofiltration of H2S-rich biogas using Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans

Authors: Bruno Carlesso Aita, Flávio Dias Mayer, Diana Tomazi Muratt, Michel Brondani, Stefen Barbosa Pujol, Laura Bedin Denardi, Ronaldo Hoffmann, Djalma Dias da Silveira

Published in: Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy | Issue 3/2016

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Abstract

Biogas has limited use in energy generation mainly due to the presence of hydrogen sulfide (H2S). Currently, most of the techniques employed in the removal of H2S from biogas have a chemical base, with high material costs and generating secondary pollutants. Biological processes for H2S removal have become effective and economical alternative techniques to traditional gas-treatment systems based on physicochemical techniques. Therefore, the aim of this work was to investigate the performance of a bench-scale biofilter for the removal of H2S present in synthetic biogas. In addition, CO2 and CH4 concentrations in the outlet biogas were evaluated. The inoculum used in the experiment was composed of Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans fixed on a packing of wood chips. Synthetic biogas was supplied to the system with a composition of 60 % CH4, 39 % CO2 and 1 % H2S. The biofilter operated continuously for 37 days with an average H2S removal efficiency of 75 ± 13 % and maximum of 97 %. The elimination capacity of the system reached an average of 130 ± 23 g m−3 h−1 and a maximum of 169 g m3 h−1. The biofiltration system showed an average reduction of only 6 % in CH4 concentration from biogas. Thus, besides being efficient in the removal of H2S, the system was able to maintain the biogas energy value.
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Metadata
Title
Biofiltration of H2S-rich biogas using Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans
Authors
Bruno Carlesso Aita
Flávio Dias Mayer
Diana Tomazi Muratt
Michel Brondani
Stefen Barbosa Pujol
Laura Bedin Denardi
Ronaldo Hoffmann
Djalma Dias da Silveira
Publication date
30-09-2015
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy / Issue 3/2016
Print ISSN: 1618-954X
Electronic ISSN: 1618-9558
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10098-015-1043-5

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