Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Comparative study of using different materials as bacterial carriers to treat hydrogen sulfide

  • Environmental Biotechnology
  • Published:
Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The use of support media for the immobilization of microorganisms is widely known to provide a surface for microbial growth and protect the microorganisms from inhibitory compounds. In this study, molecular sieve, granular porous carbon, and ferric oxide desulfurizer, immobilized with autotrophic bacteria capable of oxidizing ferrous iron to ferric iron, were developed to treat hydrogen sulfide (H2S). Their corresponding bioreactors were referred to as BMS, BPC, and BFO, respectively. H2S loading, gas retention time, hydrogen ion, and aluminous, ferric, and ferrous iron concentrations of recycling effluents were evaluated. Thermogravimetric analysis, Brauner-Emmett-Teller method, and scanning electron microscopy were used to characterize packing materials. Results showed that the elimination capacity was in the order of BFO > BPC > BMS. This study suggested that the material characteristics progressively influenced the deodorization capacities of bioreactors. H2S was oxidized into elemental sulfur and oxidized sulfur species, according to differences of carriers. Furthermore, this study revealed the potential application of simultaneously treating of H2S under extremely acidic conditions.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adib F, Bagreev A, Bandosz TJ (2000) On the possibility of water regeneration of unimpregnated activated carbons used as hydrogen sulfide adsorbents. Ind Eng Chem Res 39(7):2439–2446

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Aizpuru A, Malhautier L, Roux JC, Fanlo JL (2003) Biofiltration of a mixture of volatile organic compounds on granular activated carbon. Biotechnol Bioeng 83(4):479–488

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bandosz TJ (2002) On the adsorption/oxidation of hydrogen sulfide on activated carbons at ambient temperatures. J Colloid Interface Sci 246(1):1–20

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cho KS, Ryu HW, Lee NY (2000) Biological deodorization of hydrogen sulfide using porous lava as a carrier of Thiobacillus thiooxidans. J Biosci Bioeng 90(1):25–31

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Daoud J, Karamanev D (2006) Formation of jarosite during Fe2+ oxidation by Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans. Miner Eng 19:960–967

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Duan HQ, Yan R, Koe LCC (2005) Investigation on the mechanism of H2S removal by biological activated carbon in a horizontal biotrickling filter. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 69(3):350–357

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Duan HQ, Koe LCC, Yan R, Chen XG (2006) Biological treatment of H2S using pellet activated carbon as a carrier of microorganisms in a biofilter. Water Res 40(14):2629–2636

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ebrahimi S, Kleerebezem R, van Loosdrecht MCM, Heijnen JJ (2003) Kinetics of the reactive absorption of hydrogen sulfide into aqueous ferric sulfate solutions. Chem Eng Sci 58(2):417–427

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Elias A, Barona A, Arreguy A, Rios J, Aranguiz I, Penas J (2002) Evaluation of a packing material for the biodegradation of H2S and product analysis. Process Biochem 37(8):813–820

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hirai M, Kamamoto M, Yani M, Shoda M (2001) Comparison of the biological H2S removal characteristics among four inorganic packing materials. J Biosci Bioeng 91(4):396–402

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ikenaga N, Chiyoda N, Matsushima H, Suzuki T (2002) Preparation of activated carbon-supported ferrite for absorbent of hydrogen sulfide at a low temperature. Fuel 81:1569–1576

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jin YM, Veiga MC, Kennes C (2005) Autotrophic deodorization of hydrogen sulfide in a biotrickling filter. J Chem Technol Biotechnol 80(9):998–1004

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kim S, Deshusses MA (2008) Determination of mass transfer coefficients for packing materials used in biofilters and biotrickling filters for air pollution control. 1. Experimental results. Chem Eng Sci 63(4):841–855

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kim JH, Rene ER, Park HS (2008) Biological oxidation of hydrogen sulfide under steady and transient state conditions in an immobilized cell biofilter. Bioresour Technol 99(3):583–588

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lee SK, Shoda M (1989) Biological deodorization using activated carbon fabric as a carrier of microorganisms. J Ferment Bioeng 68(6):437–442

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liang J, Koe L, Chiaw C, Ning XG (2007) Application of biological activated carbon as a low pH biofilter medium for gas mixture treatment. Biotechnol Bioeng 96(6):1092–1100

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ma YL, Zhao JL, Yang BL (2006a) Removal of H2S in waste gases by an activated carbon bioreactor. Int Biodeterior Biodegrad 57(2):93–98

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ma YL, Yang BL, Zhao JL (2006b) Removal of H2S by Thiobacillus denitrificans immobilized on different matrices. Bioresour Technol 97(16):2041–2046

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Malik A, Dastidar MG, Roychoudhury PK (2004) Factors limiting bacterial iron oxidation in biodesulphurization system. Int J Miner Process 73(1):13–21

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nemati M, Harrison S, Hansford G, Webb C (1998) Biological oxidation of ferrous sulphate by Thiobacillus ferrooxidans: a review on the kinetic aspects. Biochem Eng J 1:171–190

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ng YL, Yan R, Chen XG, Geng AL, Gould WD, Liang DT, Koe LC (2004) Use of activated carbon as a support medium for H2S biofiltration and effect of bacterial immobilization on available pore surface. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 66(3):259–265

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Oyarzun P, Arancibia F, Canales C, Aroca GE (2003) Biofiltration of high concentration of hydrogen sulphide using Thiobacillus thioparus. Process Biochem 39(2):165–170

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pagella C, De Faveri DM (2000) H2S gas treatment by iron bioprocess. Chem Eng Sci 55(12):2185–2194

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pogliani C, Donati E (2000) Immobilisation of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans: importance of jarosite precipitation. Process Biochem 35:997–1004

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sand W (1989) Ferric iron reduction by Thiobacillus ferrooxidans at extremely low pH-values. Biogeochemistry 7:195–201

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sercu B, Boon N, Verstraete W, Van Langenhove H (2006) H2S degradation is reflected by both the activity and composition of the microbial community in a compost biofilter. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 72(5):1090–1098

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Smith JR, Luthy GR, Middleton AC (1988) Microbial ferrous iron oxidation in acidic solution. J Water Pollut Control Fed 60(5):518–529

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang L, De Schryver P, De Gusseme B, De Muynck W, Boon N, Verstraete W (2008) Chemical and biological technologies for hydrogen sulfide emission control in sewer systems: a review. Water Res 42:1–12

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Dongchuan Road 800, Shanghai, 200240, People’s Republic of China

    Zhiling Li, Tonghua Sun, Nanwen Zhu, Xinde Cao & Jinping Jia

Authors
  1. Zhiling Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Tonghua Sun
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Nanwen Zhu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Xinde Cao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Jinping Jia
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jinping Jia.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Li, Z., Sun, T., Zhu, N. et al. Comparative study of using different materials as bacterial carriers to treat hydrogen sulfide. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 81, 579–588 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-008-1745-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-008-1745-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation