Comparison of Autotrophic and Mixotrophic Biofilters for H2S Removal
Publication: Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 124, Issue 4
Abstract
We demonstrate that the facultative chemoautotroph Thiobacillus novellus CH 3 removes hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas in continuous reactors under nutrient-limiting conditions. Extensive tests including removal characteristics, metabolic products, and removal efficiencies of H2S by T. novellus CH 3 were conducted in autotrophic and mixotrophic environments. The optimal pH value and temperature required to remove hydrogen sulfide are found to be pH 7 and 26°C. The biofilter had an H2S removal efficiency greater than 99.5% under the mixotrophic condition after 10-day operation. The results show that the maximum removal rate and saturation constant were 1.9 g S/d per kg bead and 69.2 ppm, respectively. The main metabolic product of H2S oxidation was determined to be sulfate, but the conversion ratio was dependent on the growth environment. These results suggest that the mixotrophic potential of T. novellus CH 3 biofilter provides a significant advantage in H2S removal over autotrophic biofilters.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 124 • Issue 4 • April 1998
Pages: 362 - 367
Copyright
Copyright © 1998 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Published online: Apr 1, 1998
Published in print: Apr 1998
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