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Johnston KAKY, van Lankveld M, de Rink R, Mol AR, Keesman KJ, Buisman CJN. Influence of oxidation-reduction potential and pH on polysulfide concentrations and chain lengths in the biological desulfurization process under haloalkaline conditions. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 259:121795. [PMID: 38889663 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2024] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
Biological desulfurization under haloalkaline conditions has been applied worldwide to remove hydrogen sulfide (H2S) from sour gas steams. The process relies on sulfide-oxidizing bacteria (SOB) to oxidize H2S to elemental sulfur (S8), which can then be recovered and reused. Recently, a dual-reactor biological desulfurization system was implemented where an anaerobic (sulfidic) bioreactor was incorporated as an addition to a micro-oxic bioreactor, allowing for higher S8 selectivity by limiting by-product formation. The highly sulfidic bioreactor environment enabled the SOB to remove (poly)sulfides (Sx2-) in the absence of oxygen, with Sx2- speculated as a main substrate in the removal pathway, thus making it vital to understand its role in the process. The SOB are influenced by the oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) set-point of the micro-oxic bioreactor as it is used to control the product of oxidation (S8 vs. SO42-), while the uptake of Sx2- by SOB has been qualitatively linked to pH. Therefore, to quantify these effects, this work determined the concentration and speciation of Sx2- in the biological desulfurization process under various pH values and ORP set-points. The total Sx2- concentrations in the sulfidic zone increased at elevated pH (8.9) compared to low pH (< 8.0), with on average 3.3 ± 1.0 mM-S more Sx2-. Chain lengths varied, with S72- only doubling in concentration while S52- increased 9 fold, which is in contrast with observations from abiotic systems. Changes to the ORP set-point of the micro-oxic reactor did not produce substantial changes in Sx2- concentration in the sulfidic zone. This illustrates that the reduction degree of the SOB in the micro-oxic bioreactor does not enhance their ability to interact with Sx2- in the sulfidic bioreactor. This increased understanding of how both pH and ORP affect changes in Sx2- concentration and chain length can lead to improved efficiency and design of the dual-reactor biological desulfurization process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kestral A K Y Johnston
- Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Oostergoweg 9 8911 CE Leeuwarden, Netherlands; Environmental Technology, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 17 6700 AA, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Mark van Lankveld
- Environmental Technology, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 17 6700 AA, Wageningen, Netherlands; Paqell B.V., Reactorweg 301 3542 CE Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Rieks de Rink
- Environmental Technology, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 17 6700 AA, Wageningen, Netherlands; Paqell B.V., Reactorweg 301 3542 CE Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Annemerel R Mol
- Environmental Technology, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 17 6700 AA, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Karel J Keesman
- Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Oostergoweg 9 8911 CE Leeuwarden, Netherlands; Mathematical and Statistical Methods - Biometris, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 16 6700 AA, Wageningen, Netherlands.
| | - Cees J N Buisman
- Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Oostergoweg 9 8911 CE Leeuwarden, Netherlands; Environmental Technology, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 17 6700 AA, Wageningen, Netherlands
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Gao J, Wu J, Chen S, Chen Y. Nitrogen removal from pharmaceutical wastewater using simultaneous nitrification-denitrification coupled with sulfur denitrification in full-scale system. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2024; 393:130066. [PMID: 37984670 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2023.130066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Fermentation pharmaceutical wastewater (FPW) containing excessive ammonium and low chemical oxygen demand (COD)/nitrogen ratio (C/N ratio) brings serious environmental risks. The stepwise nitrogen removal was achieved in a full-scale anaerobic/aerobic/anoxic treatment system with well-constructed consortia, that enables simultaneous partial nitrification-denitrification coupled with sulfur autotrophic denitrification (SPND-SAD) (∼99 % (NH4+-N) and ∼98 % (TN) removals) at the rate of 0.8-1.2 kg-N/m3/d. Inoculating simultaneous nitrification-denitrification (SND) consortia in O1 tank decreased the consumed ΔCOD and ΔCOD/ΔTN of A1 + O1 tank, resulting in the occurrence of short-cut SND at low C/N ratio. In SAD process (A2 tank), bio-generated polysulfides reacted with HS- to rearrange into shorter polysulfides, enhancing sulfur bioavailability and promoting synergistic SAD removal. PICRUSt2 functional prediction indicated that bioaugmentation increased genes related to Nitrogen/Sulfur/Carbohydrate/Xenobiotics metabolism. Key functional gene analysis highlighted the enrichment of nirS and soxB critical for SPND-SAD system. This work provides new insights into the application of bioaugmentation for FPW treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Gao
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Ecological Remediation for Industrial Agglomeration Area, School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Jingyu Wu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Ecological Remediation for Industrial Agglomeration Area, School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Shuyan Chen
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Ecological Remediation for Industrial Agglomeration Area, School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Yuancai Chen
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Ecological Remediation for Industrial Agglomeration Area, School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China.
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Johnston KKY, van Lankveld M, de Rink R, Roman P, Klok JBM, Mol AR, Keesman KJ, Buisman CJN. Polysulfide Concentration and Chain Length in the Biological Desulfurization Process: Effect of Biomass Concentration and the Sulfide Loading Rate. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:13530-13540. [PMID: 37639370 PMCID: PMC10501124 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c03017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Removal of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) can be achieved using the sustainable biological desulfurization process, where H2S is converted to elemental sulfur using sulfide-oxidizing bacteria (SOB). A dual-bioreactor process was recently developed where an anaerobic (sulfidic) bioreactor was used between the absorber column and micro-oxic bioreactor. In the absorber column and sulfidic bioreactor, polysulfides (Sx2-) are formed due to the chemical equilibrium between H2S and sulfur (S8). Sx2- is thought to be the intermediate for SOB to produce sulfur via H2S oxidation. In this study, we quantify Sx2-, determine their chain-length distribution under high H2S loading rates, and elucidate the relationship between biomass and the observed biological removal of sulfides under anaerobic conditions. A linear relationship was observed between Sx2- concentration and H2S loading rates at a constant biomass concentration. Increasing biomass concentrations resulted in a lower measured Sx2- concentration at similar H2S loading rates in the sulfidic bioreactor. Sx2- of chain length 6 (S62-) showed a substantial decrease at higher biomass concentrations. Identifying Sx2- concentrations and their chain lengths as a function of biomass concentration and the sulfide loading rate is key in understanding and controlling sulfide uptake by the SOB. This knowledge will contribute to a better understanding of how to reach and maintain a high selectivity for S8 formation in the dual-reactor biological desulfurization process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kestral
A. K. Y. Johnston
- Environmental
Technology, Wageningen University &
Research, P.O. Box 17, 6700
AA Wageningen, The
Netherlands
- Wetsus,
European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Oostergoweg 9, 8911 AD Leeuwarden, The Netherlands
| | - Mark van Lankveld
- Environmental
Technology, Wageningen University &
Research, P.O. Box 17, 6700
AA Wageningen, The
Netherlands
- Paqell
B.V., Reactorweg 301, 3542 AD Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Rieks de Rink
- Environmental
Technology, Wageningen University &
Research, P.O. Box 17, 6700
AA Wageningen, The
Netherlands
- Paqell
B.V., Reactorweg 301, 3542 AD Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Pawel Roman
- Wetsus,
European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Oostergoweg 9, 8911 AD Leeuwarden, The Netherlands
| | - Johannes B. M. Klok
- Wetsus,
European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Oostergoweg 9, 8911 AD Leeuwarden, The Netherlands
| | - Annemerel R. Mol
- Environmental
Technology, Wageningen University &
Research, P.O. Box 17, 6700
AA Wageningen, The
Netherlands
| | - Karel J. Keesman
- Wetsus,
European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Oostergoweg 9, 8911 AD Leeuwarden, The Netherlands
- Mathematical
and Statistical Methods − Biometris, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 16, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Cees J. N. Buisman
- Environmental
Technology, Wageningen University &
Research, P.O. Box 17, 6700
AA Wageningen, The
Netherlands
- Wetsus,
European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Oostergoweg 9, 8911 AD Leeuwarden, The Netherlands
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Bacterial Biological Factories Intended for the Desulfurization of Petroleum Products in Refineries. FERMENTATION-BASEL 2023. [DOI: 10.3390/fermentation9030211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
The removal of sulfur by deep hydrodesulfurization is expensive and environmentally unfriendly. Additionally, sulfur is not separated completely from heterocyclic poly-aromatic compounds. In nature, several microorganisms (Rhodococcus erythropolis IGTS8, Gordonia sp., Bacillus sp., Mycobacterium sp., Paenibacillus sp. A11-2 etc.) have been reported to remove sulfur from petroleum fractions. All these microbes remove sulfur from recalcitrant organosulfur compounds via the 4S pathway, showing potential for some organosulfur compounds only. Activity up to 100 µM/g dry cell weights is needed to meet the current demand for desulfurization. The present review describes the desulfurization capability of various microorganisms acting on several kinds of sulfur sources. Genetic engineering approaches on Gordonia sp. and other species have revealed a variety of good substrate ranges of desulfurization, both for aliphatic and aromatic organosulfur compounds. Whole genome sequence analysis and 4S pathway inhibition by a pTeR group inhibitor have also been discussed. Now, emphasis is being placed on how to commercialize the microbes for industrial-level applications by incorporating biodesulfurization into hydrodesulfurization systems. Thus, this review summarizes the potentialities of microbes for desulfurization of petroleum. The information included in this review could be useful for researchers as well as the economical commercialization of bacteria in petroleum industries.
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