Extremely acidophilic sulfur-oxidizing bacteria applied in biotechnological processes for gas purification

• Published in: Journal of environmental science and health. Part A, Toxic/hazardous substances & environmental engineering Vol. 47; no. 7; pp. 964 - 969
• Main Authors: Kraakman, Norbertus J. R, Pol, Arjan, Smeulders, Marjan J, Jetten, Mike S. M, Op Den Camp, Huub J. M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Taylor & Francis Group 01-06-2012; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Acidithiobacillus - metabolism; acidophiles; Air Pollutants - metabolism; Air Pollution - prevention & control; bacteria; Biodegradation, Environmental; Biofiltration; Biomass; biomass control; bioreactors; Bioreactors - microbiology; carbon disulfide; Carbon Disulfide - metabolism; Emissions; Gases - metabolism; hydrogen sulfide; Hydrogen Sulfide - metabolism; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; industry; Microorganisms; Nutrient removal; Oxidation-Reduction; Reactors; recycling; Sulfur; sulfur-oxidising bacteria; sulfuric acid; viscose; Waste Disposal, Fluid
• ISSN: 1532-4117; 1093-4529; 1532-4117
• DOI: 10.1080/10934529.2012.667299

Extreme acidophilic (pH ∼ 0.25) microorganisms have been studied and applied to treat volatile sulfur emissions like carbon disulfide. These microorganisms provide opportunities for biomass control and recycling of sulfuric acid using extremely low pH operating conditions as shown in 70 L bench-scale bioreactors. Applying the extreme acidophilic bacteria in full-scale bioreactors treating carbon disulfide in combination with hydrogen sulfide emissions from industrial processes like the viscose industry was shown to be effective with average total sulfur removal efficiency above 90%.