Biological treatment of hydrogen sulfide in an airlift bioreactor with direct gas injection

Abstract

Bioconversion of H2S into elemental sulfur has been investigated using an airlift bioreactor with direct injection of the gas into the bioreactor. Almost complete removal of H2S has been achieved at its inlet concentrations lower than 25 000 ppm. Maximum bioconversion capacity of ca 111.3 g/(m3·h) and up to 93.5% conversion of the inlet sulfide to elemental sulfur was obtained. To further improve the bioreactor performance, factors influencing mass transfer and biological activity should be investigated in future studies