Hydrogen Sulfide Gas Treatment by a Chemical‐Biological Process: Chemical Absorption and Biological Oxidation Steps

Abstract

In order to remove high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) gas from anaerobic wastewater treatments in livestock farming, a novel process was evaluated for H₂S gas abatement involving the combination of chemical absorption and biological oxidation processes. In this study, the extensive experiments evaluating the removal efficiency, capacity, and removal characteristics of H₂S gas by the chemical absorption reactor were conducted in a continuous operation. In addition, the effects of initial Fe^2 + concentrations, pH, and glucose concentrations on Fe^2 + oxidation by Thiobacillus ferrooxidans CP9 were also examined. The results showed that the chemical process exhibited high removal efficiencies with H₂S concentrations up to 300 ppm, and nearly no acclimation time was required. The limitation of mass‐transfer was verified as the rate‐determining step in the chemical reaction through model validation. The Fe^2 + production rate was clearly affected by the inlet gas concentration as well as flow rate and a prediction equation of ferrous production was established. The optimal operating conditions for the biological oxidation process were below pH 2.3 and 35°C in which more than 90% Fe^3 + formation ratio was achieved. Interestingly, the optimal glucose concentration in the medium was 0.1%, which favored Fe^2 + oxidation and the growth of T. ferrooxidans CP9.

Keywords:

• Hydrogen sulfide
• Ferric sulfate
• Thiobacillus ferrooxidans
• Glucose

Acknowledgments

The work was supported by Grant NSC 90‐2313‐B‐242‐005 from the National Science Council.