Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Biofiltration of H2S-rich biogas using Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Biogas has limited use in energy generation mainly due to the presence of hydrogen sulfide (H2S). Currently, most of the techniques employed in the removal of H2S from biogas have a chemical base, with high material costs and generating secondary pollutants. Biological processes for H2S removal have become effective and economical alternative techniques to traditional gas-treatment systems based on physicochemical techniques. Therefore, the aim of this work was to investigate the performance of a bench-scale biofilter for the removal of H2S present in synthetic biogas. In addition, CO2 and CH4 concentrations in the outlet biogas were evaluated. The inoculum used in the experiment was composed of Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans fixed on a packing of wood chips. Synthetic biogas was supplied to the system with a composition of 60 % CH4, 39 % CO2 and 1 % H2S. The biofilter operated continuously for 37 days with an average H2S removal efficiency of 75 ± 13 % and maximum of 97 %. The elimination capacity of the system reached an average of 130 ± 23 g m−3 h−1 and a maximum of 169 g m3 h−1. The biofiltration system showed an average reduction of only 6 % in CH4 concentration from biogas. Thus, besides being efficient in the removal of H2S, the system was able to maintain the biogas energy value.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abatzoglou N, Boivin S (2009) A review of biogas purification processes. Biofuels Bioprod Bioref 3:42–71

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ahmed W, Shareefdeen ZM, Jabbar NA (2014) Dynamic modeling and analysis of biotrickling filters in continuous operation for H2S removal. Clean Technol Environ Policy 16:1757–1765

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Babar ZB, Shareefdeen Z (2014) Management and control of air emissions from electronic industries. Clean Technol Environ Policy 16:69–77

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barona A, Elías A, Amurrio A, Cano I, Arias R (2005) Hydrogen sulphide adsorption on a waste material used in bioreactors. Biochem Eng J 24:79–86

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Barona A, Elías A, Arias R, Cano I, González R (2004) Biofilter response to gradual and sudden variations in operating conditions. Biochem Eng J 22:25–31

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Boving TB, Neary K (2007) Attenuation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from urban stormwater runoff by wood filters. J Contam Hydrol 91:43–57

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Carvalho LM, Schwedt G (2001) Polarographic determination of dithionite and its decomposition products: kinetic aspects, stabilizers, and analytical application. Anal Chim Acta 436:293–300

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chaiprapat S, Mardthing R, Kantachote D, Wong SK (2011) Removal of hydrogen sulfide by complete aerobic oxidation in acidic biofiltration. Process Biochem 46:344–352

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Charnnok B, Suksaroj T, Boonswang P, Chaiprapat S (2013) Oxidation of hydrogen sulfide in biogas using dissolved oxygen in the extreme acidic biofiltration operation. Bioresour Technol 131:492–499

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chen L, Hoff SJ, Koziel JA, Cai L, Zelle B, Sun G (2008) Performance evaluation of a wood-chip based biofilter using solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy-olfactometry. Bioresour Technol 99:7767–7780

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cho KS, Ryu HW, Lee NY (2000) Biological deodorization of hydrogen sulfide using porous lava as a carrier of Thiobacillus thiooxidans. J Biosci Bioeng 90:25–31

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chung YC, Huang C, Tseng CP (1996) Operation optimization of Thiobacillus thioparus CHl1 biofilter for hydrogen sulfide removal. J Biotechnol 52:31–38

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chung YC, Huang C, Tseng CP (2001) Biological elimination of H2S and NH3 from wastegases by biofilter packed with immobilized heterotrophic bacteria. Chemosphere 43:1043–1050

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cozma P, Wukovits W, Mamaliga I, Friedl A, Gavrilescu M (2014) Modeling and simulation of high pressure water scrubbing technology applied for biogas upgrading. Clean Technol Environ Policy. doi:10.1007/s10098-014-0787-7

    Google Scholar 

  • Dias D, Nascimento PC, Jost CL, Bohrer D, Carvalho LM, Koschinsky A (2010) Voltammetric determination of low-molecular-weight sulfur compounds in hydrothermal vent fluids—studies with hydrogen sulfide, methanethiol, ethanethiol and propanethiol. Electroanalysis 22:1066–1071

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Díaz I, Lopes AC, Pérez SI, Fdz-Polanco M (2010) Performance evaluation of oxygen, air and nitrate for the microaerobic removal of hydrogen sulphide in biogas from sludge digestion. Bioresour Technol 101:7724–7730

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Díaz I, Pérez SI, Ferrero EM, Fdz-Polanco M (2011) Effect of oxygen dosing point and mixing on the microaerobic removal of hydrogen sulphide in sludge digesters. Bioresour Technol 102:3768–3775

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DSMZ (2014) Thiobacillus ferrooxidans medium with thiosulfate. Leibniz-Institut DSMZ—Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen GmbH/Germany. http://www.dsmz.de/microorganisms/medium/pdf/DSMZ_Medium71.pdf. Accessed 22 Sept 2014

  • Duan H, Koe LCC, Yan R, Chen X (2006) Biological treatment of H2S using pellet activated carbon as a carrier of microorganisms in a biofilter. Water Res 40:2629–2636

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Duan H, Yan R, Koe LCC, Wang X (2007) Combined effect of adsorption and biodegradation of biological activated carbon on H2S biotrickling filtration. Chemosphere 66:1684–1691

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dumont E, Andrès Y, Cloirec PL, Gaudin F (2008) Evaluation of a new packing material for H2S removed by biofiltration. Biochem Eng J 42:120–127

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Elias A, Barona A, Arreguy A, Rios J, Aranguiz I, Peñas J (2002) Evaluation of a packing material for the biodegradation of H2S and product analysis. Process Biochem 37:813–820

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fernández M, Ramírez M, Gómez JM, Cantero D (2014) Biogas biodesulfurization in an anoxic biotrickling filter packed with open-pore polyurethane foam. J Hazard Mater 264:529–535

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fernández M, Ramírez M, Pérez RM, Gómez JM, Cantero D (2013) Hydrogen sulphide removal from biogas by an anoxic biotrickling filter packed with Pall rings. Chem Eng J 225:456–463

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fischer ME (2010) Biogas purification: H2S removal using biofiltration. Dissertation (Master of Applied Science in Chemical Engineering), University of Waterloo, Waterloo

  • Fortuny M, Baeza JA, Gamisans X, Casas C, Lafuente J, Deshusses MA, Gabriel D (2008) Biological sweetening of energy gases mimics in biotrickling filters. Chemosphere 71:10–17

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Galera MM, Cho E, Tuuguu E, Park SJ, Lee C, Chung WJ (2008) Effects of pollutant concentration ratio on the simultaneous removal of NH3, H2S and toluene gases using rock wool-compost biofilter. J Hazard Mater 152:624–631

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gaudin F, Andres Y, Cloirec PL (2008) Packing material formulation for odorous emission biofiltration. Chemosphere 70:958–966

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hirai M, Kamamoto M, Yani M, Shoda M (2001) Comparison of the biological H2S removal characteristics among four inorganic packing materials. J Biosci Bioeng 91:396–402

  • Holm-Nielsen JB, Al Seadi T, Oleskowicz-Popiel P (2009) The future of anaerobic digestion and biogas utilization. Bioresour Technol 100:5478–5484

  • Jiang X, Sommer S, Christensen K (2011) A review of the biogas industry in China. Energy Policy 39:6073–6081

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jiang X, Tay JH (2011) Removal mechanisms of H2S using exhausted carbon in biofiltration. J Hazard Mater 185:1543–1549

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jiang X, Yan R, Tay JH (2009) Developing sulfide-oxidizing biofilm on H2S-exhausted carbon for sustainable bio-regeneration and biofiltration. J Hazard Mater 164:726–732

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jin Y, Veiga MC, Kennes C (2006) Performance optimization of the fungal biodegradation of [alpha]-pinene in gas-phase biofilter. Process Biochem 41:1722–1728

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jones K, Martinez A, Rizwan M, Boswell J (2005) Sulfur toxicity and media capacity for H2S removal in biofilters packed with a natural or a commercial granular medium. J Air Waste Manag Assoc 55:415–420

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kafle GK, Chen L, Neibling H, He BB (2015) Field evaluation of wood bark-based down-flow biofilters for mitigation of odor, ammonia, and hydrogen sulfide emissions from confined swine nursery barns. J Environ Manag 147:164–174

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kim H, Kim YJ, Chung JS, Xie Q (2002) Long-term operation of a biofilter for simultaneous removal of H2S and NH3. J Air Waste Manag Assoc 52:1389–1398

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kim S, Deshusses MA (2008) Determination of mass transfer coefficients for packing materials used in biofilters and biotrickling filters for air pollution control. 1. Experimental results. Chem Eng Sci 63:841–855

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kymäläinen M, Lähde K, Arnold M, Kurola JM, Romantschuk M, Kautola H (2012) Biogasification of biowaste and sewage sludge—measurement of biogas quality. J Environ Manag 95:S122–S127

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee EY, Lee NY, Cho K, Ryu HW (2006) Removal of hydrogen sulfide by sulfate-resistant Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans AZ11. J Biosci Bioeng 101:309–314

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li Z, Sun T, Zhu N, Cao X, Jia J (2008) Comparative study of using different materials as bacterial carriers to treat hydrogen sulfide. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 81:579–588

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lin WC, Chen YP, Tseng CP (2013) Pilot-scale chemical-biological system for efficient H2S removal from biogas. Bioresour Technol 135:283–291

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ma Y, Zhao J, Yang B (2006) Removal of H2S in waste gases by an activated carbon bioreactor. Int Biodeterior Biodegrad 57:93–98

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Maestre JP, Rovira R, Álvarez-Hornos FJ, Fortuny M, Lafuente J, Gamisans X, Gabriel D (2010) Bacterial community analysis of a gas-phase biotrickling filter for biogas mimics desulfurization through the rRNA approach. Chemosphere 80:872–880

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Martinez A, Rathibandla S, Jones K, Cabezas J (2008) Biofiltration of wastewater lift station emissions: evaluation of VOC removal in the presence of H2S. Clean Technol Environ Policy 10:81–87

  • Metcalf & Eddy. Inc. (2003) Wastewater engineering: treatment and reuse, 4th edn. Mc-Graw Hill Inc., New York

  • Mohseni M, Allen DG, Nichole KM (1998) Biofiltration of alpha-pinene and its application to the treatment of pulp and paper air emission. Tappi J 81:205–211

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Montebello AM, Baeza M, Lafuente J, Gabriel D (2010) Monitoring and performance of a desulphurizing biotrickling filter with an integrated continuous gas/liquid flow analyser. Chem Eng J 165:500–507

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Morgan-Sagastume JM, Noyola A (2006) Hydrogen sulfide removal by compost biofiltration: effect of mixing the filter media on operational factors. Bioresour Technol 97:1546–1553

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mudliar S, Giri B, Padoley K, Satpute D, Dixit R, Bhatt P, Pandey R, Juwarkar A, Vaidya A (2010) Bioreactors for treatment of VOCs and odours—a review. J Environ Manag 91:1039–1054

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Namgung HK, Ahn H, Song J (2012) Development of a two-phase bioreactor for the biological removal of hydrogen sulfide from biogas. Energy Proced 14:1143–1148

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nisola GM, Tuuguu E, Farnazo DM, Han M, Kim Y, Cho E, Chung WJ (2010) Hydrogen sulfide degradation characteristics of Bordetella sp. Sulf-8 in a biotrickling filter. Bioprocess Biosyst Eng 33:1131–1138

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Omri I, Bouallagui H, Aouidi F, Godon JJ, Hamdi M (2011) H2S gas biological removal efficiency and bacterial community diversity in biofilter treating wastewater odor. Bioresour Technol 102:10202–10209

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Oyarzún P, Arancibia F, Canales C, Aroca GE (2003) Biofiltration of high concentration of hydrogen sulphide using Thiobacillus thioparus. Process Biochem 39:165–170

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pantoja JLR, Sader LT, Damianovic MHRZ, Foresti E, Silva EL (2010) Performance evaluation of packing materials in the removal of hydrogen sulphide in gas-phase biofilters: polyurethane foam, sugarcane bagasse, and coconut fibre. Chem Eng J 158:441–450

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Park DH, Cha JM, Ryua HW, Lee GW, Yu EY, Rhee JY, Park JJ, Kim SW, Lee IW, Joe YI, Ryu YW, Hur BK, Park JK, Park K (2002) Hydrogen sulfide removal utilizing immobilized Thiobacillus sp. IW with Ca-alginate bead. Biochem Eng J 11:167–173

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Persson M, Jönsson O, Wellinger A (2006) Biogas upgrading to vehicle fuel standards and grid injection. In: IEA bioenergy task 37—energy from biogas and landfill gas

  • Potivichayanon S, Pokethitiyook P, Kruatrachue M (2006) Hydrogen sulfide removal by a novel fixed-film bioscrubber system. Process Biochem 41:708–715

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ramírez M, Gómez JM, Aroca G, Cantero D (2009) Removal of hydrogen sulfide by immobilized Thiobacillus thioparus in a biotrickling filter packed with polyurethane foam. Bioresour Technol 100:4989–4995

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ramírez-Sáenz D, Zarate-Segura PB, Guerrero-Barajas C, García-Peña EI (2009) H2S and volatile fatty acids elimination by biofiltration: clean-up process for biogas potential use. J Hazard Mater 163:1272–1281

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rao AG, Ravichandra P, Jetty A (2006) Operation of biofilter with mixed agricultural residue as filter material: effects of humidification and inlet hydrogen sulfide volume fraction on the performance. Chem Biochem Eng Q 20:189–196

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rasi S, Läntelä J, Rintala J (2011) Trace compounds affecting biogas energy utilisation—a review. Energy Convers Manag 52:3369–3375

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rattanapan C, Kantachote D, Yan R, Boonsawang P (2010) Hydrogen sulfide removal using granular activated carbon biofiltration inoculated with Alcaligenes faecalis T307 isolated from concentrated latex wastewater. Int Biodeterior Biodegrad 64:383–387

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rattanapan C, Ounsaneha W (2012) Removal of hydrogen sulfide gas using biofiltration—a review. Walailak J Sci Technol 9:9–18

    Google Scholar 

  • Rene ER, Murthy DVS, Swaminathan T (2010) Steady- and transient-state effects during the biological oxidation of gas-phase benzene in a continuously operated biofilter. Clean Technol Environ Policy 12:525–535

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schomaker AHHM, Boerboom AAM, Visser A, Pfeifer AE (2000) Anaerobic digestion of agro-industrial wastes: information networks. Technical summary of gas treatment, DG12-SSMI Ed., AD-NETT report

  • Sercu B (2006) Odour removal in relation with the activity and composition of the microbial communities in biofilters and biotrickling filters. PhD thesis (Applied Biological Sciences), Ghent University, Gent

  • Shareefdeen ZM (2012) A biofilter design tool for hydrogen sulfide removal calculations. Clean Technol Environ Policy 14:543–549

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shareefdeen Z, Shaikh AA, Ahmed A (2009) Steady-state biofilter performance under non-isothermal conditions. Chem Eng Process 48:1040–1046

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Singh SP, Prerna P (2009) Review of recent advances in anaerobic packed-bed biogas reactors. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 13:1569–1575

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Syed M, Soreanu G, Falletta P, Béland M (2006) Removal of hydrogen sulfide from gas streams using biological processes—a review. Can Biosyst Eng 48:1–14

    Google Scholar 

  • Truong LVA, Abatzoglou N (2005) A H2S reactive adsorption process for the purification of biogas prior to its use as a bioenergy vector. Biomass Bioenergy 29:142–151

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Van Langenhove H, Wuyts E, Schamp N (1986) Elimination of hydrogen sulphide from odorous air bay a wood bark biofilter. Water Res 20:1471–1476

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vergara-Fernández A, Molina LL, Pulido NA, Aroca G (2007) Effects of gas flow rate, inlet concentration and temperature on the biofiltration of toluene vapors. J Environ Manag 84:115–122

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang C, Chen H, Zeng G, Yu G, Luo S (2010) Biomass accumulation and control strategies in gas biofiltration. Biotechnol Adv 28:531–540

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

Financial supports provided by the CAPES (Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel) and the FATEC (Foundation for the Support of Science and Technology) are gratefully acknowledged.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical Engineering, Center of Technology, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, 97030-070, Brazil

    Bruno Carlesso Aita, Flávio Dias Mayer, Michel Brondani, Ronaldo Hoffmann & Djalma Dias da Silveira

  2. Department of Chemistry, Center of Natural and Exact Sciences, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, 97110-970, Brazil

    Diana Tomazi Muratt

  3. Department of Soils, Center of Rural Sciences, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, 97105-900, Brazil

    Stefen Barbosa Pujol

  4. Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Center of Health Sciences, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, 97119-90, Brazil

    Laura Bedin Denardi

Authors
  1. Bruno Carlesso Aita
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Flávio Dias Mayer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Diana Tomazi Muratt
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Michel Brondani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Stefen Barbosa Pujol
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Laura Bedin Denardi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Ronaldo Hoffmann
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Djalma Dias da Silveira
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Flávio Dias Mayer.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Aita, B.C., Mayer, F.D., Muratt, D.T. et al. Biofiltration of H2S-rich biogas using Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans . Clean Techn Environ Policy 18, 689–703 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10098-015-1043-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10098-015-1043-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation