Abstract
The sulphur found in coal is either part of the molecular structure, is contained in minerals such as pyrite (FeS2), or occurs in minor quantities in the form of sulfate. When pyrite crystals are finely distributed within the coal matrix, mechanical cleaning can only remove part of the pyrite. It can, however, be removed by microbial action requiring only mild reaction conditions. The process involves simple equipment, almost no chemicals, but relatively long reaction times and, eventually, disposal of dissolved iron sulfate. Investment and operating costs are estimated for different process configurations on an industrial scale.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Meyer, R. A.: Coal desulphurization. New York: Marcel Dekker (1977)
Olsen, G. J.; Brinckman, F. E.: Bioprocessing of coal. Fuel 65 (1986) 1638–1646
Höne, H. J.; Beyer, M.; Ebner, H. G.; Klein, J.; Jüntgen, H.: Microbial desulphurization of coal — development and application of a slurry reactor. Chem. Eng. Technol. 3 (1987) 173–179
Kargi, F.: Microbial desulfurization of coal. Biotechnol. Processes 3 (1984) 241–272
Bos, P.; Huber, T. F.; Kos, C. H.; Ras, C.; Kuenen, J. G.: Microbiology of sulphur-oxidising bacteria, pp. 18–27. In: Mercer, A. D.; Tiller, A. K.; Wilson, R. W. (Eds.): Microbial corrosion. London: The Metals Society (1986)
Detz, D. M.; Barvinchak, G.: Microbial desulphurization of coal. Min. Congr. J. 65 (1979) 75–86
Beier, E.: Removal of pyrite from coal using bacteria, pp. 653–672. In: Attia, Y. A. (Ed.): First Int. Conf. on Processing and Utilization of High Sulfur Coals. Amsterdam: Elsevier (1985)
Beyer, M.: Microbial removal of pyrite from coal using a percolation bioreactor. Biotechnol. Letters 9 (1987) 19–24
Biesert, G.; Bäckbro, K.; Johnsson, C.; Linne, E.; Uhl, W.: Mikrobiell Avswavling av Kol. Lunds Tekniska Högskola, Lund, Sweden (1987)
Kargi, F.; Robinson, J. M.: Microbial desulphurization of coal by thermophilic microorganism Sulfolobus acidocaldarius. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 24 (1982) 2115–2121
Beier, E.: Microbial pyrite removal from hard coal. Resources, Conservation and Recycling 1 (1987) 233–250
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Beyer, M., Klein, J., Vaupel, K. et al. Microbial coal desulphurization: calculation of costs. Bioprocess Engineering 5, 97–101 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00388186
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00388186