Reduction of nitric oxide to elemental nitrogen byThiobacillus Denitrificans

Abstract

A need exists for new technology for the disposal of concentrated NO_x streams obtained from certain regenerable, dry scrubbing processes, such as the NOXSO process, and the removal and disposal of NO_x from more dilute gas streams produced by nitric acid plants. It has been demonstrated that the facultative anaerobe and autotroph, Thiobacillus denitrificans, may be cultured anaerobically in batch reactors using NO (g) as a terminal electron acceptor. Thiosulfate served as an energy source, CO₂ (g) as a carbon source, and ammonium ion as a source of reduced nitrogen. The growth of T.denitrificans was indicated by depletion of thiosulfate and ammonium ion and the accumulation of biomass. The feed gas consisted of 5000 ppmv NO, 5%, CO₂, and balance nitrogen. The NO concentration in the outlet gas was typically 200 ppmv.