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Microaeration for hydrogen sulfide removal during anaerobic treatment: a review

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Abstract

High sulfide concentrations in biogas are a major problem associated with the anaerobic treatment of sulfate-rich substrates. It causes the corrosion of concrete and steel, compromises the functions of cogeneration units, produces the emissions of unpleasant odors, and is toxic to humans. Microaeration, i.e. the dosing of small amounts of air (oxygen) into an anaerobic digester, is a highly efficient, simple and economically feasible technique for hydrogen sulfide removal from biogas. Due to microaeration, sulfide is oxidized to elemental sulfur by the action of sulfide oxidizing bacteria. This process takes place directly in the digester. This paper reviews the most important aspects and recent developments of microaeration technology. It describes the basic principles (microbiology, chemistry) of microaeration and the key technological factors influencing microaeration. Other aspects such as process economy, mathematical modelling and control strategies are discussed as well. Besides its advantages, the limitations of microaeration such as partial oxidation of soluble substrate, clogging the walls and pipes with elemental sulfur or toxicity to methanogens are pointed out as well. An integrated mathematical model describing microaeration has not been developed so far and remains an important research gap.

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Abbreviations

ABR:

Anaerobic baffled reactor

BTF:

Biotrickling filter

CSTR:

Continuous stirred tank reactor

DO:

Dissolved oxygen

EGSB:

Expanded granular sludge bed

FBR:

Fluidized bed reactor

IC:

Internal circuit reactor

MDU:

Microaerobic desulfurization unit

ORP:

Oxidation–reduction potential

PID:

Proportional-integral-derivative

SCADA:

Supervisory control and data acquisition

SOB:

Sulfide-oxidizing bacteria

SOU:

Sulfide-oxidizing unit

SRB:

Sulfate-reducing bacteria

TN:

Total nitrogen

UAF:

Up-flow anaerobic filter

UASB:

Up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor

VFA:

Volatile fatty acid

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Acknowledgments

This research was financially supported by the specific university research (MSMT No. 20/2015), the International Research Staff Exchange Scheme project “Renewable energy production through microalgae cultivation: Closing material cycles—ALGAENET” (PIRSES-GA-2011-295165) and by the Technology Agency of Czech Republic—Project TA03021413. Lucie Krayzelova received funding for a joint doctorate from Ghent University’s Special Research Fund (BOF—01SF2012). David Jeison would like to thank for support provided by CRHIAM Centre (CONICYT/FONDAP/15130015).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Water Technology and Environmental Engineering, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technicka 5, 166 28, Prague 6, Czech Republic

    Lucie Krayzelova, Jan Bartacek & Pavel Jenicek

  2. Department of Biosystems Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000, Ghent, Belgium

    Lucie Krayzelova & Eveline I. P. Volcke

  3. Department of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, University of Valladolid, Calle Dr. Mergelina, 47011, Valladolid, Spain

    Israel Díaz

  4. Departamento de Ingeniería Química, Universidad de La Frontera, Casilla 54-D, Temuco, Chile

    David Jeison

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  1. Lucie Krayzelova
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  2. Jan Bartacek
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  3. Israel Díaz
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  4. David Jeison
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  5. Eveline I. P. Volcke
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Correspondence to Lucie Krayzelova.

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Krayzelova, L., Bartacek, J., Díaz, I. et al. Microaeration for hydrogen sulfide removal during anaerobic treatment: a review. Rev Environ Sci Biotechnol 14, 703–725 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11157-015-9386-2

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