Summary
Pyrite was microbiologically removed by Thiobacillus ferrooxidans in pure and mixed cultures from German bituminous coal at 10% pulp density with maximum pyrite oxidation rate of 350 mg pyritic S/l per day. However, at pulp densities above 20% bacterial growth and consequently pyrite oxidation were completely prevented both in a conventional airlift reactor and in a stirred-tank reactor. Modifying the airlift reactor by adapting a conical bottom part, bacterial growth and pyrite oxidation could be achieved even at 30% pulp density, resulting in a pyrite removal of more than 90% at a pyrite oxidation rate of 230 mg pyritic S/l per day.
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Dedicated to Prof. Dr. H. Jüntgen on the occasion of his 60th birthday
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Beyer, M., Ebner, H.G. & Klein, J. Influence of pulp density and bioreactor design on microbial desulphurization of coal. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 24, 342–346 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00257061
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00257061