Evaluation of substrate consumption kinetics in different media for biotrickling filters aimed at biogas desulfurization

• Grant number: 15/24990-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: May 01, 2016
• End date: June 30, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Chemical Technology
• Principal Investigator: Denise Bevilaqua
• Grantee: Letícia Ferraresi Hidalgo
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araraquara. Araraquara , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Biogas is a renewable energy source that can be used for producing heat and energy, replacing fossil fuels. A factor that limits its use is the amount of contaminants in its composition. H2S is the most common contaminant of biogas. The use of biotrickling filters has shown promise in eliminating this contaminant. Selecting an ideal support medium is an important step for the operation of this process, since it is a factor that influences the performance of the system, as the development of the biofilm and, consenquently, the biodegradation of the contaminants. The necessity of cheap and durable supports for growth and biomass accumulation is a challenge for full-scale bioreactors. The present work is based on the kinetic study of hydrogen sulfide oxidation by sulfur oxidizing microorganisms obtained from anaerobic sludge in columns filled with different media, aiming at future application in the biodesulphurisation process of gases from different industrial processes.