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Technical, Economical, and Microbiological Aspects of the Microaerobic Process on H2S Removal for Low Sulfate Concentration Wastewaters

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Abstract

We studied the feasibility of the microaerobic process, in comparison with the traditional chemical absorption process (NaOH), on H2S removal in order to improve the biogas quality. The experiment consisted of two systems: R1, biogas from an anaerobic reactor was washed in a NaOH solution, and R2, headspace microaeration with atmospheric air in a former anaerobic reactor. The microaeration used for low sulfate concentration wastewater did not affect the anaerobic digestion, but even increased system stability. Methane production in the R2 was 14 % lower compared to R1, due to biogas dilution by the atmospheric air used. The presence of oxygen in the biogas reveals that not all the oxygen was consumed for sulfide oxidation in the liquid phase indicating mass transfer limitations. The reactor was able to rapidly recover its capacity on H2S removal after an operational failure. Bacterial and archaeal richness shifted due to changes in operational parameters, which match with the system functioning. Finally, the microaerobic system seems to be more advantageous for both technical and economical reasons, in which the payback of microaerobic process for H2S removal was 4.7 months.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq), an organization of the Brazilian Government for the development of Science and Technology, for the Master’s and PhD scholarships and financial support (Process 484979/2012-4 from Edital Universal) and Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos (FINEP) for the financial support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Ceará, Rua do Contorno, S/N Campus do Pici, Bloco 713, Fortaleza, CE, CEP: 60455-900, Brazil

    M. R. Sousa, C. J. S. Oliveira, A. C. Lopes, E. R. Rodríguez, G. B. M. Holanda, P. G. C. Landim, P. I. M. Firmino & A. B. Dos Santos

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  1. M. R. Sousa
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  2. C. J. S. Oliveira
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  3. A. C. Lopes
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  4. E. R. Rodríguez
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  5. G. B. M. Holanda
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  6. P. G. C. Landim
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  7. P. I. M. Firmino
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  8. A. B. Dos Santos
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Correspondence to A. B. Dos Santos.

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Sousa, M.R., Oliveira, C.J.S., Lopes, A.C. et al. Technical, Economical, and Microbiological Aspects of the Microaerobic Process on H2S Removal for Low Sulfate Concentration Wastewaters. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 180, 1386–1400 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12010-016-2174-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12010-016-2174-9

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