Microbial desulfurization of a high content sulfur coal

摘要

The average sulfur content of Tabas coals contained in the Parvadeh coalfield is approximately 1.5%. For the purpose of the conduct of the desulphurization program, a sample of high sulfur coal was used. Tabas coal mine is the biggest coal mine in Iran. The coal was characterized by means of infrared spectroscopy and subjected to desulphurization tests using Thiobacillus Ferrooxidans (DSM 581) in two different media. The reduction in total sulfur content was measured using a Leco analyzer. Total iron and Fe~(+2) which was dissolved in the bio-leaching, was measured using the calorimetric orthophenanthroline method. The results indicated that the reduction in sulfur content depended on the media employed. Fifteen days following inoculation, the pyretic sulfur was reduced by 59.8% in medium 9 K/10 and by 65% in medium TB/10.