H2S Bioreactor Process Using Dynamic Electron Donor Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional processes for producing hydrogen sulphide (H2S) from elemental sulfur using sulphur-reducing bacteria are difficult to control and prone to fluctuations, making them unsuitable for commercial applications that require a continuous and reliable H2S supply, especially in industrial processes with variable H2S demands.
Innovation Solution
A bioreactor process that maintains a constant concentration of substrates and conditions by continuously providing an electron donor at a variable rate, reacting elemental sulfur with HS- to form polysulphides, and removing H2S gas while ensuring the average rate of polysulphide provision matches consumption, thereby stabilizing H2S production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional batch processes are used for H2S production, then the process is simple to operate, but the production rate fluctuates and reliability is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control by continuously adjusting the electron donor feed rate based on real-time H2S production rate and polysulfide concentration measurements. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to maintain optimal conditions for stable H2S production while adapting to changing operational requirements, resolving the contradiction between reliability and operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback control mechanisms where H2S production rate and polysulfide concentration are continuously monitored and used to adjust the electron donor feed rate. This closed-loop feedback ensures stable and reliable H2S production by automatically compensating for deviations from target conditions, addressing the reliability improvement need while managing control complexity.
2Productivity
If the electron donor feed rate is increased to meet higher H2S demand, then productivity increases, but the concentration of substrates becomes unbalanced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the electron donor feed rate in response to changing H2S demand while maintaining substrate concentration balance. By continuously monitoring polysulfide concentration and H2S production rate, the control system optimizes the feed rate to match productivity requirements without disrupting the delicate substrate balance, thereby resolving the contradiction between increased productivity and compositional stability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the bioreactor is designed for high H2S output, then productivity is high, but the system becomes less adaptable to variable industrial demands
Solution Approach 1:
The bioreactor system achieves both high productivity and adaptability through dynamic control of the electron donor feed rate. The system can operate at high production rates when demanded while automatically adjusting to match variable industrial demands in real-time. This dynamic operation allows the system to maintain optimal productivity across a range of demand conditions, resolving the contradiction between maximum output and adaptability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for a stable and continuous production of H2S, adapting to variable industrial demands, enhancing the efficiency and reliability of H2S supply in applications such as wastewater treatment, mineral processing, and metal extraction.
Implementation Method 1
production of H2S gas from the biological reduction of a mixture of a liquid and elemental sulfur with an electron donor
Implementation Method 2
reacting elemental sulfur with HS- to form soluble polysulfide
Implementation Method 3
The hydrogen sulphide is stripped from the liquid medium to produce a gas containing at least 1 volume percent hydrogen sulphide
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a process for producing H2S comprising: a) continuously providing an electron donor at a variable rate to a biosolution comprising sulphur-reducing bacteria; b) reacting elemental sulphur with HS− to from soluble polysulphide; c) providing said polysulphide to a bioreactor having the biosolution, thereby producing H2S gas in the bioreactor; and d) continuously removing H2S gas from the bioreactor, wherein an average rate of providing polysulphide to sulphur-reducing bacteria is equal to an average rate of polysulphide consumption by the sulphur-reducing bacteria.