Development of effective hydrogen sulphide removing equipment using Thiobacillus sp.IW

Hydrogen sulphide is one of the commonest odours emitted by chemical plants. To remove the hydrogen sulphide biologically, a three phase fluidised bed bioreactor was used in which Thiobacillus sp.IW was immobilised on activated carbon. The optimum operating conditions of the bioreactor were 30°C, pH7, aspect ratio (L/D) = 1 and at these conditions, the system removed over 94% of the hydrogen sulphide in the concentration range of 100–200 ppm and flow rate of 1.0–2.0 litre min−1. From the upset and recovery test, the system proved stable within the moderate inlet concentration changes investigated.