Biodegradation of sulphide in biogas by biofilm on salak fruit seeds: The effect of intra-film-gradient

Abstract

Abstract. Elimination of H2S in biogas was performed by bio-filtration, in which H2S degrading bacteria immobilized on the packing material inside a column. Bacteria was taken from the local area, while salak fruit seed was used as packing material because it has a quite large carbon content, porous and has a high water absorption capability. To obtain a quantitative description of the process, which is useful in the design of large-scale bio-filters, two kinetics models were proposed. Model 1 assumes intra-film gradient does not exist and the gas phase is quasi-steady-state. Model 2 assumes intra-film gradient exists and the gas phase is quasisteady-state. Comparison of the calculation results using the two models to the experimental data suggested the use of model 2. This conclusion is based on both the trend and the accuracy. The trend of model 1 is more conceivable. However, for rough calculation, model 1 could be used for the reason that it is simpler than model 2. The average absolute errors of model 1 and 2 are comparable, approximately 6 ppm. It can also be concluded that intra-film gradient significantly affects the overall rate processes, while the gas phase can be assumed to be quasi-steady-state.

Sulphide removal from liquid using biofilm on packed bed of salak fruit seeds

“…Bio-filter column using the same packing material and microbes can also be applied to remove sulphide from gas phase [12]. The gas studied was biogas with sulphide content of 10 ppm to 79 ppm.…”

“…The detailed diagram of the mass transfer around the biofilm is taken from Lestari et.al. [12] and shown in figure 2. The sulphide move from the bulk of the liquid to the surface of the biofilm through the liquid film.…”

“…Mathematical model proposed assumed no intrafilm-gradient of sulphide concentration. A study on sulphide removal from gas phase at different conditions applying different mathematical model is presented by Lestari et al [12].…”