Work

Assessment of aerobic-anoxic biotrickling filtration for the desulfurization of high-strength H2S streams from sugarcane vinasse fermentation

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The increasing demand for renewable energy has heightened interest in biogas production from agro-industrial residues, such as sugarcane vinasse—a byproduct of ethanol production. During vinasse fermentation, sulfate reduction generates biogas with high hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) concentrations, reaching up to 50,000 ppm v . This study assessed the performance of two bench-scale biotrickling filters (BTFs) treating synthetic sulfide-rich acidogenic off-gas (7000 ppm v ) from mesophilic sugarcane vinasse fermentation. The systems were packed with materials of high (950 m 2 m −3 , BTF H ) and low (460 m 2 m −3 , BTF L ) specific surface areas and inoculated with sulfur-oxidizing bacteria (SOB). Operational conditions included decreasing empty bed residence times (EBRTs) of 9, 6, and 4 min and nitrate-to-sulfur ratios of 0.1, 0.3, and 0.5, respectively. Both BTFs achieved complete H 2 S removal at the shortest EBRT, with elimination capacities (ECs) exceeding 140 g S-H 2 S m −3 h −1 . However, BTF H exhibited reduced EC at higher H 2 S loads due to elemental sulfur (S⁰) accumulation, resulting in clogging, pH instability, and diminished denitrification activity. Despite these challenges, the system demonstrated resilience by restoring nitrate reduction and H 2 S oxidation. This study underscores the efficacy of hybrid aerobic-anoxic BTFs for treating H 2 S-rich biogas and highlights the critical role of packing material selection and nitrogen-to-sulfur ratio control for long-term operational stability. • Novel BTF design optimized for H2S-rich biogas from vinasse fermentation. • Complete H2S removal achieved at gas contact times as low as 4 min. • Low surface area (490 m3 m-2) media outperformed micro rings, avoiding clogging. • Maximum elimination capacity of 160 gS-H2S m-3 h-1 with stable performance. • Hybrid aerobic-anoxic systems effectively balanced sulfur oxidation and stability.

Source: Journal of Hazardous Materials

DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.137696

Authors: André Do Vale Borges, Márcia Helena Rissato Zamariolli Damianovic, Raúl Muñoz Torre

Institutions: Universidade de São Paulo, Universidad de Valladolid

Language: English

Topic: Odor and Emission Control Technologies

Subfield: Process Chemistry and Technology

Field: Chemical Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Responsible consumption and production, Affordable and clean energy, Clean water and sanitation, Climate action

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,340