Previous research has indicated that the thermophillic bacteria, Sulfolobus acidocaldarius, and possibly related variants, can remove 75% of the sulfur present in high-sulfur coal in 3 to 4 days using elevated temperatures and acid conditions. This research program will determine, using a bench-scale, fed-batch system, the rate and efficiency of Sulfolobus desulfurization on aqueous coal slurries. An experimental matrix of three coal particle sizes and three weight percents of coal slurry will be studied. The objectives of this program are to determine the optimum coal particle size and weight percent of slurry for efficient microbial desulfurization using Sulfolobus, and to assess whether Sulfolobus can be used to desulfurize microfine coal in aqueous slurry so that the cleaned product can be substituted for heavy fuel oil in the future.Anticipated Results/Potential Commercial Applications as described by the awardee:This program may result in the definition of (1) a microbial process for the desulfurization of microfine coal leading to a coal-based substitute for heavy fuel oil, and (2) the optimum particle size and weight percent of coal slurry for microbial desulfurization leading to a process that could improve air quality and reduce the impact of acid rain on the environment through reducing sulfur emissions from the generation of electricity from coal.
