The Disposal of Sulfur and Oil-Contained Sludge Using Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans

In this study, the effects of corrosion inhibitor of sludge produced in the process of natural gas exploitation and transportation on sulfur oxidation by Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans were studied. The results showed that the four components of corrosion inhibitor had different inhibition effects on sulfur oxidation by A. thiooxidans, but the inhibition mechanism was different. Diesel oil can inhibit sulfur oxidation by A. thiooxidans mainly by blocking the contact between A. thiooxidans and sulfur particles, as well as diffusion of oxygen and carbon dioxide into the solution. Only when the concentration of imidazoline was more than 2.0%, the A. thiooxidans can quickly adapt to this inhibition and gradually eliminate it, but the concentrations of A. thiooxidans were reduced. With the increase of methanol concentration, the inhibition of A. thiooxidans on the sulfur oxidation was more apparently, but the inhibition was reversible. The higher the concentration of methanol is, the longer the adaptation time of A. thiooxidans. When the concentration of methylpyridine was low, the inhibition on sulfur oxidation by A. thiooxidans was very small and reversible. However, when its concentration was more than 2.0%, it had a permanent inhibitory effect on sulfur oxidation by A. thiooxidans. The removal rate of sulfur can reach 80% after the sludge is cleaned with HCl and NaOH solution.