Effect of biodesulfurization process conditions on the microbial composition and physiological activity

Almost 20 years of the research were spent on the identification of the best engineering parameters for biodesulfurization process improvement, but little information was available on the effect of biomass on the process itself. We believe that process performance, in respect to sulfur selectivity, can be enhanced by selecting proper biomass inoculum. Especially, biomass with the most abundant bacteria that is able to withstand desired conditions. We also think that understanding physiologically based sulfide oxidation kinetics will give more descriptive information on the process performance and products selectivity. Thus, the aim of the current study is to understand the relationships between bacterial composition, physiological activity of biomass and products selectivity in biodesulfurization process.