Optimization of bioreactor performance for the oxidation of ferrous sulfate using Taguchi approach

Integration of life sciences & engineering

Integration of Life Sciences & Engineering - Poster (T5-P)

MSc S. Mohammad Mousavi
Sharif University of Technology
Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering
Lappeenrantaa University of Technology, Department of Chemical Technology, Lappeenranta, Finland
Islamic Republic of Iran

MSc Arezou Jafari
Lappeenranta University of Technology
Department of Energy and Environmental Technology

Finland

Dr SOHEILA YAGHMAEI
SHARIF UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
CHEMICAL $PETROLEUM ENGINEERING
Azadi aveneu,Sharif university of technology,Tehran,IRAN
Islamic Republic of Iran

Prof Manuchehr Vossoughi
Sharif University of Technology
Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering

Islamic Republic of Iran

Prof Ilkka Turunen
Lappeenranta University of Technology
Department of Chemical Technology
P.O.Box 20
FI-53851 Lappeenranta
Finland

Keywords: Optimization; Bioreactor performance; Ferrous biooxidation; Taguchi approach

The biological oxidation of ferrous to ferric ion by Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans is potentially a useful industrial process for the removal of H2S from industrial gases, desulphurization of coal, removal of sulfur dioxide from flue gas, the treatment of acid mine drainage and the regeneration of an oxidant agent in hydrometallurgical leaching operations. The main purpose of this study was to find optimum values of the process parameters on the biooxidation of ferrous ion to ferric ones by a native A. ferrooxidans in a packed-bed bioreactor using Taguchi method. Five control factors, including initial pH of feed solution, temperature, dilution rate, initial concentration of Fe+3 and aeration rate in four levels are considered in Taguchi method. L16 orthogonal array has been used to determine the signal to noise (S/N) ratio. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine the optimum conditions and most significant process parameters affecting the concentration of ferric ion. The experiment results obtained from L16 orthogonal array showed that the maximum concentration of ferric ion in the bioreactor effluent was about 7.8 g/L. Analysis of the experiments using Taguchi method indicated that pH of feed solution has the most contribution in biooxidation of ferrous ion. Initial pH 2.2, temperature 32 °C, dilution rate 0.4 h-1, initial Fe+3 concentration 0.7 g/L and aeration rate 150 mL/min were obtained as optimum conditions. The ferric concentration was improved to 8.4 g/L by setting the control factors according to the Taguchi method. Finally, based on the primary results, a verification test was also performed to check the optimum condition.

Presented Wednesday 19, 13:30 to 15:00, in session Integration of Life Sciences & Engineering - Poster (T5-P).