BIODEGRADATION OF HYDROGEN-SULFIDE BY A LABORATORY-SCALE IMMOBILIZED PSEUDOMONAS-PUTIDA CH11 BIOFILTER

A heterotrophic Pseudomonas putida CH11 was isolated from livestock fa rming wastewater and applied for the treatment of H2S-containing gas. Extensive tests including removal characteristics, metabolic products, and removal efficiencies of H2S by P. putida CH11 were examined in ba tch and continuous systems. The optimum pH required to remove hydrogen sulfide was found in the range of 6-8. The maximum removal rate and t he saturation constant were calculated to be V-m=1.36 g S/day . kg dry bead and K-s=45.9 ppm, respectively. The main metabolic product of H2 S oxidation was determined to be elemental sulfur. When P. putida CH11 was immobilized within Ca alginate, the cells exhibited high H2S remo val efficiency, in excess of 96%, at concentrations of hydrogen sulfid e from 10 to 150 ppm (now rates of 36 and 72 L/h). These results sugge st that P. putida CH11 immobilized within Ca alginate has the potentia l to be used as a H2S removal agent.