Anaerobic biodesulfurization in different inoculums

Sulfur compounds in liquid fuel are undesirable and the level of these compounds in diesel fuel is strictly regulated in the last 15 years by the European Union. These stringent regulations are imposing an urgent requirement for fuel terminals to produce fuels having ultra-low sulfur content. A promising Eco-Technology is to employ Biodesulfurization (BDS), a process where the bacteria (liquid phase) are mixed with oil at ambient temperature and pressure to selectively remove organosulfur components from oil fractions without degrading the carbon skeleton of the compounds. Most of the studies have examined the BDS under aerobic conditions using pure cultures or mix inoculum, and the main byproducts remain in the liquid phase. However, the present study explored a new proof of concept; BDS under anaerobic conditions using inoculums from various anaerobic sources. The enrichment in each inoculum took place several months and electron donors were used. In addition, the microbial profile over time was examined at the end of the BDS using next generation sequencing. The BDS of oil under anaerobic conditions profits of aeration cost, as well as the advantage of releasing H2S in the gas phase, which can be easily treated using the existing H2S technologies.