A Method for Preparation of Desulfurizing Biomass and Bioupgraders from Crude Oil

Rapid Communication

Austin J Biotechnol Bioeng. 2023; 10(1): 1122.

A Method for Preparation of Desulfurizing Biomass and Bioupgraders from Crude Oil

Wisam Mohammed Kareem Al-Khazaali1,2; Seyed Ahmad Ataei2*

¹Chemical Engineering Sec., Designs Dept., Projects Div., Misan Oil Company, Misan, Iraq

²Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran

*Corresponding author: Seyed Ahmad Ataei Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran. Email: ataei@uk.ac.ir

Received: October 18, 2023 Accepted: November 15, 2023 Published: November 22, 2023

Abstract

Emissions from human activities contribute to air pollution, global warming, and environmental degradation. These effects can harm human health and ecosystems, underscoring the importance of sustainable practices to mitigate the impact of emissions on the environment. By the time on the first exploration of reservoirs and first design contracts dates of refineries, there are many challenges appeared on the health, safety, and environment by conduction of the oil such as the higher contents of sulfur, nitrogen, oxygen, halogen, metals, and aromatics. There are many side effects on the human health starting from the simple to the malignant diseases such as cancer. Also, the safety of equipment and catalysts are affected by the presence of high content of these impurities in oils by many phenomena such as corrosion, erosion, and poisoning. In this study, microorganisms’ colony has been isolated from Amara crude oil by using 9k medium (ATCC 2436). It was found that this colony has the ability to make Biodesulfurization (BDS) of crude oil from 4.4 to 3.845 %. Also, it was found that this isolated colony upgraded the oil in improvement API-density.

Keywords: Biodesulfurization; Biodegradation; Isolation; 9k medium; Acidithiobacillus ferroxidanse; Thioxidans

Introduction

Fossil fuel is an important source of energy or power in various fields in life and industry. Before applying it in use, it must be on specification of some related standards to avoid risks on HSE. Then, sulfur compounds are one of these constraints to be treated. Fossil fuels take many forms, ranging through crude oil, petroleum fractions, coal, tar sands, and shale oil. In order to compete the sources of clean energy, fossil fuels must care HSE, quantity assurance and quality control regulations (QQHSSE). Emissions of sulfur has resulted in related health issues due to the poor safety of corrosion leading to its leakage to the environment, like: heart diseases, asthma, and respiratory illnesses [1]. Acute toxicity by H2S, which has caused many deaths in the workplace and in areas of natural accumulation. Also, loss of consciousness by H2S, paralysis, and even death, and disorders of the nervous system by H2S exposure, and in cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and ocular disorders [2].

Emission of SOx leading to serious environmental issues after combustion or due to the poor safety of corrosion, such as acid rain, a deposition of acids that is harmful to agriculture, wildlife, and human health and severe air pollution [1]. However, the combustion of fossil fuels releases many hazardous components such as SOx , NOx, CO2 [3]. Emissions of H2S leading to air pollution [4].

Therefore, EPA limited the total content of sulfur to 15 ppm in diesel and 30 ppm in gasoline. While EU limited to 50 ppm for both of them [4,5].

Sulfur compounds in oils formulate a challenge towards the human being locally and globally, whereas its oxides may reach 2.28 ppm in Baghdad [6]. Whereas, the total content of sulfur in Iraq exceeded all the percentages of other countries as shown in Figure 1 [7].