Inventors:
Bruce Carlsen - Calipatria CA
Allen Sonneville - Brawley CA
Assignee:
MidAmerican Energy Holdings Co. - Omaha NE
International Classification:
C01B 1769
Abstract:
A process is provided for removing hydrogen sulfide out of gas, such as gas separated from geothermal brine, by passing the hydrogen sulfide containing gas and oxygen containing gas through a bioreactor containing bacteria, such as Beggiatoa, Thiothrix and Thiobacilli, supported on a support so that the bacteria oxide the hydrogen sulfide into elemental sulfur, which is subsequently oxidized into sulfuric acid. The flow of the gases through the bioreactor is cyclically reserved about every 12 hours to about 5 days so as to provide a better sulfur distribution in the support, resulting in more efficient oxidation of the elemental sulfur into sulfuric acid. Hydrogen sulfide depleted gas and sulfuric acid are discharged from the bioreactor. A plurality of bioreactors may be used, connected in series or in parallel.