Methods for producing hydrogen (BI) sulfide and/or removing metals
US6387669B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 5, 2000 |
| Grant date | May 14, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 5, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC02F2209/06
- WIPO fieldEnvironmental technology
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The present invention is a process wherein sulfide production by bacteria is efficiently turned on and off, using pH adjustment. The adjustment of pH impacts sulfide production by bacteria by altering the relative amounts of H2S and HS— in solution and thereby control the inhibition of the bacterial metabolism that produces sulfide. This process can be used to make a bioreactor produce sulfide “on-demand” so that the production of sulfide can be matched to its use as a metal precipitation reagent. The present invention is of significance because it enables the use of a biological reactor, a cost effective sulfide production system, by making the biological reactor produce hydrogen sulfide “on demand”, and therefore responsive to production schedules, waste stream generation rate, and health and safety requirements/goals.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.