Development of a family of large-scale biothechnological processes to desukphurise industrial gases

In this paper an overview is given of a new biotechnological process to remove hydrogen sulphide from gas streams. This process is jointly developed by Wageningen University, Delft University of Technology, Paques B.V. and Shell Global Solutions International B.V. In 1992, the first full-scale installation for H2S removal from biogas was taken into operation whilst in 2002 the first unit for high pressure natural gas desulphurisation was started-up. The removal of sulphur dioxide from flue gasses is feasible as well and in 2006 the first unit went on-stream in China. Currently, more than 75 full-scale plants are in operation worldwide. The formed bio-sulphur has a hydrophilic nature which enables its re-use, e.g. as a fertilizer or fungicide.