Biodesulphurization of coal: behaviour of trace elements

The purpose of this study is to show how the different size fractions of coal are affected during a process of biodesulphurization in a packed column and to examine the repercussions of the process on the elimination of certain heavy and trace elements. The total desulphurization obtained in 51 days is about 25 wt%, as only pyritic sulphur is attacked. The greatest reduction in sulphur content was for the 1-0.5 mm fraction although the lowest actual sulphur content was found in particles of under 0.125 mm, where it dropped from 1.76 to 1.17 wt%. The most important changes in the metal content were decreases in Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cr, Co and Sr, mainly in the smaller sizes.