Effect of electrokinetics on biodesulfurization of the model oil by Rhodococcus erythropolis PTCC1767 and Bacillus subtilis DSMZ 3256

Biodesulfurization of the model oil using Rhodococcus erythropolis PTCC1767 (R. erythropolis) and Bacillus subtilis DSMZ 3256 (B. subtilis) strains assisted by applying electrokinetic was investigated as a novel method for desulfurization. The yield of biodesulfurization is low because it takes long time to be completed. Electrokinetic reduces the process time and accelerates degradation of the sulfur compounds. A mixture of normal hexadecane with 10 mM dibenzotiophene (DBT) was employed as the model oil. The biodesulfurization experiments were initially performed. The results represented 34% and 62% DBT conversions after 1 and 6 days by R. erythropolis and the biodesulfurization yields were 11% and 36%, respectively. However, the DBT conversions for B. subtilis strain after 1 and 6 days were 31% and 55% and the biodesulfurization yields were 9% and 31%, respectively. The electrokinetic biodesulfurization experiments were studied at different current densities and the optimum current density was selected. According to the results, DBT conversion and biodesulfurization yield for R. erythropolis after 3 days were 76% and 39%, respectively, at the current density of 7.5 mA/cm2. At the same conditions, the DBT conversion and biodesulfurization yield for B. subtilis were 71% and 37%, respectively. The experimental results indicate that the electrokinetic significantly reduces the biodesulfurization time. The combination of electrokinetic and biodesulfurization has the potential to obtain 'zero sulfur' products.