Microbial Solubilization of Coal

Scott, Charles D.; Strandberg, G.W.; Lewis, S. N.

doi:10.1002/btpr.5420020307

Cited by 110 publications

(38 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…It is probable, however, that the degree to which BC can be considered inert depends on the extent of alteration of the combustion residues. An ability of several wood-decaying fungi to decompose low grade coals (Scott et al, 1986;Hofrichter et al, 1999) suggests that micro-organisms present in soils may have the capacity to degrade char. However, radiocarbon ages of 1000-1500 years (Glaser, 1999) and the lack of an increase in CO 2 release from an Andisol amended with char C (Shindo, 1991) over a 40 week incubation period under optimal conditions for microbial growth indicate that char may be recalcitrant in soils.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chemical composition and bioavailability of thermally altered Pinus resinosa (Red pine) wood

Baldock

Smernik

2002

Organic Geochemistry

748

516

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The residues remaining after incomplete combustion of vegetation (char) can contribute significantly to the carbon content of soils. Char C is considered biologically inert relative to other forms of organic C in soils; however, the degree of biological inertness is likely to be a function of the extent that the combustion residues were altered during thermal treatment. The relationship between changes in chemical composition and biological inertness of char C created in the laboratory by heating Pinus resinosa sapwood to temperatures between 70 and 350 C was quantified. Heating at each temperature was maintained until the mass of the residual char material stabilised (AE 2%). Chemical composition of the chars was assessed by elemental analysis, solid-state 13 C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFT). The susceptibility of the heated sapwood to biological oxidation was quantified in a 120-day laboratory incubation. Thermal treatment at temperatures 5200 C induced significant variations in chemical composition. Changes in elemental contents and molar elemental ratios were consistent with an initial dehydration and the formation of unsaturated structures. The NMR and DRIFT data indicated that the changes in the chemical composition with increasing heating temperature included a conversion of O-alkyl C to aryl and O-aryl furan-like structures, consistent with results from work examining the chemical changes associated with thermal treatment of cellulose, the major component of wood. The chemical changes significantly reduced the ability of a microbial inoculum derived from decomposing Pinus resinosa wood to mineralise carbon contained in the charred samples. The C mineralisation rate constants decreased by an order of magnitude for wood heated to 5200 C. #

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chemical composition and bioavailability of thermally altered Pinus resinosa (Red pine) wood

Baldock

Smernik

2002

Organic Geochemistry

748

516

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“…Studies of the biochemistry and physiology of this microorganism have been stimulated by the ever increasing development of the bioleaching processes that are used industrially to recover metals from ores and to desulphurize coal (2,11). In spite of this interest in T, ferrooxidans, and its genetic improvement for biomining operations (15) much work has still to be done to select efficient strains for making the leaching systems commercially feasible.…”

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confidence: 99%

A new solid medium for isolating and enumerating Thiobacillus ferrooxidans.

Visca

Bianchi

Polidoro

et al. 1989

J. Gen. Appl. Microbiol.

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The growth of seven Thiobacillus ferrooxidans strains was trested on various solid media prepared according to previously published procedures in comparison with a series of new formulations (TSMs, Thiobacillus solid media) set up in our laboratory. These media differed in the type of gelling agent and in the concentration of phosphate and ferrous ions. It was determined that the established formulations brought qualitatively and quantitatively unsatisfactory results whereas, among the new media, TSM 1 produced quantitative yields of T. ferrooxidans colonies. The TSM 1 supports the growth of T. ferrooxidans strains and can be recommended for the estimation of cell numbers in liquid cultures and for the isolation of single clones. There was also a noticeable similarity in the morphology of colonies formed by different Ts ferrooxidans strains.The chemoautotrophic bacterium Thiobacillus ferrooxidans is able to obtain energy from the oxidation of ferrous iron and/or inorganic sulfur compounds. An important feature of this extremophile is its ability to grow and reproduce readily at the lower extremes of the pH scale (1.5-2.0) (3).Studies of the biochemistry and physiology of this microorganism have been stimulated by the ever increasing development of the bioleaching processes that are used industrially to recover metals from ores and to desulphurize coal (2,11). In spite of this interest in T, ferrooxidans, and its genetic improvement for biomining operations (15) much work has still to be done to select efficient strains for making the leaching systems commercially feasible. The lack of studies of the genetic manipulation of this bacterium is mainly concerned with the difficulty of applying * Address reprint requests to: Dr .

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“…World reserves of low rank coal in 2002 were 47% of the total recoverable reserves of coal, while total low rank coal production in 2001 was approximately 28% of the total production of coal worldwide [3]. Microbial solubilisation of low rank coal at ambient temperature and pressure has been demonstrated [4][5][6] and reported to yield useful oxidised products [7]. These products have potential use as substrates in biotransformation processes for the production of value added compounds such as antioxidants [7].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Conversely, Gokacy et al [12] observed that an increase in particle size across the range 1500 to 2000 μm led to a higher degree of biosolubilisation. Earlier research on coal biosolubilisation was carried out across the range of 0.1 to 1% (w/v) coal loading [6,9]. Gokacy et al [12] investigated the effect of increased coal loading on coal biosolubilisation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The effect of the particulate phase on coal biosolubilisation mediated by Trichoderma atroviride in a slurry bioreactor

Oboirien

Burton

Cowan

et al. 2008

Fuel Processing Technology

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Low rank coal is currently under-utilised because of its low calorific value and high moisture and sulphur content. Its solubilisation by both bacterial and fungal cultures has been reported, the latter more commonly. Coal biosolubilisation processes have potential to convert low rank coal to either a clean, cost-effective energy source or complex aromatic compounds for biocatalytic conversion to value-added products. This can lead to an increased utilisation of low rank coal. In this study, the key variables of the slurry that affect biosolubilisation of low rank coal by Trichoderma atroviride in submerged culture were investigated. Results showed that the key operating variables that influence coal biosolubilisation in the slurry bioreactor are coal loading and particle size affecting available surface area. These factors affect the surface area available for coal biosolubilisation. The optimum coal loading occurred between 5 and 10% (w/v); an increase above this optimum led to inhibition of the fungal culture of T. atroviride (ES11) by fragmentation of the fungal mycelium. A decrease in particle size fraction led to an increase in the degree of coal solubilisation. Coal biosolubilisation was shown to increase 4-fold when particle size was decreased from 600-850 μm to 150-300 μm. A 28% biosolubilisation of coal of 150-300 μm, characterised by a surface specific area of 2.17 cm 2 g − 1 , was measured as coal weight loss over 14 days at solids loading at 5%. This can be compared with a 7.8% coal weight loss at 600-850 μm diameters (0.54 cm 2 g − 1). Soluble phenolic compounds are not a significant product of the coal biosolubilisation process. The change in pH observed in the presence of both coal and fungi was independent of coal loading and was not directly related to the extent of coal solubilisation. While soluble intermediates were observed as total organic, further metabolism resulted in complete oxidation of a significant fraction of the coal to CO 2 .

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Microbial Solubilization of Coal

Cited by 110 publications

References 6 publications

Chemical composition and bioavailability of thermally altered Pinus resinosa (Red pine) wood

Chemical composition and bioavailability of thermally altered Pinus resinosa (Red pine) wood

A new solid medium for isolating and enumerating Thiobacillus ferrooxidans.

The effect of the particulate phase on coal biosolubilisation mediated by Trichoderma atroviride in a slurry bioreactor

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