Microbial Desulfurization of Coal and Oxidation of Pure Pyrite by T. ferrooxidans and Acidianus brierleyi
Thiobacillus ferrooxidans and Acidianus brierleyi were capable of oxidizing pure pyrite as well as oxidizing sulfur in coal. First order reactions were assumed in the kinetic analysis performed. For oxidation of pure pyrite the rate constant was higher for A. brierleyi than for T. ferrooxidans. For sulfur removal from coal the values of the rate constants were comparable far the two microorganisms