New environmental bioengineering projects for the undergraduate research course, ChEg 499.
Coal is an economical source of energy and could become an increasingly important fuel. A major disadvantage associated with the use of coal as an energy source is the emission of sulfur dioxide into the environment during combustion. The environmental impacts associated with the combustion of coal have led to the development of new processes to control the resulting emission. Problems are encountered with these processes, however, dealing with high costs, efficiency, applicability, and waste disposal. Thus, interest has increased in research efforts dealing with microbial processes, which have the potential of solving some of these problems. In this project we study the capability of Thiobacillus Thiooxidans and Thiobacillus Ferooxidans bacteria to reduce the sulfur content of coal. The coal samples used in this research will be obtained from the University of Notre Dame, as well as from the New Energy Corporation at South Bend. The experiment will be carried out in a bioreactor. The Sulfur content of the coal sample will be analyzed before, during, and at end of each experiment, using analytical instrument in the BioEnvironmental Center.The pH and the electrical signal of the reactor contents will be monitored in real time by a computer via a Vernier Lab Pro interface.
Biogenic corrosion of concrete has become an increasingly prevalent problem in the world, specifically with regards to concrete sewer pipes, wastewater collection systems, and wastewater treatment plants. Over 800,000 miles of concrete sewer conduits are in use in the United States that are subject to sulfide-related corrosion as a result of the concerted activities of sulfate-reducing and sulfide-oxidizing bacteria. The objective of this project is to study microbial attack on and degradation of concrete, and to study the resistance of different mixes of sulfur oxidation states in concrete rods against the bacterial attack. A bio- reactor will be employed for simulation of biogenic sulfuric acid corrosion. During the time of the experiment, the bio film build on the concrete rods will be monitored using a microscope. A gram stain will make of each experiment reactor. The pH will check to determine whether any change has taken place. The cement rods will be examined for corrosion and the formation of crystals.
3. Biological oxidation of elemental sulfur by sulfur oxidizing bacteria (Thiobacillus Thiooxidans)
The objective of this project is to study the kinetics of the biooxidation of elemental sulfur and the parameters which influence the production rate of biological sulfuric acid. These include oxygen and carbon dioxide concentration in liquid culture, surface area of the elemental sulfur and the reaction temperature. The rate of biooxidation of elemental sulfur (RBES) is based on the sulfate ions production rate. The rate of sulfate ions production will determine be in a ground of SO4 ions balance which where produced by bacteria using liquid chromatograph HPLC or titration method. The rate of bacterial growth will be monitored via protein concentration in the bioreactor using electrophoresis. To learn the bio sulfur cycle in nature.
Influence of biodeterioration processes by example of the decay progress of an angel statue above the "Peters" Portal on the cathedral of Cologne (Germany); documented by the original object in 1880.
