Microbial desulfurization of different coal types

This chapter discusses different coals compared with respect to the extent of sulfur removal and jarosite formation when processed with A. brierleyi. All coals are of low-sulfur type with a sulfur content ranging from 0.6 % through 1.8 %. The efficiency of the microbial processing of coal depends on three factors––namely, the rate of sulfur removal, the extent of sulfur removal, and the formation of jarosite. Each coal contains one part sulfur available for removal during microbial processing. The available sulfur can in most cases be deduced to pyritic and sulfatic sulfur, the latter representing a minor fraction of the total sulfur