Desulfurization of Giral lignite of Rajasthan (Western India) using Burkholderia sp. GR 8-02

Present investigation entails the results of desulfurization of high sulfur Giral (Rajasthan-India) lignite with the help of Burkholderia sp. GR 8-02. Total sulfur varies from 3.73% to 7.91%, where inorganic sulfur is 2.17-3.82%, pyritic and Sulfate sulfur is 0.90-2.42% and 0.47-2.84%, respectively. Chemical analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM/EDS) were used in order to understand desulfurization. Bacterial treatment caused a significant reduction in total sulfur content ranging from 23.59% to 37.55%. Organic sulfur removal ranges from 11.06% to 20.54% while pyritic and Sulfate sulfur removal vary from 10.40-43.39% and 50.89-96.97%, respectively. In addition to desulfurization of lignite, the reduction in the ash yield and the volatile matter was also observed whereas there was a relative increase in the fixed carbon and elemental carbon content. Further, an increase in the gross calorific value from 3189 kcal/kg to 3482 kcal/kg was noticed.

Automated summary

The desulfurization of high sulfur Giral lignite in Rajasthan, India was effectively carried out with the assistance of Burkholderia sp. GR 8-02, resulting in significant reductions in total sulfur, pyritic sulfur, and sulfate sulfur content. The treatment also led to decreases in the ash yield and volatile matter, while increasing the fixed carbon and elemental carbon content, as well as the gross calorific value.