Hydrogen sulphide management in anaerobic digestion: A critical review on input control, process regulation, and post-treatment

Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) in biogas is a problematic impurity that can inhibit methanogenesis and cause equipment corrosion. This review discusses technologies to remove H2S during anaerobic digestion (AD) via: input control, process regulation, and post-treatment. Post-treatment technologies (e.g. biotrickling filters and scrubbers) are mature with >95% removal efficiency but they do not mitigate H2S toxicity to methanogens within the AD. Input control (i.e. substrate pretreatment via chemical addition) reduces sulphur input into AD via sulphur precipitation. However, available results showed <75% of H2S removal efficiency. Microaeration to regulate AD condition is a promising alternative for controlling H2S formation. Microaeration, or the use of oxygen to regulate the redox potential at around -250 mV, has been demonstrated at pilot and full scale with >95% H2S reduction, stable methane production, and low operational cost. Further adaptation of microaeration relies on a comprehensive design framework and exchange operational experience for eliminating the risk of over-aeration.

Automated summary

This review discusses technologies to remove hydrogen sulphide (H2S) during anaerobic digestion (AD). Post-treatment technologies have high removal efficiency but do not mitigate H2S toxicity. Input control reduces sulphur input but has lower removal efficiency. Microaeration for regulating the redox potential is a promising alternative with high removal efficiency and low operational cost.