AP22782831 «Design and optimization of microbial consortium for efficient biodesulfurization of Kazakhstani high-sulfur coals»
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Name of the project
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AP22782831 «Design and optimization of microbial consortium for efficient biodesulfurization of Kazakhstani high-sulfur coals» |
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Relevance
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Coal is the most abundant and cheap fossil resource that is utilized for power generation, liquid/gas fuels production and chemical manufacturing. However, the presence of sulfur content/forms in coal poses significant difficulties in coal utilization, thereby exacerbating its environmental consequences. As a result, coal biodesulfurization has emerged as a promising coal processing approach for sulfur elimination. This sustainable and eco-friendly clean energy technology may present novel options to mitigate the detrimental impacts of gaseous sulfur oxides. As the energy demand increases at an alarming rate, considerable effort is typically devoted to examining the biodesulfurization performance of Kazakhstani coals to gain a more comprehensive understanding and implement this attractive coal beneficiation approach. |
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Purpose
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To develop a native microbe-based approach with a lab-to-scale-up strategy for biodesulfurization of Kazakhstani high-sulfur-containing coals. |
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Objectives |
- to systematically collect and thoroughly characterize (ultimate and proximate) coal samples from different Kazakhstan coal basins, focusing on their geographical variations and depositional histories. Knowledge of the inherent characteristics and composition of coal is of utmost importance in developing a viable and efficient clean coal approach. - to determine sulfur content in collected coal samples. The total sulfur content can vary considerably, contingent upon the type and origin of coal. A comprehensive understanding of the sulfur content in coal facilitates its proper management and utilization, while promoting adherence to environmental regulations. - to determine the content of different sulfur forms in collected coal samples. Geochemical analyses performed on various sulfur forms present in coals will yield crucial insights into the origins of sulfur and the mechanisms involved in its incorporation. - to isolate, identify, and characterize indigenous microbial strains from different coal deposits in terms of microbiological and functional properties. A comprehensive study that focuses on the metabolic and systematic characteristics of the key microorganisms is essential to create a successful and efficient desulfurization strategy. - to examine isolated microbial strains as a biodesulfurization tool. In comparison to exogenous microbial strains, the native microbial strains demonstrate superior adaptation to the coal environment, which should lead to a notable increase in the efficacy of coal beneficiation. - to design and operate the biodesulfurization process of coal-microbial strains in lab-scale experiments. Understanding the details of coal and microbial cell interaction and its mechanism can yield important scientific insight into coal’s sulfur release/removal behavior. - to characterize the post-biodesulfurization products/processes by means of comprehensive analysis. Assessment of coal bioavailability to sulfur removal can be performed by examining changes in sulfur content/forms, coal structure and chemistry, as well as the formation of byproducts and biosurfactants. - to define/select optimization parameters/conditions of coal biodesulfurization for achieving maximum effectiveness. Microbial, chemical, and physical stimulations, coal pretreatment, and parameter modification are all possible strategies. - to adapt the most optimal parameter/condition for managing the biodesulfurization process in scaling-up systems. The implementation of controlled reactor experiments should be considered when transferring strategies to enhance and expand coal biodesulfurization. Biological and engineering techniques for the system advancement should be addressed. - to investigate the final product properties in terms of SOX emission, ash generation, energy density, and combustion characteristics. - to gain knowledge on overall process efficiencies (investment and operating costs). More scenario analysis will be conducted to confirm its practical implementation. |
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Expected and achieved results
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The research project will result in the implementation of a biodesulfurization approach by employing native strains of microorganisms using reactor bioprocess treatments in order to create an environmentally safe and economically sustainable desulfurization process of Kazakhstani coals. In accordance with the technology readiness levels (TRL), we intend to address the designated objectives in the following order: from the selection of technological concepts (TRL 2. Applied research) to the development work (TRL 4. Experimental development). Namely, from the search for technological approaches to the biodesulfurization of Kazakhstani high-sulfur coals and identifying advantages over alternative methods to the integration of design and technological components of coal desulfurization, checking their compatibility, as well as identifying operational characteristics. Thus, the main scientific and technical results of the work are laboratory and technological regulations, documentation of the coal biodesulfurization process, as well as techniques and methods to produce environmentally safe and economically sustainable desulfurized coal. |
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Research team members with their identifiers (Scopus Author ID, Researcher ID, ORCID, if available) and links to relevant profiles
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