Effects of the external carbon sources on the microbes in the simultaneous biological removal of SO2 and NO x process

Effects of sodium acetate and glucose on the microbes from the simultaneous flue gas desulfurization and denitrogenation tandem biotrickling process were respectively investigated. For the acidophiles, although the impacts of the carbon sources on the total microbial growth and nitrogen conversion in the medium were slight, the sulfite oxidation rate was obviously improved. The highest sulfite ion oxidation ratio in 48 h was up to 47.2 % as 258.08 mmol L−1 sodium acetate was added in the medium. For the neutrophiles, the two carbons promoted the total microbial growth, but only sodium acetate could enhance the nitrite consumption significantly. The best nitrite consumption rate in 48 h could reach to 86.7 % with 258.08 mmol L−1 sodium acetate. It provides valuable information for the development of biological SO2 and NO x simultaneous purification process.