Desulfurization of coal using heterogeneous microbial species isolated from acid mine drainage, Talabira Coal Mines, Sambalpur, Odisha

Aim: The present study aims to assess the coal desulfurizing efficiency of heterogenous microbial consortia isolated from drainage water of Talabira Coal Mines, Sambalpur, Odisha. Methodology: Microbial species in the mine drainage water were isolated and cultured using 9K+ medium. Identification of microbial species was performed by the amplification of 16S rDNA. The heterogeneous microbial consortia were incubated with pulverized coal to assess their desulphurizing efficiency. Results: The proximate analysis of the coal sample revealed 34.92% fixed carbon, 9.01% moisture, 33.38% ash and 25.44% volatile matter. After incubation of the pulverized coal with isolated and cultured heterogeneous microbial species from MDW water of Talabira coal mines area, Odisha for 24 days in aerobic condition, the total sulphur content was reduced from 2.86% to 1.61%, while significant removal of pyritic Sulphur (48%) was obtained from 1.72% to 0.91%. However, no remarkable reduction was seen in the case of organic Sulphur. Interpretation: The results showed that drainage water of Talabira Mines inhabits numerous potential desulfurizing bacterial species that need further isolation, characterization, and process optimization to achieve optimal sulphur removal efficiency. Key words: Autotrophic bacteria, Coal, Microbial desulfurization