Use of sulfate reducing bacteria in petroleum treatment and derivatives with electrical biogeration using solid membrane reactors of microbial fuel cell type

Abstract

Sulphate reducing bacteria (BRS) are a group of microorganisms that use sulfate for their respiratory process. BRS are better known as bacteria that strongly damage the oil production process. However, recently, in the face of the current global scenario regarding environmental preservation and the generation of electric energy, preferably using renewable sources, including domestic and industrial waste, the use of BRS associated with microbial fuel cell technology (CCMs) has received a special attention. The CCMs have been shown to be an innovative device with great potential in the treatment of different effluents and simultaneous generation of bioelectricity by means of electrochemically active microorganisms that act as biocatalysts when converting biodegradable compounds into electricity. In this context, the objective of the present project will be to initiate a study for the development of a protocol for the biotreatment of aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons, such as petroleum and its derivatives in compounds less aggressive to the environment and at the same time generate electricity in a process discontinuous. For this, the electrocatalytic activity of pure BRS cultures and microbial consortia of areas contaminated by the aforementioned compounds will be evaluated using a CCM operated in batch mode.