Optimization of factors affecting on sulfide oxidation from synthetic spent caustic by Haloalkaliphilic Thioalkalivibrio versutus by focus on sodium ion effect: Application of response surface methodology

In the present study, the effects of four factors including initial sulfide concentration (mg l-1 ), agitation speed (rpm), amount of inoculums (%) and sodium concentration (mg l-1) on removal efficiency (%R) and yield of sulfate production by Thioalkalivibrio versutus from synthetic spent caustic were investigated. For this purpose, experiments are designed by design of experiments (DOE) and Response Surface Methodology uses results of experiments to determine relationship between experimental factors and measured responses. The coefficient of determination (R2) was calculated as 0.9012 and 0.9544 for removal efficiency (%R) and yield of sulfate production (Y_(SO4/S)), respectively. The best local maximum was found to be at initial sulfide concentration 1500 mg/l, agitation speed 180 rpm, inoculum 8%, Na concentration 1.38 M , removal efficiency 96.99%, yield of sulfate production 2.65 and desirability of 0.909. According to these observations and results Thioalkalivibrio versutus is a suitable bacterium for oxidation of sulfide in spent caustic wastewater.