REMOCIÓN BIOLÓGICA DE BARIO DE AGUAS DE PRODUCCIÓN UTILIZANDO ASOCIACIONES MICROBIANAS ESTRATIFICADAS (AME)

Abstract

This work shows the development of a technique for biological removal of barium from production waters. This technology, called stratified microbial associations (SMA), was evaluated at laboratory and bench scale levels. Removal capacity of this metal was demostrated by microcosmos and bioreactor assay. The role of reduced sulfur availability, residence time, flow pattern and bioreactor size were also evaluated. Elemental composition of the solid constituents, localization and nature of the metal deposits in the bioreactor were determined by electron microscopy. This process has an efficiency of 95%-98% of barium removal with concentrations between 8 and 50 gm-3. Metal capture is mainly due to biosorption and the formation of low solubility complexes such as barium sulphate.

Keywords

• aguas de producción
• bario
• AME
• bacterias oxidadoras de sulfuros