Researchers in Iran publish what they describe as the first study of fungi capable of removing sulfur, a major source of air pollution, from crude oil more efficiently than conventional refining methods.
Researchers in Iran are publishing what they describe as the first study of fungi capable of removing sulfur - a major source of air pollution - from crude oil more efficiently than conventional refining methods.
The finding could help reduce air pollution and acid rain resulting from the release of sulfur-containing substances from gasoline and could help fuel companies agree on fuel emission standards, say the scientists.
Jalal Shayegan and his colleagues point out that methods exist to refine so-called "heavy" or "high-sulfur" crude fuel from converting sulfur into hydrogen sulfide gas (H2S) at high temperatures and pressures. However, these methods still leave sulfur-based by-products that contaminate the gasoline and other types of fuels. However, no researcher has tried to date to use these microorganisms for the so-called "biodesulfurization" (biological removal of sulfur) of heavy crude oil, they explain.
In the new study, the scientists describe the isolation and examination of the first fungi of their kind capable of removing sulfur from heavy crude oil. The fungi, that Stachybotrys oil were able to remove 65-76 percent of the sulfur found in certain heavy crude oil from two different oil fields.
The process does not require high temperatures and high energy consumption, as it occurs slightly above room temperature, the scientists say.
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Anyone stressed from loss of income?
Now it would be a shame to bomb them...
But then another pollution is obtained: mushrooms in oil.