Alleviating the thiols-induced inhibition of bio-sulfur particles and bio-oxidation in the biological desulfurization process under haloalkaline conditions

[Display omitted] •Haloalkaline conditions alleviated thiols’ inhibition on bio-sulfur nanoparticles.•The BDS exhibits an improved tolerance towards thiols under haloalkaline conditions.•Haloalkaline conditions contributed to mitigate aggregation behaviors of BSNPs.•Elevated surface hydrophobicity of BSNPs caused by thiols was reduced. Thiols substantially impede the bio-oxidation of sulfur-oxidizing bacteria and alter the characteristics of bio-sulfur particles in the biological desulfurization process. Such constraints subsequently decrease the efficiency and stability of biological desulfurization technology towards thiols-containing gaseous compounds. This research delves into mitigating the inhibitory effects of thiols on bio-sulfur particles and the bio-oxidation process under haloalkaline conditions. This study evaluated the impact of haloalkaline conditions on the inhibitory effects of thiols through utilizing Thioalkalivibrio versutus D301, a microorganism displaying tolerance towards high pH and salinity, as the preparation system for bio-sulfur nanoparticles (BSNPs). Under haloalkaline conditions, the adverse influence of thiols on the oxidation rate of S2O2-3 was effectively alleviated, resulting in an enhanced tolerance of the biological desulfurization system towards thiols. Furthermore, haloalkaline conditions aided in preserving the stability of the sulfur particles and reducing their tendency to aggregate under the influence of thiols. Moreover, haloalkaline conditions relieved the morphological alterations in sulfur particles induced by thiols, enriched the surface stability of the sulfur particles, and mitigated the increase in hydrophobicity induced by thiols. These conclusive findings provide new perspectives for optimizing the biological desulfurization process and suggest potential research and application avenues.