The kinetics of sulfur oxidation by T. thiooxidans dans has been studied in a batch well-mixed reactor and in ms shaker flasks. A mathematical model is proposed, which considers the attachment of the cells onto the sulfur par-ms, tides' surface following Freundlich isotherm, growth of the mse attached bacteria, and growth inhibition by sulfates accumulation. Best-fit values of the model parameters have been calculated from the experimental data. Results show that the addition of dimethyl-dichloro-silane in the aerated ro reactor to prevent the formation of foam reduces the maximum specific growth rate of attached bacteria, probably because of the resulting changes in surface properties of the sulfur particles. The other model parameters are not significantly affected. The formation of clusters of sulfur particles has been observed at an initial sulfur concentration of 5%. This phenomenon reduces the rate of sulfur conversion due to the reduction of the total surface area of the particles, and the model therefore overestimates the formation of sulfates. At lower initial sulfur concentration, the phenomenon has not been observed and the model simulations are then satisfactory.
