Effect of biofilm structural deformation on hydraulic resistance during ultrafiltration: A numerical and experimental study

Water Research
Morez JafariCristian Picioreanu

Abstract

Biofilm formation in membrane systems negatively impacts the filtration system performances. This study evaluated how biofilm compression driven by permeate flow increases the hydraulic resistance and leads to reduction in permeate flux. We analysed the effect of biofilm compression on hydraulic resistance and permeate flux through computational models supported by experimental data. Biofilms with homogeneous surface structure were subjected to step-wise changes in flux and transmembrane pressure during compression and relaxation tests. Biofilm thickness under applied forces was measured non-invasively in-situ using optical coherence tomography (OCT). A numerical model of poroelasticity, which couples water flow through the biofilm with biofilm mechanics, was developed to correlate the structural deformation with biofilm hydraulics (permeability and resistance). The computational model enabled extracting mechanical and hydrological parameters corresponding to the experimental data. Homogeneous biofilms under elevated compression forces experienced a significant reduction in thickness while only a slight increase in resistance was observed. This shows that hydraulic resistance of homogeneous biofilms was affected more by permeab...Continue Reading

Citations

Jul 14, 2020·Biotechnology and Bioengineering·Mengfei LiRobert Nerenberg
Aug 7, 2019·International Journal of Molecular Sciences·Cristina Cattò, Francesca Cappitelli
Oct 19, 2020·The Science of the Total Environment·Wanting XiaoGuibai Li
Aug 20, 2021·Critical Reviews in Microbiology·Kecheng QuanHenny C van der Mei

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