A Novel Bio-carrier Fabricated Using 3D Printing Technique for Wastewater Treatment

Sci Rep. 2015 Jul 23:5:12400. doi: 10.1038/srep12400.

Abstract

The structure of bio-carriers is one of the key operational characteristics of a biofilm reactor. The goal of this study is to develop a series of novel fullerene-type bio-carriers using the three-dimensional printing (3DP) technique. 3DP can fabricate bio-carriers with more specialized structures compared with traditional fabrication processes. In this research, three types of fullerene-type bio-carriers were fabricated using the 3DP technique and then compared with bio-carrier K3 (from AnoxKaldnes) in the areas of physicochemical properties and biofilm growth. Images acquired by 3D profiling and SEM indicated that the surface roughness of the 3DP bio-carrier was greater than that of K3. Furthermore, contact angle data indicated that the 3DP bio-carriers were more hydrophilic than K3. The biofilm on the 3DP bio-carriers exhibited higher microbial activity and stronger adhesion ability. These findings were attributed to excellent mass transfer of the substrate (and oxygen) between the vapour-liquid-solid tri-phase system and to the surface characteristics. It is concluded that the novel 3DP fullerene-type bio-carriers are ideal carriers for biofilm adherence and growth.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bioreactors / microbiology*
  • Equipment Design
  • Equipment Failure Analysis
  • Membranes, Artificial
  • Molecular Imprinting / methods*
  • Nylons / chemistry*
  • Wastewater / chemistry
  • Wastewater / microbiology*
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / isolation & purification
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / metabolism*
  • Water Purification / instrumentation*
  • Water Purification / methods

Substances

  • Membranes, Artificial
  • Nylons
  • Waste Water
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical