The porous structure induced heterogeneous and localized failure of the biofilm in microfluidic channels.
Water Sci Technol
; 88(12): 3181-3193, 2023 Dec.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38154803
ABSTRACT
Understanding the mechanism of biofilm distribution and detachment is very important to effectively improve water treatment and prevent blockage in porous media. The existing research is more related to the local biofilm evolving around one or few microposts and the lack of the integral biofilm evolution in a micropost array for a longer growth period. This study combines microfluidic experiments and mathematical simulations to study the distribution and detachment of biofilm in porous media. Microfluidic chips with an array of microposts with different sizes are designed to simulate the physical pore structure of soil. The research shows that the initial formation and distribution of biofilm are influenced by bacterial transport velocity gradients within the pore space. Bacteria prefer to aggregate areas with smaller microposts, leading to the development of biofilm in those regions. Consequently, impermeable blockage structures form in this area. By analyzing experimental images of biofilm structures at the later stages, as well as coupling fluid flow and porous medium, and the finite element simulation, we find that the biofilm detachment is correlated with the morphology and permeability (kb) (from 10-15 to 10-9 m2) of the biofilm. The simulations show that there are two modes of biofilm detachment, such as internal detachment and external erosion.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Biofilmes
/
Microfluídica
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Water Sci Technol
Assunto da revista:
SAUDE AMBIENTAL
/
TOXICOLOGIA
Ano de publicação:
2023
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de publicação:
Reino Unido