Dynamics of particle loading in deep-bed filter. Transport, deposition and reentrainment

Deep bed filtration is an effective method of submicron and micron particle removal from the fluid stream. There is an extensive body of literature regarding particle deposition in filters, often using the classical continuum approach. However, the approach is not convenient for studying the influence of particle deposition on filter performance (filtration efficiency, pressure drop) when non-steady state boundary conditions have to be introduced. For the purposes of this work the lattice-Boltzmann model describes fluid dynamics, while the solid particle motion is modeled by the Brownian dynamics. For aggregates the effect of their structure on displacement is taken into account. The possibility of particles rebound from the surface of collector or reentrainment of deposits to fluid stream is calculated by energy balanced oscillatory model derived from adhesion theory. The results show the evolution of filtration efficiency and pressure drop of filters with different internal structure described by the size of pores. The size of resuspended aggregates and volume distribution of deposits in filter were also analyzed. The model enables prediction of dynamic filter behavior. It can be a very useful tool for designing filter structures which optimize maximum lifetime with the acceptable values of filtration efficiency and pressure drop

Towards a Numerical Model of Bacterial Filtration in Fibrous Filters

A model of bacterial filtration on fibrous filter media is developed. The single fibre efficiency as well as the efficiency of the whole filter - at the onset of the process and the evolution of those quantities - are analysed. The differences between the numerical modelling of colloidal particles and bacteria are stressed in detail. The main differences are the active motion ability of bacteria and biofilm formation. The parameters of the model were identified based on the literature data

Exceptional Sorption of Heavy Metals from Natural Water by Halloysite Particles: A New Prospect of Highly Efficient Water Remediation

Halloysite particles, with their unique multilayer nanostructure, are demonstrated here as highly efficient and readily available sorbent of heavy metals that can be easily scaled up and used in large-scale water remediation facilities. The various methods of raw material purification were applied, and their effects were verified using techniques such as BET isotherm (determination of specific surface area and size of pores), XRF analysis (composition), and SEM imaging (determination of morphology). A series of adsorption experiments for aqueous solutions of metal ions (i.e., lead, cadmium) were carried out to quantify the sorption capacity of halloysite particles for selected heavy metals. The ability of adequately activated halloysite to efficiently remove heavy metal ions from water solutions was confirmed. The value of the zeta potential of raw and purified halloysite particles in water was determined. This enables us to understand its importance for the sorption of positively charged ions (metal, organics) at various pH values. The adsorption process conducted in the pH range of 6.0–6.5 showed significant improvement compared to the acidic conditions (pH value 3.0–3.5) and resulted in a high sorption capacity of lead ions—above 24.3 mg/g for the sulphuric acid-treated sample. The atomic scale ab initio calculations revealed a significant difference in adsorption energy between the external siloxane surface and cross-sectional interlayer surface, resulting in pronounced adsorption anisotropy. A low energy barrier was calculated for the interlayer migration of heavy metals into the halloysite interior, facilitating access to the active sites in these regions, thus significantly increasing the sorption capacity and kinetics. DFT (density functional theory) calculations supporting this study allowed for predicting the sorption potential of pure halloysite structure towards heavy metals. To confront it with experimental results, it was crucial to determine proper purification conditions to obtain such a developed structure from the mineral ore. The results show a massive increase in the BET area and confirm a high sorption potential of modified halloysite towards heavy metals

Plazmowa depozycja antybakteryjnych powłok srebra i miedzi na powierzchni polipropylenu

This paper addresses the issue of plasma treatment of the surface of polypropylene (PP) using sputtering of silver (Ag) and copper (Cu) and their oxides with MS-PVD in order to impart antimicrobial activity. It was found that plasma treatment of PP with Cu and Ag based layers allows to provide excellent antimicrobial properties due to a constant release of metal ions. The samples of PP treated with Cu and CuO were characterized by highest antimicrobial properties and stability of the coatings. The most stable and least effective coating against bacteria was Ag-PP sample. In turn, AgO-PP was characterized by the lowest stability in aqueous conditions and strong antimicrobial activity. It was found that leaching of metal ions from the surface of treated PP even in exceptional levels plays a crucial role in bactericidal activity.Niniejsza praca dotyczy plazmowej obróbki powierzchni polipropylenu (PP) przy użyciu miedzi (Cu) i srebra (Ag) oraz ich tlenków. Powłoki Cu, CuO, Agi AgO, wytworzone na powierzchni PP metodą rozpylania magnetronowego MS-PVD, zbadano pod względem morfologii, składu, stabilności i właściwości antybakteryjnych. Materiały powierzchniowo zmodyfikowane przy użyciu Cu i CuO charakteryzowały się najsilniejszymi właściwościami przeciwbakteryjnymi i najmniejszą stabilnością i trwałością w środowisku wodnym. Powłoka AgO wykazywała najmniejszą stabilność w warunkach wodnych i silną aktywność przeciwbakteryjną, natomiast powłoka Ag wykazywała największą stabilność, a zarazem najsłabsze działanie przeciwbakteryjne. Uzyskane wyniki wskazują, że uwalniane z naniesionych powłok jony, nawet w niewielkim stężeniu, wykazują silne działanie antybakteryjne