Grantee Research Project Results
Final Report: Development of 3D-printed surfaces for ultra-high surface area biofilters for water pollution remediation
EPA Grant Number: SV836951Title: Development of 3D-printed surfaces for ultra-high surface area biofilters for water pollution remediation
Investigators: Blersch, David , Carrano, Andres
Institution: Auburn University Main Campus
EPA Project Officer: Aja, Hayley
Phase: II
Project Period: February 1, 2017 through January 31, 2019
Project Amount: $74,310
RFA: P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition for Sustainability Focusing on People, Prosperity and the Planet - Phase 2 (2016) Recipients Lists
Research Category: P3 Awards , P3 Challenge Area - Safe and Sustainable Water Resources , Sustainable and Healthy Communities
Objective:
To advance the field of biofilter media design and improve bioreactor efficiency by using novel 3D printed carriers.
Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):
Moving Bed Biofilm Reactors (MBBRs) can have a high performance by having suspended carriers that are free to move in the wastewater to be treated while providing a surface for attachment of active micro-organisms. Performance of MBBRs for wastewater treatment is contingent on the characteristics of the surface area of the carriers, and novel designs for topology of carrier surface area can potentially increase MBBR performance. The goal of this work was to assess the design, fabrication and performance of 3-D-printed biofilter media carriers for use in Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR) technology for wastewater treatment. Mathematical models and 3D printing were used to design and fabricate gyroid-shaped carriers with a high degree of complexity at three different scales, providing large specific surface areas compared to industry standard designs. Experimentation with the printed carriers in lab-scale MBBRs showed significantly increased rates of nitrification compared to similar application rates of industry standard K1 Kaldnes biocarrier designs. Outcomes of the project result in new approaches for mathematical design and real-time fabrication of functional biocarrier shapes for improving performance of nitrifying MBBR systems.
Conclusions:
Results not only confirmed the capability to use 3D printing to manufacture biocarriers with a large specific surface area that is scalable, but also demonstrated the carrier functionality for removing ammonia via nitrification from prepared synthetic wastewater at rates that were directly related to the specific surface area of the carrier. The results suggest 3D printing as a valid approach for the design of carriers with high specific surface area that can increase performance in moving bed biofilm reactor technologies for wastewater treatment.
Journal Articles on this Report : 1 Displayed | Download in RIS Format
| Other project views: | All 9 publications | 3 publications in selected types | All 3 journal articles |
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Elliott O, Gray S, McClay M, Nassief B, Nunnelley A, Vogt E, Ekong J, Kardel K, Khoshkhoo A, Proaño G, Blersch DM. Design and Manufacturing of High Surface Area 3D‐Printed Media for Moving Bed Bioreactors for Wastewater Treatment. Journal of Contemporary Water Research & Education. 2017;160(1):144-56. |
SV836951 (Final) |
Exit Exit |
Supplemental Keywords:
additive manufacturing, ammonia removal, moving bed biofilm reactor, specific surface area, gyroid, nitrificationProgress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractP3 Phase I:
Development of 3D-printed surfaces for ultra-high surface area trickling biofilters for water pollution remediation | Final ReportThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.