1
|
Hashemiesfahan M, Christiaens JW, Maisto A, Gelin P, Gardeniers H, De Malsche W. Characterizing Acoustic Behavior of Silicon Microchannels Separated by a Porous Wall. MICROMACHINES 2024; 15:868. [PMID: 39064377 PMCID: PMC11279238 DOI: 10.3390/mi15070868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2024] [Revised: 06/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
Lateral flow membrane microdevices are widely used for chromatographic separation processes and diagnostics. The separation performance of microfluidic lateral membrane devices is determined by mass transfer limitations in the membrane, and in the liquid phase, mass transfer resistance is dependent on the channel dimensions and transport properties of the species separated by the membrane. We present a novel approach based on an active bulk acoustic wave (BAW) mixing method to enhance lateral transport in micromachined silicon devices. BAWs have been previously applied in channels for mixing and trapping cells and particles in single channels, but this is, to the best of our knowledge, the first instance of their application in membrane devices. Our findings demonstrate that optimal resonance is achieved with minimal influence of the pore configuration on the average lateral flow. This has practical implications for the design of microfluidic devices, as the channels connected through porous walls under the acoustic streaming act as 760 µm-wide channels rather than two 375 µm-wide channels in the context of matching the standing pressure wave criteria of the piezoelectric transducer. However, the roughness of the microchannel walls does seem to play a significant role in mixing. A roughened (black silicon) wall results in a threefold increase in average streaming flow in BAW mode, suggesting potential avenues for further optimization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mehrnaz Hashemiesfahan
- µFlow Group, Department of Chemical Engineering, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1050 Brussels, Belgium; (J.W.C.); (A.M.); (P.G.)
- Mesoscale Chemical Systems Group, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands;
| | - Jo Wim Christiaens
- µFlow Group, Department of Chemical Engineering, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1050 Brussels, Belgium; (J.W.C.); (A.M.); (P.G.)
- Mesoscale Chemical Systems Group, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands;
| | - Antonio Maisto
- µFlow Group, Department of Chemical Engineering, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1050 Brussels, Belgium; (J.W.C.); (A.M.); (P.G.)
| | - Pierre Gelin
- µFlow Group, Department of Chemical Engineering, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1050 Brussels, Belgium; (J.W.C.); (A.M.); (P.G.)
| | - Han Gardeniers
- Mesoscale Chemical Systems Group, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands;
| | - Wim De Malsche
- µFlow Group, Department of Chemical Engineering, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1050 Brussels, Belgium; (J.W.C.); (A.M.); (P.G.)
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Flow dynamics through discontinuous clogs of rigid particles in tapered microchannels. Sci Rep 2022; 12:22587. [PMID: 36585430 PMCID: PMC9803713 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-25831-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Suspended particles flowing through complex porous spaces exhibit clogging mechanisms determined by factors including their size, deformability, and the geometry of the confinement. This study describes the clogging of rigid particles in a microfluidic device made up of parallel microchannels that taper from the inlet to the outlet, where the constriction width is approximately equal to the particle size. This converging geometry summarizes the dynamics of clogging in flow channels with constrictions that narrow over multiple length scales. Our novel approach allows the investigation of suspension flow dynamics in confined systems where clogs are formed both by sieving and bridging mechanisms simultaneously. Here, flow tests are conducted at constant driving pressures for different particle volume fractions, and a power-law decay which appears to be peculiar to the channels' tapered geometry is observed in all cases. Compared to non-tapered channels, the power-law behavior shows flowrate decay is significantly weaker in tapered channels. This weaker flowrate decay is explained by the formation of discontinuous clogs within each channel. Micrographs of the clogged channels reveal clogs do not grow continuously from their initial positions around the channels' outlet. Rather, new clogs spanning the width of the channel at their points of inception are successively formed as the cake grows toward the inlet area in each microchannel. The results show changes in particle volume fraction at constant driving pressure affect the clogging rate without impacting the underlying dynamics. Unexpectedly, analyses of the particles packing behavior in the microchannels, and post-clogging permeability of the microfluidic devices, reveal the presence of two distinct regimes of driving pressure, though only a small portion of the total device volume and channels surface area are occupied by clogs, regardless of the particle volume fraction. This novel investigation of discontinuous clogging over multiple particle diameters provides unique insights into additional mechanisms to control flow losses in filtration and other confined systems.
Collapse
|
3
|
Tan DY, Hashimoto T, Takizawa S. 3D modeling of PVDF membrane aging using scanning electron microscope and OpenCV image analysis. J Memb Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2022.121141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
|
4
|
Jiang Q, Wang Y, Xie Y, Zhou M, Gu Q, Zhong Z, Xing W. Silicon carbide microfiltration membranes for oil-water separation: Pore structure-dependent wettability matters. WATER RESEARCH 2022; 216:118270. [PMID: 35339967 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.118270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Both the pore size and surface properties of silicon carbide (SiC) membranes are demonstrated to significantly affect their separation efficiency when used for oily water treatment. However, the potential influences of open porosity together with the pore size of SiC membranes on their surface properties and oil-water separation performance have rarely been investigated. In this work, porous SiC ceramic membranes with tunable open porosity and pore size were purposely prepared and selected to systematically study the effect of pore structure-dependent wettability on the oil-water separation performance. The measured pure water flux of selected membranes as a function of open porosity (34-48%) and pore size (0.43-0.67 μm) was well-fitted by using a modified H-P equation. Interestingly, the hydrophilicity of SiC membranes was improved with the increase in open porosity and pore size, as evidenced by the gradually decreased dynamic water contact angle and underwater adhesion of oil droplets. Further, the open porosity of SiC membranes was found to contribute more to the improved surface wettability. As a result, the stable flux of SiC membranes in oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions was increased by 24% with the increased open porosity while the oil rejection rate remained above 90%. This work quantitatively reveals the contributions of the pore structure to the surface wettability of ceramic membranes, and thus provides an effective pathway to improve their performance in oil-water separation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qian Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, National Engineering Research Center for Special Separation Membrane, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Yaxin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, National Engineering Research Center for Special Separation Membrane, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Yuling Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, National Engineering Research Center for Special Separation Membrane, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Ming Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, National Engineering Research Center for Special Separation Membrane, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Qilin Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, National Engineering Research Center for Special Separation Membrane, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 210009, China.
| | - Zhaoxiang Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, National Engineering Research Center for Special Separation Membrane, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Weihong Xing
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, National Engineering Research Center for Special Separation Membrane, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 210009, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Sarker NR, Bilton AM. Real-time computational imaging of reverse osmosis membrane scaling under intermittent operation. J Memb Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2021.119556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
|
6
|
Ghosh UU, Ali H, Ghosh R, Kumar A. Bacterial streamers as colloidal systems: Five grand challenges. J Colloid Interface Sci 2021; 594:265-278. [PMID: 33765646 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2021.02.102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Bacteria can thrive in biofilms, which are intricately organized communities with cells encased in a self-secreted matrix of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). Imposed hydrodynamic stresses can transform this active colloidal dispersion of bacteria and EPS into slender thread-like entities called streamers. In this perspective article, the reader is introduced to the world of such deformable 'bacteria-EPS' composites that are a subclass of the generic flow-induced colloidal structures. While bacterial streamers have been shown to form in a variety of hydrodynamic conditions (turbulent and creeping flows), its abiotic analogues have only been demonstrated in low Reynolds number (Re < 1) particle-laden polymeric flows. Streamers are relevant to a variety of situations ranging from natural formations in caves and river beds to clogging of biomedical devices and filtration membranes. A critical review of the relevant biophysical aspects of streamer formation phenomena and unique attributes of its material behavior are distilled to unveil five grand scientific challenges. The coupling between colloidal hydrodynamics, device geometry and streamer formation are highlighted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Udita U Ghosh
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Hessein Ali
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, USA
| | - Ranajay Ghosh
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, USA.
| | - Aloke Kumar
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Cirillo AI, Tomaiuolo G, Guido S. Membrane Fouling Phenomena in Microfluidic Systems: From Technical Challenges to Scientific Opportunities. MICROMACHINES 2021; 12:820. [PMID: 34357230 PMCID: PMC8305447 DOI: 10.3390/mi12070820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The almost ubiquitous, though undesired, deposition and accumulation of suspended/dissolved matter on solid surfaces, known as fouling, represents a crucial issue strongly affecting the efficiency and sustainability of micro-scale reactors. Fouling becomes even more detrimental for all the applications that require the use of membrane separation units. As a matter of fact, membrane technology is a key route towards process intensification, having the potential to replace conventional separation procedures, with significant energy savings and reduced environmental impact, in a broad range of applications, from water purification to food and pharmaceutical industries. Despite all the research efforts so far, fouling still represents an unsolved problem. The complex interplay of physical and chemical mechanisms governing its evolution is indeed yet to be fully unraveled and the role played by foulants' properties or operating conditions is an area of active research where microfluidics can play a fundamental role. The aim of this review is to explore fouling through microfluidic systems, assessing the fundamental interactions involved and how microfluidics enables the comprehension of the mechanisms characterizing the process. The main mathematical models describing the fouling stages will also be reviewed and their limitations discussed. Finally, the principal dynamic investigation techniques in which microfluidics represents a key tool will be discussed, analyzing their employment to study fouling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Iginio Cirillo
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica, dei Materiali e della Produzione Industriale, University of Naples Federico, 80125 Naples, Italy; (A.I.C.); (S.G.)
- CEINGE Advanced Biotechnologies, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanna Tomaiuolo
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica, dei Materiali e della Produzione Industriale, University of Naples Federico, 80125 Naples, Italy; (A.I.C.); (S.G.)
- CEINGE Advanced Biotechnologies, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Stefano Guido
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica, dei Materiali e della Produzione Industriale, University of Naples Federico, 80125 Naples, Italy; (A.I.C.); (S.G.)
- CEINGE Advanced Biotechnologies, 80131 Naples, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
|
9
|
Qamar A, Kerdi S, Ali SM, Shon HK, Vrouwenvelder JS, Ghaffour N. Novel hole-pillar spacer design for improved hydrodynamics and biofouling mitigation in membrane filtration. Sci Rep 2021; 11:6979. [PMID: 33772069 PMCID: PMC7998016 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-86459-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Feed spacers are the critical components of any spiral-wound filtration module, dictating the filtration performance. Three spacer designs, namely a non-woven commercial spacer (varying filament cross-section), a symmetric pillar spacer, and a novel hole-pillar spacer (constant filament diameter) were studied using Direct Numerical Simulations (DNS), 3-D printed and subsequently experimentally tested in a lab-scale ultrafiltration set-up with high biofouling potential feed water at various feed pressures. Independent of the applied pressure, the novel hole-pillar spacer showed initially the lowest feed channel pressure drop, the lowest shear stress, and the highest permeate flux compared to the commercial and pillar spacers. Furthermore, less biofilm thickness development on membrane surface was visualized by Optical Coherent Tomography (OCT) imaging for the proposed hole-pillar spacer. At higher feed pressure, a thicker biofilm developed on membrane surface for all spacer designs explaining the stronger decrease in permeate flux at high pressure. The findings systematically demonstrated the role of various spacer designs and applied pressure on the performance of pre-treatment process, while identifying specific shear stress distribution guidelines for engineering a new spacer design in different filtration techniques.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adnan Qamar
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC), Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sarah Kerdi
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC), Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Syed Muztuza Ali
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology, Sydney, Post Box 129, Broadway, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - Ho Kyong Shon
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology, Sydney, Post Box 129, Broadway, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - Johannes S Vrouwenvelder
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC), Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Noreddine Ghaffour
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC), Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Hydrodynamics and surface properties influence biofilm proliferation. Adv Colloid Interface Sci 2021; 288:102336. [PMID: 33421727 DOI: 10.1016/j.cis.2020.102336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
A biofilm is an interface-associated colloidal dispersion of bacterial cells and excreted polymers in which microorganisms find protection from their environment. Successful colonization of a surface by a bacterial community is typically a detriment to human health and property. Insight into the biofilm life-cycle provides clues on how their proliferation can be suppressed. In this review, we follow a cell through the cycle of attachment, growth, and departure from a colony. Among the abundance of factors that guide the three phases, we focus on hydrodynamics and stratum properties due to the synergistic effect such properties have on bacteria rejection and removal. Cell motion, whether facilitated by the environment via medium flow or self-actuated by use of an appendage, drastically improves the survivability of a bacterium. Once in the vicinity of a stratum, a single cell is exposed to near-surface interactions, such as van der Waals, electrostatic and specific interactions, similarly to any other colloidal particle. The success of the attachment and the potential for detachment is heavily influenced by surface properties such as material type and topography. The growth of the colony is similarly guided by mainstream flow and the convective transport throughout the biofilm. Beyond the growth phase, hydrodynamic traction forces on a biofilm can elicit strongly non-linear viscoelastic responses from the biofilm soft matter. As the colony exhausts the means of survival at a particular location, a set of trigger signals activates mechanisms of bacterial release, a life-cycle phase also facilitated by fluid flow. A review of biofilm-relevant hydrodynamics and startum properties provides insight into future research avenues.
Collapse
|
11
|
Lucas K, Ahmad SD, Dehghani M, Gaborski T, McGrath J. Critical flux behavior of ultrathin membranes in protein-rich solutions. Sep Purif Technol 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.seppur.2020.117342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
|
12
|
Bouhid de Aguiar I, Schroën K. Microfluidics Used as a Tool to Understand and Optimize Membrane Filtration Processes. MEMBRANES 2020; 10:E316. [PMID: 33138236 PMCID: PMC7692330 DOI: 10.3390/membranes10110316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Membrane filtration processes are best known for their application in the water, oil, and gas sectors, but also in food production they play an eminent role. Filtration processes are known to suffer from a decrease in efficiency in time due to e.g., particle deposition, also known as fouling and pore blocking. Although these processes are not very well understood at a small scale, smart engineering approaches have been used to keep membrane processes running. Microfluidic devices have been increasingly applied to study membrane filtration processes and accommodate observation and understanding of the filtration process at different scales, from nanometer to millimeter and more. In combination with microscopes and high-speed imaging, microfluidic devices allow real time observation of filtration processes. In this review we will give a general introduction on microfluidic devices used to study membrane filtration behavior, followed by a discussion of how microfluidic devices can be used to understand current challenges. We will then discuss how increased knowledge on fundamental aspects of membrane filtration can help optimize existing processes, before wrapping up with an outlook on future prospects on the use of microfluidics within the field of membrane separation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Izabella Bouhid de Aguiar
- Membrane Science and Technology—Membrane Processes for Food, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands;
| | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Computational Optimization of Porous Structures for Electrochemical Processes. Processes (Basel) 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/pr8101205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Porous structures are naturally involved in electrochemical processes. The specific architectures of the available porous materials, as well as their physical properties, crucially affect their applications, e.g., their use in fuel cells, batteries, or electrolysers. A key point is the correlation of transport properties (mass, heat, and charges) in the spatially—and in certain cases also temporally—distributed pore structure. In this paper, we use mathematical modeling to investigate the impact of the pore structure on the distribution of wetting and non-wetting phases in porous transport layers used in water electrolysis. We present and discuss the potential of pore network models and an upscaling strategy for the simulation of the saturation of the pore space with liquid and gas, as well as the computation of the relative permeabilities and oxygen dissolution and diffusion. It is studied how a change of structure, i.e., the spatial grading of the pore size distribution and porosity, change the transport properties. Several situations are investigated, including a vertical gradient ranging from small to large pore sizes and vice versa, as well as a dual-porosity network. The simulation results indicate that the specific porous structure has a significant impact on the spatial distribution of species and their respective relative permeabilities. In more detail, it is found that the continuous increase of pore sizes from the catalyst layer side towards the water inlet interface yields the best transport properties among the investigated pore networks. This outcome could be useful for the development of grading strategies, specifically for material optimization for improved transport kinetics in water electrolyser applications and for electrochemical processes in general.
Collapse
|
14
|
Mahlangu OT, Mamba BB, Verliefde ARD. Effect of multivalent cations on membrane‐foulant and foulant‐foulant interactions controlling fouling of nanofiltration membranes. POLYM ADVAN TECHNOL 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/pat.4986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Oranso T. Mahlangu
- Department of Environmental, Water and Earth Science Tshwane University of Technology Pretoria South Africa
- Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability Research Unit, College of Science, Engineering and Technology University of South Africa Roodepoort South Africa
| | - Bhekie B. Mamba
- Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability Research Unit, College of Science, Engineering and Technology University of South Africa Roodepoort South Africa
| | - Arne R. D. Verliefde
- Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Department of Applied Analytical and Physical Chemistry Ghent University Ghent Belgium
| |
Collapse
|