We present a model of biofilm growth in a long channel where the biomass is assumed to have the rheology of a viscous polymer solution. We examine the competition between growth and erosion-like surface detachment due to the flow. A particular focus of our investigation is the effect of the biofilm growth on the fluid flow in the pores, and the issue of whether biomass can grow sufficiently to ...

A Sporothrix variecibatus-inoculated biotrickling filter (BTF) was examined for styrene removal, without and with the addition of silicone oil, at different empty bed residence times. The highest elimination capacities (ECs) were 172.8 (without silicone oil) and 670 g m(-3)h(-1) (with silicone oil), respectively, corresponding to a 4-fold improvement in presence of oil. The addition of silicone...

The effects of ionic strength of the permeating fluid on the clogging of soil filters and drainage layers are addressed using both experimental and modeling investigations. In the experimental phase, a sandy soil representative of soil filters was permeated with pore fluids containing kaolinite particles. The ionic strength of the solutions was changed using different concentrations of NaOH and...

We have investigated the phenomenon of flow-induced aggregation in highly concentrated colloidal dispersions exposed to strongly converging flow fields. This phenomenon is relevant not only for classical technical operations like coating, pumping or filtration, but also for the application of concentrated suspensions in upcoming processing technologies based on microfluidic devices. A ring-slit...

Infiltration capacity of bank filtration systems depends on water extraction and hydraulic resistance of the bed sediments. Lakebed hydraulics may be especially affected by clogging, which is dependent on settlement of fine particles, redox potential, and other factors. In the field, most of these processes are difficult to quantify, and thus, when calculating response to pumping the water flux...

Permeable interlocking concrete pavements (PICP) are specifically designed to remove sediment and other pollutants from stormwater runoff. Over time, this can lead to clogging of the PICP system. Previous research has shown that much of the clogging occurs on the bedding aggregate directly below the paving joints, while the remainder of the aggregate is unaffected. This paper describes a proof ...

This study investigates the feasibility of management of aquifer recharge (MAR) in Lebanon by designing well barriers to remove seawater intrusion from the fractured carbonate aquifers. Groundwater flow and saltwater/freshwater 50% sharp interface have been modeled along the coastal area using the Ghyben-Herzberg theory. The groundwater flow simulations have been supported by field transmissivi...

Accumulation of particles in a high concentration on a microchannel wall is a common phenomenon in a colloidal fluid. Gradual accumulation/deposition of particles can eventually obstruct the fluid flow and lead to clogging, which seriously affects the accuracy and reliability of nozzle-based printing and causes damage to the nozzle. Particle accumulation in a 100 μm microchannel was investigate...

In recent years, limitations linked to traditional urban drainage schemes have been pointed out and new approaches were developed introducing more natural methods for retaining and/or disposing of stormwater. Such practices include infiltration and storage tanks in order to reduce the peak flow and retain part of the polluting components. The impact of such practices on stormwater quantity and ...

Clogging of channels by complex systems such as mixtures of colloidal and biological particles is commonly encountered in different applications. In this work, we analyze and compare the clogging mechanisms and dynamics by pure and mixture suspensions of polystyrene latex particles and Escherichia coli by coupling fluorescent microscopic observation and dynamic permeability measurements in micr...