Nanofilters and bacteria to clean water

Posted on Saturday, March 01 2008 @ 20:30 CET by Thomas De Maesschalck
Researchers at the University of Nottingham are experimenting with a combination of nanofilters and bacteria to remove pollutants or contaminants from water:
Rather than just study nanofilters with nanopores or waste-eating bacteria, the English researchers at the University of Nottingham -- headed by Nidal Hilal, Professor of Chemical and Process Engineering in the Centre for Clean Water Technologies -- combined the two exciting fields to develop a new prototype system, which provides a glimpse at the potential future of water filtration. The water enters the system and is first passed through colonies of bacteria, which eat contaminants. The water then flows through an adjacent nanofilter, featuring pores, which are between ten thousandths of a millimeter to one nanometer thick.

The work is similar to other research funded by the Middle East Desalination Research Centre on nanofiltration and ultrafiltration. The goal is to be able to create pure, drinkable fresh water from sea water or water contaminated from industrial processes.

The key improvement in the Professor Hilal's system is the use of bacteria. The bacteria eat the contaminates which prevent the filter from getting clogged and keep the water flowing. The tech can thus be used in a closed system without the need for regular membrane replacement.

The research is sponsored by a tech partnership with Cardev International, an oil filtration company based in Harrogate, England.

One fortunate benefit of the process is that the waste it generates in the form of contaminate-laden bacteria has a high calorific content, meaning that it makes an ideal fuel. This could improve the efficiency of many types of industrial power generation.

Another benefit of the research is by using state-of-the-art atomic force microscope equipment at the University, researchers are studying fluid movement at the nanoscale, which will allow for a better understanding of how liquids flow and pull apart at the nanoscale. This could have broad applications in mechanical engineering, including improving oil flow and thus efficiency in automotive engines. Researchers are testing liquids over a broad temperature range from -50 deg. C to 150 deg. C, which should help to yield a broad understanding of behavior.
More info at DailyTech.


About the Author

Thomas De Maesschalck

Thomas has been messing with computer since early childhood and firmly believes the Internet is the best thing since sliced bread. Enjoys playing with new tech, is fascinated by science, and passionate about financial markets. When not behind a computer, he can be found with running shoes on or lifting heavy weights in the weight room.



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