Multilevel 3D printed biomimetic lotus leaf device for water pollutant adsorption

Abstract

The application discloses a multilayer 3D printing biomimetic lotus leaf device for water body pollutant adsorption, and belongs to the technical field of water body pollutant adsorption. The device comprises a primary biomimetic frame in the shape of a regular hexagon, a support column is arranged at the central position of the primary biomimetic frame, and the support column is not in contact with the primary biomimetic frame. A plurality of connecting rods are arranged between the support column and the primary biomimetic frame, one end of each connecting rod is fixedly connected with the support column, the other end of each connecting rod is movably arranged on the primary biomimetic frame in a clamping mode, and each connecting rod can move along the axis of the primary biomimetic frame. Connection heads and connection grooves for splicing are arranged on the outer edges of the primary biomimetic frame. The primary biomimetic frame and the connecting rods are made of 3D printing. The biomimetic lotus leaf device further comprises a water quality detector for monitoring water quality. A settling device for connecting rod settling is arranged below the connecting rods. The device can prolong the adsorption time and improve the treatment efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of water pollutant adsorption technology, specifically to a multi-level 3D-printed biomimetic lotus leaf device for adsorbing water pollutants. Background Technology

[0002] Pollutants in water bodies, such as large molecular organic compounds and heavy metals, pose potential or direct harm to the environment and human health. Therefore, the removal of water pollutants is of great significance to human health and development.

[0003] The commonly used adsorbents for adsorbing pollutants in water bodies are mainly adsorbents, such as the one described in patent CN103706336A, entitled "Preparation Method of Adsorbent for Adsorbing and Degrading Pollutants in Water Bodies." This patent discloses a method for preparing an adsorbent for adsorbing and degrading seawater pollutants. The adsorbent in this patent has good adsorption performance and high removal efficiency for petroleum substances and heavy metal elements such as Cr, Cu, Mn, and Zn in water bodies. However, its adsorption effect only lasts for 15-30 days because prolonged soaking of the adsorbent will adversely affect its lifespan. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To overcome the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention proposes a multi-level 3D-printed biomimetic lotus leaf device for adsorbing pollutants in water, which aims to solve the technical problem of how to ensure the adsorption of pollutants while extending its service life.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a multi-level 3D-printed biomimetic lotus leaf device for adsorbing pollutants in water, comprising a primary hexagonal biomimetic frame, a support column located at the center of the primary biomimetic frame, the support column not in contact with the primary biomimetic frame; a plurality of connecting rods are provided between the support column and the primary biomimetic frame, one end of the connecting rod is fixedly connected to the support column, and the other end of the connecting rod is movably engaged on the primary biomimetic frame, and the connecting rod can move along the axis of the primary biomimetic frame; the outer edge of the primary biomimetic frame is provided with connectors and connecting grooves for splicing; the primary biomimetic frame and connecting rods are 3D printed; the biomimetic lotus leaf device also includes a water quality analyzer for monitoring water quality; a settling device for settling the connecting rods is provided below the connecting rods.

[0006] Furthermore, each of the connecting rods is equidistantly arranged along the axis of the primary bionic frame, and a guide rod is provided between adjacent connecting rods. The guide rod is V-shaped, and the top end of the guide rod is fixed to the corresponding two connecting rods. The tail end of the guide rod is movably locked onto the primary bionic frame, and the guide rod can move along the axis of the primary bionic frame.

[0007] The guide rod can enhance the connection strength between the connecting rod and the first-level bionic frame. At the same time, the guide rod can also increase buoyancy, allowing the entire device to float on the water surface. The guide rod also increases the ways to treat water quality.

[0008] Furthermore, the guide rod includes an outer frame and an inner core. The outer frame is made by 3D printing, and the inner core is a pollutant adsorption filler. The outer frame is fitted onto the inner core, and the outer frame abuts against the inner core.

[0009] The outer frame increases the strength of the inner core. Since the outer frame is made by 3D printing, its surface will have a porous structure, which allows the pollutant adsorption filler to come into contact with the water quality. The pollutant adsorption filler increases the means of water treatment, and its light weight helps the entire device float on the water surface.

[0010] Furthermore, a biomimetic leaf vein mesh is provided below the guide rod and the connecting rod. The biomimetic leaf vein mesh is in the shape of a regular hexagon. The outer edge of the biomimetic leaf vein mesh coincides with the inner edge of the first-level biomimetic frame. The biomimetic leaf vein mesh is fixed on the guide rod and the connecting rod. The biomimetic leaf vein mesh is made by 3D printing.

[0011] Bionic leaf vein nets can intercept large pollutants such as garbage and provide a stable installation location for subsequent sedimentation devices.

[0012] Furthermore, the settling device is located below the biomimetic leaf vein net. The settling device includes a settling box, which is fixed to the lower surface wall of the biomimetic leaf vein net. A drain pump and an inlet pump are fixed to the inner wall of the settling box. The inlet pipe of the inlet pump is located outside the settling box, and the drain pipe of the inlet pump is located inside the settling box. The inlet pipe of the drain pump is located inside the settling box, and the drain pipe of the drain pump is located outside the settling box. The inlet pump and the drain pump are wirelessly connected to a mobile app.

[0013] It can remotely control the operation of the inlet and outlet water pumps, thus enabling remote control of the settling device.

[0014] Furthermore, the settling tank is equipped with a level gauge for monitoring the water level, which is wirelessly connected to a mobile app.

[0015] It allows operators to remotely monitor the liquid level in the settling tank, thereby enabling timely control of the drainage and inlet pumps.

[0016] Beneficial effects:

[0017] This device can extend the water treatment time to about 45 days.

[0018] Compared to traditional adsorption devices, this device can change the depth of immersion in water through the sedimentation component, thereby altering the overall treatment efficiency and controlling the adsorption time.

[0019] Compared to non-3D printed adsorption devices, this 3D printed device has higher processing efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the device in Embodiment 1;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a partial structural diagram of the device;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a structural diagram of the outer frame and the inner core;

[0023] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure after multiple devices are assembled in Example 1;

[0024] Figure 5 This is a structural schematic diagram of the settling tank;

[0025] Figure 6 Line graphs showing the water treatment results of this device under two conditions;

[0026] Figure 7 This is a line graph showing the water treatment results of this device and existing devices;

[0027] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of Example 2.

[0028] 1. Primary bionic frame; 2. Support column; 3. Connecting rod; 4. Guide rod; 5. Bionic leaf vein net; 6. Water quality tester; 7. Float; 8. Connector; 9. Connecting groove; 12. Settling tank; 13. Inlet water pump; 14. Drain water pump; 15. Level gauge; 16. Outer frame; 17. Inner core. Detailed Implementation

[0029] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention. Example 1:

[0030] See Figure 1 A multi-level 3D-printed biomimetic lotus leaf device for adsorbing pollutants in water includes a primary hexagonal biomimetic frame 1. A support column 2 is located at the center of the primary biomimetic frame 1. The support column 2 does not contact the primary biomimetic frame 1, and the axis of the primary biomimetic frame 1 coincides with the axis of the support column 2.

[0031] See Figure 1A plurality of connecting rods 3 are provided between the primary bionic frame 1 and the support column 2, and each connecting rod 3 is equidistantly arranged along the axis of the support column 2. One end of the connecting rod 3 is fixed to the side wall of the support column 2, and the other end of the connecting rod 3 is movably engaged with the primary bionic frame 1, allowing the connecting rod 3 to move relative to the primary bionic frame 1 along the axis of the support column 2. In this embodiment, there are six connecting rods 3 in total. The lower surface of the connecting rod 3 is at the same level as the lower surface of the support column 2, and the upper surface of the connecting rod 3 is lower than the upper surface of the support column 2.

[0032] See Figure 1 and Figure 2 There are six guide rods 4 between adjacent connecting rods 3. Viewed from above, the guide rods 4 are V-shaped. The upper surface of the guide rod 4 is on the same horizontal plane as the upper surface of the connecting rod 3, and the lower surface of the guide rod 4 is also on the same horizontal plane as the lower surface of the connecting rod 3. The top ends of the V-shaped guide rods 4 are fixed to the two corresponding connecting rods 3, and the tail ends of the V-shaped guide rods 4 are movably engaged with the primary bionic frame 1. The guide rods 4 can move relative to the primary bionic frame 1 along the axis of the support column 2.

[0033] See Figure 1 The guide rod 4 can move along the axis of the support column 2, so that the guide rod 4 and the connecting rod 3 are submerged to different depths in the liquid.

[0034] Below the guide rod 4 and connecting rod 3, there is a regular hexagonal biomimetic leaf vein net 5. Viewed from above, the outer edge of the biomimetic leaf vein net 5 completely coincides with the inner edge of the first-level biomimetic frame 1. The biomimetic leaf vein net 5 is fixed to the lower surface wall of the guide rod 4 and connecting rod 3.

[0035] Among them, the first-level bionic frame 1, the connecting rod 3, and the bionic leaf vein network 5 are all made of straw / PLA composite material and manufactured by 3D printing.

[0036] Specifically, crop straw powder, PLA powder, modifier and plasticizer are thoroughly mixed in a mass ratio of 2:7.45:5:0.5. The resulting mixture is melt-extruded through a twin-screw extruder and then pulverized into granules. The granules are then fed into a single-screw extruder and melted at a set temperature of 170-185℃. Straw / PLA composite consumables are obtained at a traction speed of 15Hz.

[0037] See Figure 3Additionally, the guide rod 4 includes an outer frame 16 and an inner core 17. The outer frame 16 is fitted onto the inner core 17, and the outer frame 16 and the inner core 17 abut against each other. The outer frame 16 is made of straw / PLA composite material through 3D printing. The inner core 17 is a pollutant adsorption filler. The pollutant adsorption filler is loaded during the 3D printing process of the outer frame. The pollutant adsorption filler is one or more of the following: activated carbon, fly ash, hollow brick chips, coal slag, steel slag, zeolite, volcanic rock, clay, organometallic framework materials, organic adsorbents, etc.

[0038] Taking a single primary bionic frame 1 as an example, its outer edge is provided with 6 connectors 8 and 6 connecting slots 9, located on each side of the primary bionic frame 1. Looking at a single side, each side has either 2 connectors 8 or 2 connecting slots 9. Looking at two adjacent sides, the connectors 8 and connecting slots 9 are spaced apart. Looking at two adjacent primary bionic frames 1, the connectors 8 and connecting slots 9 form a mortise and tenon structure, with the connectors 8 movably engaged in the corresponding connecting slots 9. The two adjacent primary bionic frames 1 can move relative to each other along the axis of the support column 2.

[0039] The entire structure consisting of the primary bionic frame 1, support column 2, connecting rod 3, and guide rod 4 can float on the water surface, and each of the primary bionic frame 1, support column 2, connecting rod 3, and guide rod 4 can also float on the water surface individually.

[0040] See Figure 1 This device also includes a TE-600plus water quality analyzer 6. The bottom of the water quality analyzer 6 is equipped with a float plate 7 for floating on the water surface. The monitoring probe of the water quality analyzer 6 is located below the aforementioned primary biomimetic frame 1, support column 2, connecting rod 3, and guide rod 4, and is used to monitor the water quality below this assembly. See [link to documentation]. Figure 4 When the aforementioned components are interconnected via mortise and tenon joints, the water quality analyzer 6 will monitor the water quality beneath each individual component. The water quality analyzer 6 will then wirelessly transmit the monitored water quality information to a mobile app.

[0041] Below the biomimetic leaf vein net 5 is a settling device for settling the support column 2, connecting rod 3 and guide rod 4.

[0042] See Figure 5The settling device includes a settling tank 12, which is fixed to the lower surface of the biomimetic leaf vein net 5. A drainage pump 14 and an inlet pump 13 are fixed to the inner wall of the settling tank 12. The inlet pipe of the inlet pump 13 is located outside the settling tank 12, and its outlet pipe is located inside the settling tank. The inlet pipe of the drainage pump 14 is located inside the settling tank 12, and its outlet pipe is located outside the settling tank. The lower end of the outlet pipe of the drainage pump 14 is located at the lower inner end of the settling tank 12. The settling tank 12 is initially under negative pressure to prevent the inlet pump 13 from failing to pump water into the settling tank. The inlet pump 13 and the drainage pump 14 operate independently; when the inlet pump 13 is on, the drainage pump 14 is off, and vice versa.

[0043] The drainage pump 14 and the inlet pump 13 include, but are not limited to, pumps using the C9000s, which are wirelessly connected to a mobile app. The settling tank 12 is equipped with a level gauge 15, including, but not limited to, a level sensor using the ZK108dx, which is wirelessly connected to a mobile app. This level gauge is used to determine whether the water level in the settling tank 12 is at the maximum level. In this embodiment, the settling tank 12 has two states: first, no water; second, full of water. When full of water, the level sensor 15 transmits the set water level threshold to the mobile app, which is approximately 10cm deep.

[0044] The process of using this device is as follows:

[0045] When this device is placed in sewage, the sedimentation tank 12 is submerged below the liquid surface at its lower end. Since there is no water in the sedimentation tank 12 initially, the buoyancy of the entire assembly consisting of the first-stage bionic frame 1, support column 2, connecting rod 3, and guide rod 4 is large, so the entire assembly consisting of the first-stage bionic frame 1, support column 2, connecting rod 3, and guide rod 4 floats on the liquid surface.

[0046] After the water quality monitor 6 transmits the monitored water quality information to a mobile app, the operator can control the inlet pump 13 to add water, maximizing the water level in the settling tank 12 (10cm). This causes the support column 2, connecting rod 3, and guide rod 4 to sink downwards, moving them relative to the primary bionic frame 1, which also slightly sinks. This increases the submerged portion of the support column 2, connecting rod 3, and guide rod 4, thereby enhancing the water treatment capacity. Conversely, the drain pump can drain the water, causing the support column 2, connecting rod 3, and guide rod 4 to float upwards.

[0047] Reference Figure 6Adsorption tests were conducted in water with an initial copper ion concentration of 1 mg / L through a control experiment. The copper ion concentration in the water was measured on days 15, 30, 45, 60, and 75 after the adsorption began. The control experiment included: test subject 1 – the biomimetic lotus leaf device with no water in settling tank 12; and test subject 2 – the biomimetic lotus leaf device with the liquid level maximized in the settling tank.

[0048] from Figure 6 It is evident that when the settling tank 12 is filled with water, the entire device's ability to treat copper ions is significantly enhanced, reaching its maximum effect in approximately 45 days. The device without water in the settling tank 12 has a significantly lower treatment efficiency than the device with water in the settling tank 12. Therefore, water treatment efficiency can be controlled through a settling device.

[0049] Reference Figure 7 Adsorption tests were conducted in water with an initial copper ion concentration of 1 mg / L through a control experiment. The copper ion concentration in the water was measured on days 15, 30, 45, 60, and 75 after the start of adsorption. The control experiment included: Test subject 1: the biomimetic lotus leaf device with maximized liquid level in the settling tank; Test subject 2: another treatment device with the exact same shape as the biomimetic lotus leaf device, made from existing adsorption material, namely straw pellet composite board.

[0050] from Figure 7 It can be seen that the water treatment efficiency of this biomimetic lotus leaf device is significantly greater than that of existing treatment devices made from straw pellet composite boards.

[0051] In summary, from Figure 6 and Figure 7 It can be seen that the adsorption capacity of this device is about 45 days, so in terms of service life, this device is longer than the 30-day service life of the adsorbent in the existing patent CN103706336A. This device uses 3D printing to set up various components, which improves water treatment efficiency and ensures adsorption effect.

[0052] Example 2:

[0053] The difference from Embodiment 1 is that in this embodiment, there are a total of 12 connecting rods 3 and 12 guide rods 4.

[0054] Based on the above-described preferred embodiments of the present invention, and through the foregoing description, those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications without departing from the inventive concept. The technical scope of this invention is not limited to the contents of the specification, but must be determined according to the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A multi-tiered 3D printed biomimetic lotus leaf device for adsorption of pollutants from water bodies, characterized in that, The first level biomimetic frame is provided with a support column in the middle position, and the support column is not in contact with the first level biomimetic frame; a plurality of connecting rods are arranged between the support column and the first level biomimetic frame, one end of the connecting rod is fixedly connected with the support column, and the other end of the connecting rod is movably clamped on the first level biomimetic frame; the connecting rod can move along the axis of the first level biomimetic frame; the outer edge of the first level biomimetic frame is provided with a connecting head and a connecting groove for splicing; the first level biomimetic frame and the connecting rod are made of 3D printing; the water quality detector for monitoring water quality is further arranged on the biomimetic lotus leaf device; the connecting rod is provided with a settling device for connecting rod settlement; the connecting rods are equidistantly arranged along the axis of the first level biomimetic frame, a guide rod is arranged between adjacent connecting rods, the guide rod is V-shaped, the top end of the guide rod is fixed on the corresponding two connecting rods, the tail end of the guide rod is movably clamped on the first level biomimetic frame, and the guide rod can move along the axis of the first level biomimetic frame; the guide rod comprises an outer frame and an inner core, the outer frame is made of 3D printing, the inner core is a pollutant adsorption filler, the outer frame is sleeved on the inner core, and the outer frame abuts against the inner core; the guide rod and the connecting rod are provided with a biomimetic leaf vein net below, the biomimetic leaf vein net is a regular hexagon, the outer edge of the biomimetic leaf vein net coincides with the inner edge of the first level biomimetic frame, the biomimetic leaf vein net is fixed on the guide rod and the connecting rod, and the biomimetic leaf vein net is made of 3D printing; the settling device is arranged below the biomimetic leaf vein net, the settling device comprises a settling tank, the settling tank is fixed on the lower wall of the biomimetic leaf vein net, and a water inlet pump and a water outlet pump are fixed on the inner wall of the settling tank; the water inlet pipe of the water inlet pump is located outside the settling tank, and the water outlet pipe of the water inlet pump is located in the settling tank; the water inlet pipe of the water outlet pump is located in the settling tank, and the water outlet pipe of the water outlet pump is located outside the settling tank; the water inlet pump and the water outlet pump are wirelessly connected with a mobile phone app, after the water quality detector transmits the monitored water quality to the mobile phone app, an operator controls the water inlet pump to inlet water through the mobile phone app, the water level in the settling tank is maximized, the support column, the connecting rod and the guide rod sink downward, the support column, the connecting rod and the guide rod move downward relative to the first level biomimetic frame, and the part of the support column, the connecting rod and the guide rod submerged below the liquid surface increases, thereby increasing the water quality treatment capacity.

2. A multi-tiered 3D printed biomimetic lotus leaf device for adsorption of pollutants from water bodies as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The settling tank is provided with a liquid level meter for monitoring the water level, and the liquid level meter is wirelessly connected with the mobile phone app.

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