Plug-Flow Microbial Membrane Reactor for Water Quality Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current water quality detection methods based on microorganisms are complex, unstable, and have low anti-interference capabilities, particularly in handling complex environmental samples, due to issues with microbial proliferation and limited biodegradation capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A plug-flow microbial membrane reactor is constructed using environmental microorganisms that are acclimated and cultured within the reactor, allowing for the formation of a microbial membrane that can efficiently degrade pollutants, with acclimating agents like biodegradable organic matter and inorganic salts, enabling targeted pollutant detection through biodegradation reactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If microbial sensor method with immobilized microbial membrane is used, then BOD detection is enabled, but the operation becomes complicated and microbial activity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of BOD detection from complex microbial sensor systems by using a simplified microbial membrane reactor that directly utilizes environmental microorganisms without requiring separation, purification, or immobilization steps. The system extracts only the core biodegradation capability while eliminating cumbersome operational procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs environmental microorganisms that naturally exist in water samples to perform biodegradation without requiring external cultivation or maintenance. The microorganisms self-acclimate to the detection environment and maintain activity through their natural metabolic processes, eliminating the need for complex support systems.
2Measurement precision
If activated sludge aeration method is used, then BOD quantification is achieved, but microbial proliferation causes sludge bulking and reduces stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the microbial population into a fixed microbial membrane layer that remains stationary on the reactor wall, preventing the uncontrolled proliferation and bulking observed in suspended activated sludge systems. This spatial segmentation maintains stable biodegradation capacity over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The microbial membrane is pre-formed and acclimated to specific pollutants before actual detection, establishing a stable and predictable biodegradation capacity. This preliminary acclimation ensures consistent performance and eliminates the variability caused by transient microbial growth during testing.
3Measurement precision
If microbial fuel cell method is used, then water quality parameters are determined, but electron conveying efficiency decreases as biodegradation efficiency improves
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the biodegradation function from the electrochemical conversion step by using a microbial membrane reactor coupled with conventional detection methods. This separation allows optimization of biodegradation efficiency independently from electron transfer limitations, maintaining reliable signal generation throughout the detection process.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method simplifies the detection process, enhances stability and adaptability, and achieves high biodegradation efficiency with sensitive pollutant monitoring, avoiding the need for tedious microbial separation and purification steps, and allows for dynamic adjustment of microbial populations for various pollutants.
Implementation Method 1
A water quality detection technology developed by using the microorganisms is mainly based on a microbial sensor method constructed by an immobilized microbial membrane and a microbial fuel cell method
Implementation Method 2
a microbial membrane is formed by enriching electrochemically active bacteria on an anode surface of the fuel cell
Implementation Method 3
the hollow tubular reactor is used for conveying a water sample
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure discloses a detection system of a biodegradation reactor and a method thereof. The detection system of the biodegradation reactor comprises a plug-flow microbial membrane reactor, a power system, a detection system and a flow system for storing and conveying a fluid. The detection analysis of a target pollutant is realized by detecting the consumption of a reactant or the generation of a product in a biodegradation reaction process, which can be applied to the detection of a water environmental pollutant. According to the present disclosure, various microorganisms with specific biodegradation functions in a water body are used to construct the biodegradation reactor, and a specific biodegradation function of the microbial membrane reactor is realized by the acclimation of a specific pollutant, so that tedious processes such as microbial separation and purification and culture in conventional methods are avoided, and the method is simple to operate.