Wave-Shaped Plexiglass Support for Simultaneous Photocatalytic and Microbial Degradation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for removing organic pollutants from water bodies face challenges such as poor light transmittance of decontamination supports, difficulty in co-existence of microorganisms and nano-photocatalysts, low loading intensity, complex and costly preparation processes, and limited recyclability, which restrict the simultaneous application of microbial and photocatalytic degradation.
Innovation Solution
A nano-photocatalyst-microorganism composite multilayered light-transmitting combination support is developed, comprising wave-shaped plexiglass plates with separate nano-photocatalyst and degrading bacteria loading layers, allowing for simultaneous photocatalytic and microbial degradation zones, and featuring a simple, low-cost preparation process and recyclability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If decontamination supports (porous minerals, biochar materials) are used to load nano-photocatalysts or microorganisms, then adhesion and coupling intensity are improved, but light transmittance deteriorates, preventing photocatalytic reaction in inner voids
Solution Approach 1:
The support is divided into multiple layers with different functions: outer layers provide adhesion and protection, while inner layers maintain light transmittance. This segmentation allows each layer to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the support structure have different properties: the outer surface is designed for high adhesion to load nano-photocatalysts and microorganisms, while the inner structure is designed for high light transmittance to enable photocatalytic reactions throughout the material.
2Quantity of substance
If nano-photocatalysts and microorganisms are loaded on the same support, then loading intensity is improved, but co-existence deteriorates due to mutual inhibition
Solution Approach 1:
The support is segmented into separate zones: one zone for nano-photocatalyst loading and another zone for microorganism loading. This spatial segmentation allows both components to be loaded at high concentrations while avoiding mutual inhibition, as each component has its own dedicated space.
Solution Approach 2:
Different zones of the support are optimized for different functions: the nano-photocatalyst zone is optimized for photocatalytic activity, while the microorganism zone is optimized for biological degradation. Each zone has the appropriate local conditions (light exposure, nutrient availability, pH) to support its specific function.
3Manufacturing precision
If complex preparation processes (high-temperature calcination) are used, then manufacturing precision is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates due to energy consumption and time consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The preparation process parameters are changed from high-temperature calcination to low-temperature or ambient temperature processing. This parameter change maintains the necessary manufacturing precision for loading nano-photocatalysts and microorganisms while dramatically reducing energy consumption and processing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure is designed to be simple and inexpensive, using materials that can be easily manufactured and disposed of or replaced after a single use, eliminating the need for complex, energy-intensive preparation processes.
4Quantity of substance
If decontamination supports are designed for high adhesion, then loading intensity is improved, but recyclability deteriorates due to difficulty in separation and reuse
Solution Approach 1:
The support is segmented into removable components that can be easily separated from each other. This segmentation allows the support structure to be disassembled, cleaned, and reused multiple times, improving recyclability while maintaining high loading capacity through the segmented design.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure is designed with dynamic characteristics, allowing it to be easily assembled and disassembled. This dynamic design enables the support to be recycled and reused multiple times, as the components can be separated, cleaned, and reconfigured for continued use.
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
The support enhances the efficiency of organic pollutant removal by enabling simultaneous photocatalytic and microbial degradation, is reusable, and reduces operational costs while maintaining high effectiveness in water pollution remediation.
Implementation Method 1
Nano-photocatalysts, such as titanium dioxide, can remove organic pollutants in water body by utilizing the strong redox performance of photogenerated electron-hole pairs under visible or ultraviolet light
Implementation Method 2
Microbial degradation has advantages of non-toxicity, high efficiency, easy operation, economical and wide application, and domestic and overseas researchers have obtained by domestication and screening degrading strains with specific degradation effects on various organic pollutants from environment samples
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a nano-photocatalyst-microorganism composite multilayered light-transmitting combination support, comprising a plurality of wave-shaped plexiglass plates (1), a tandem rod holder (4), hollow elastic spacers (5), and fixing screws (6); each of the wave-shaped plexiglass plates (1) is provided with four fixing holes (7); the tandem rod holder (4) is provided with four tandem rods (8), and the four tandem rods (8) pass through the fixing holes (7); the tandem rods (8) between the two adjacent wave-shaped plexiglass plates (1) pass through the hollow elastic spacers (5); each of the tandem rods (8) is provided with a fixing screw (6) at the top end; each of the wave-shaped plexiglass plates (1) have different loading layers on the upper and lower surfaces, with a nano-photocatalyst-loading layer (2) on one surface and a degrading bacteria-loading layer (3) on the other surface. Also provided is a method of making the nano-photocatalyst-microorganism composite multilayered light-transmitting combination support.