The combined effects of shear stress and mass transfer on the balance between biofilm and suspended cell dynamics (original) (raw)
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Biofilm formation under turbulent conditions: external mass transfer versus shear stress
This work investigates the effect of flow rate variation on the development of Escherichia coli biofilms formed in a flow cell system under turbulent conditions. Two flow rates were tested corresponding to Reynolds numbers of 4350 and 6720. The higher flow rate favored planktonic growth whereas the lower flow rate enhanced biofilm formation. Despite this, similar glucose consumption values were obtained in the whole system for both flow rates. Estimation of the external mass transfer coefficients by empirical correlations indicated that as the flow rate increased 1.5 fold, the external mass transfer coefficient increased 1.4 fold. Estimation of the shear stress in the flow cell was done by computational fluid dynamics and simulations indicated that the average shear stress increased 2.0 fold at the higher flow rate.
Influence of flow rate variation on the development of Escherichia coli biofilms
Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering, 2013
This work investigates the effect of flow rate variation on mass transfer and on the development of Escherichia coli biofilms on a flow cell reactor under turbulent flow conditions. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was used to assess the applicability of this reactor for the simulation of industrial and biomedical biofilms and the numerical results were validated by streak photography. Two flow rates of 374 and 242 L h -1 (corresponding to Reynolds numbers of 6,720 and 4,350) were tested and wall shear stresses between 0.183 and 0.511 Pa were predicted in the flow cell reactor. External mass transfer coefficients of 1.38 9 10 -5 and 9.64 9 10 -6 m s -1 were obtained for the higher and lower flow rates, respectively. Biofilm formation was favored at the lowest flow rate because shear stress effects were more important than mass transfer limitations. This flow cell reactor generates wall shear stresses that are similar to those found in some industrial and biomedical settings, thus it is likely that the results obtained on this work can be used in the development of biofilm control strategies in both scenarios.
Biofouling, 2010
Biofilm formation is a major factor in the growth and spread of both desirable and undesirable bacteria as well as in fouling and corrosion. In order to simulate biofilm formation in industrial settings a flow cell system coupled to a recirculating tank was used to study the effect of a high (550 mg glucose l−1) and a low (150 mg glucose l−1) nutrient concentration on the relative growth of planktonic and attached biofilm cells of Escherichia coli JM109(DE3). Biofilms were obtained under turbulent flow (a Reynolds number of 6000) and the hydrodynamic conditions of the flow cell were simulated by using computational fluid dynamics. Under these conditions, the flow cell was subjected to wall shear stresses of 0.6 Pa and an average flow velocity of 0.4 m s−1 was reached. The system was validated by studying flow development on the flow cell and the applicability of chemostat model assumptions. Full development of the flow was assessed by analysis of velocity profiles and by monitoring the maximum and average wall shear stresses. The validity of the chemostat model assumptions was performed through residence time analysis and identification of biofilm forming areas. These latter results were obtained through wall shear stress analysis of the system and also by assessment of the free energy of interaction between E. coli and the surfaces. The results show that when the system was fed with a high nutrient concentration, planktonic cell growth was favored. Additionally, the results confirm that biofilms adapt their architecture in order to cope with the hydrodynamic conditions and nutrient availability. These results suggest that until a certain thickness was reached nutrient availability dictated biofilm architecture but when that critical thickness was exceeded mechanical resistance to shear stress (ie biofilm cohesion) became more important.
Food and Bioproducts Processing, 2015
The hydrodynamic conditions as well as design and surface properties within fresh-cut food processing equipment create a complex environment for biofilms. A new experimental approach was thus proposed to identify those physical parameters impacting biofilm development in such conditions. A setup comprising original mock-ups mimicking generic features of washing tanks (e.g. welds, folds, flat surfaces, air/liquid/wall interface) was designed. The flow pattern therein was characterized using two computational fluid dynamic calculation approaches. Full trials were run for 48 h at 10 • C with a Pseudomonas fluorescens strain to identify the preferential biofilm formation areas. As in current industrial systems, the pilot rig had recirculation areas and low wall shear stress rates (w < 0.1 Pa) in corners and angles. These were identified as critical areas with Surface Microbial Loads (SML) over 5 Log 10 /cm 2. However, w alone failed to explain why SML in areas under unidirectional flow was higher than in the mock-ups. Lastly, air/liquid/wall interface conditions were more critical than immersed surfaces. This study validated the possibility of using CFD methods to understand the way in which flow pattern influences biofilm formation. The methodology proposed would be helpful in quantifying equipment components criticality based on biofilm growth parameters.
Dynamics of drinking water biofilm in flow/non-flow conditions
Water Research, 2007
Drinking water biofilm formation on polyvinyl chloride (PVC), cross-linked polyethylene (PEX), high density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene (PP) was followed in three different reactors operating under stagnant or continuous flow regimes. After one week, a quasi-steady state was achieved where biofilm total cell numbers per unit surface area were not affected by fluctuations in the concentration of suspended cells. Metabolically active cells in biofilms were around 17-35% of the total cells and 6-18% were able to form colony units in R 2 A medium. Microbiological analysis showed that the adhesion material and reactor design did not affect significantly the biofilm growth. However, operating under continuous flow (0.8-1.9 Pa) or stagnant water had a significant effect on biofilm formation: in stagnant waters, biofilm grew to a less extent. By applying mass balances and an asymptotic biofilm formation model to data from biofilms grown on PVC and HDPE surfaces under turbulent flow, specific growth rates of bacteria in the biofilm were found to be similar for both materials (around 0.15 day À1) and much lower than the specific growth rates of suspended bacteria (around 1.8 day À1).
Influence of flow on the structure of bacterial biofilms
Bacteria attached to surfaces in biofilms are responsible for the contamination of industrial processes and many types of microbial infections and disease. Once established, biofilms are notoriously difficult to eradicate. A more complete understanding of how biofilms form and behave is crucial if we are to predict, and ultimately control, biofilm processes. A major breakthrough in biofilm research came in the early 1990's when confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM) showed that biofilms formed complex structures which could facilitate nutrient exchange. We have recently found that biofilms growing in turbulent flow can also be temporally complex. Structures such as cell clusters and ripples can migrate downstream along solid surfaces. Further, biofilm viscoelasticity allows the biofilm to structurally deform when exposed to varying shear stresses.
Intrinsic kinetics of biofilms formed under turbulent flow and low substrate concentrations
Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering, 1999
Reactor operating conditions strongly affect the behaviour of biofilm systems, namely their stability and the substrate removal. In this paper, the penetration of substrate and the activity of biofilms formed by Pseudomonas fluorescens under turbulent flow and low substrate concentrations, are studied. A first order diffusion-reaction model was applied to results of biofilm accumulation in steady and non-steady-state. The substrate consumption rate of the biofilm was calculated based on the on-line determination of the biofilm accumulated on the surface. This approach is important when the residence time or the substrate concentration on the reactor is very low. Also, the mass transfer of substrate inside the biofilm was measured for every case under study and introduced in the model. The fraction of biofilm penetrated by the substrate depends on the velocity of the fluid that contacts the biological matrix: contrary to biofilms formed at higher velocities, lower velocities give raise to non completely penetrated biofilms. This fact seems to be associated to the biofilm internal structure in terms of biomass density and compactness of the matrix. They remove more substrate per reactor volume, but are less resistant from an hydrodynamic point of view. In conclusion, biofilms formed at higher velocities in turbulent flow allow a more stable reactor operation.
Bioprocess Engineering, 1999
The paper focuses on biofilms subject to turbulent flow and high liquid velocity (of the order of 1 m s−1) which can be found in heat exchangers, water distribution systems and in some wastewater reactors. An overall model describing biofilm development is presented, which includes the effects of biomass detachment due to the hydrodynamic forces. A methodology for estimating substrate consumption from data obtained through continuous monitoring of biofilm growth is presented. Results show that the physical stability of the biofilm increases with the liquid velocity, while the rate of substrate consumption decreases.
Influence of non-uniform distribution of shear stress on aerobic biofilms
Chemical Engineering Science, 2007
This work deals with the detachment of biofilm subjected to a shear stress. Biofilms are developed on plates, under very low shear stress for one month and then subjected to an erosion test for 2 h in a Couette-Taylor reactor (CTR). During the erosion test, the plate was fixed on the external cylinder of the CTR. The presence of the plate modifies the velocity field in the CTR. A first zone close to the facing step region is characterized by the detachment of the stream lines. A second zone, downstream, is characterized by a pure shear flow: the distribution of the shear stress is uniform; the residual biofilm mass was measured and the detachment can be classically related to the magnitude of shear stress. In the first zone, the recirculating flow induces a strong non-uniform distribution of shear stress. The residual biofilm mass was also measured and found to be much lower than in the uniform shear stress zone, whereas the magnitude of shear stress is of the same order or even smaller.