Numerical simulation of the electric field gradient squared in a new electrode configuration for fouling suppression in submerged membrane bioreactors / Bouthaina Larbi

Fouling is one of the central problems in submerged membrane bioreactors (MBRs), and the use of additional forces for antifouling has gained increasing attention in the recent years. In this study, a novel fouling suppression system in MBRs based on the application of AC dielectrophoresis force is p...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Larbi, Bouthaina, Alhawari, Alaa, Du, Fei, Baune, Michael
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Universiti Teknologi Mara Cawangan Pulau Pinang 2017
Subjects:
Online Access:https://ir.uitm.edu.my/id/eprint/28738/
_version_ 1848807113145450496
author Larbi, Bouthaina
Alhawari, Alaa
Du, Fei
Baune, Michael
author_facet Larbi, Bouthaina
Alhawari, Alaa
Du, Fei
Baune, Michael
author_sort Larbi, Bouthaina
building UiTM Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description Fouling is one of the central problems in submerged membrane bioreactors (MBRs), and the use of additional forces for antifouling has gained increasing attention in the recent years. In this study, a novel fouling suppression system in MBRs based on the application of AC dielectrophoresis force is proposed. The feasibility of the new system is demonstrated based on numerical simulations. To this end, the impact of electrode configuration (i.e. electrode geometry, the distance between electrodes, insulation properties & insulation thickness) on the DEP force i.e. on the electric field gradient squared (EFG), are studied for an optimal design of the new system. It was found that the EFG is high on the membrane surface when the electrode diameter and the distance between electrodes are smaller. Obtained results also showed a drop of the electric field gradient squared at the mid between two electrodes with highest EFG value on the electrode. Finally, numerical simulations revealed that a thickness of 20 μm of TiO2 insulation is optimal to generate sufficient DEP force while avoiding joule heating problems.
first_indexed 2025-11-14T22:37:39Z
format Article
id uitm-28738
institution Universiti Teknologi MARA
institution_category Local University
language English
last_indexed 2025-11-14T22:37:39Z
publishDate 2017
publisher Universiti Teknologi Mara Cawangan Pulau Pinang
recordtype eprints
repository_type Digital Repository
spelling uitm-287382025-07-02T03:43:04Z https://ir.uitm.edu.my/id/eprint/28738/ Numerical simulation of the electric field gradient squared in a new electrode configuration for fouling suppression in submerged membrane bioreactors / Bouthaina Larbi esteem Larbi, Bouthaina Alhawari, Alaa Du, Fei Baune, Michael Production of electric energy or power Applications of electric power Fouling is one of the central problems in submerged membrane bioreactors (MBRs), and the use of additional forces for antifouling has gained increasing attention in the recent years. In this study, a novel fouling suppression system in MBRs based on the application of AC dielectrophoresis force is proposed. The feasibility of the new system is demonstrated based on numerical simulations. To this end, the impact of electrode configuration (i.e. electrode geometry, the distance between electrodes, insulation properties & insulation thickness) on the DEP force i.e. on the electric field gradient squared (EFG), are studied for an optimal design of the new system. It was found that the EFG is high on the membrane surface when the electrode diameter and the distance between electrodes are smaller. Obtained results also showed a drop of the electric field gradient squared at the mid between two electrodes with highest EFG value on the electrode. Finally, numerical simulations revealed that a thickness of 20 μm of TiO2 insulation is optimal to generate sufficient DEP force while avoiding joule heating problems. Universiti Teknologi Mara Cawangan Pulau Pinang 2017-06 Article PeerReviewed text en https://ir.uitm.edu.my/id/eprint/28738/1/AJ_BOUTHAINA%20LARBI%20EAJ%20P%2017.pdf Larbi, Bouthaina and Alhawari, Alaa and Du, Fei and Baune, Michael (2017) Numerical simulation of the electric field gradient squared in a new electrode configuration for fouling suppression in submerged membrane bioreactors / Bouthaina Larbi. (2017) ESTEEM Academic Journal <https://ir.uitm.edu.my/view/publication/ESTEEM_Academic_Journal.html>, 13 (June). pp. 18-29. ISSN 1675-7939 https://uppp.uitm.edu.my
spellingShingle Production of electric energy or power
Applications of electric power
Larbi, Bouthaina
Alhawari, Alaa
Du, Fei
Baune, Michael
Numerical simulation of the electric field gradient squared in a new electrode configuration for fouling suppression in submerged membrane bioreactors / Bouthaina Larbi
title Numerical simulation of the electric field gradient squared in a new electrode configuration for fouling suppression in submerged membrane bioreactors / Bouthaina Larbi
title_full Numerical simulation of the electric field gradient squared in a new electrode configuration for fouling suppression in submerged membrane bioreactors / Bouthaina Larbi
title_fullStr Numerical simulation of the electric field gradient squared in a new electrode configuration for fouling suppression in submerged membrane bioreactors / Bouthaina Larbi
title_full_unstemmed Numerical simulation of the electric field gradient squared in a new electrode configuration for fouling suppression in submerged membrane bioreactors / Bouthaina Larbi
title_short Numerical simulation of the electric field gradient squared in a new electrode configuration for fouling suppression in submerged membrane bioreactors / Bouthaina Larbi
title_sort numerical simulation of the electric field gradient squared in a new electrode configuration for fouling suppression in submerged membrane bioreactors / bouthaina larbi
topic Production of electric energy or power
Applications of electric power
url https://ir.uitm.edu.my/id/eprint/28738/
https://ir.uitm.edu.my/id/eprint/28738/