Implementation of packed-bed reactor using mycological silver nanoparticles immobilized in alginate for water disinfection contaminated with pathogenic bacteria

• Grant number: 22/05716-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: November 01, 2022
• End date: September 30, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Sanitary Engineering - Basic Sanitation
• Principal Investigator: Cristiane Angélica Ottoni
• Grantee: Carolina Assis da Silva
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB-CLP). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus Experimental do Litoral Paulista. São Vicente , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 23/08202-3 - Characterization and ecotoxicological evaluation of fungal silver nanoparticles immobilized in alginate gel under marine and freshwater organisms of different trophic levels, BE.EP.MS

Abstract

The development of low-cost systems in the disinfection of water for human consumption becomes essential. Currently, nanotechnology is referred to as a promising approach in this segment. However, the method of obtaining nanomaterials used in water treatment is considered inappropriate according to the 2030 Agenda proposed by the United Nations, which is based on sustainable development. In this context, nanobiotechnology has received special attention, since the NM synthesis process is considered environmentally friendly. Given this context, the present work intends to immobilize biological AgNPs in a non-toxic encapsulating agent and apply them as a filling in a packed-bed reactor (PBR), aiming at the treatment of drinking water through a continuous, innovative and promising process. When using a PBR reactor, there is a greater effective contact between the fluid and the AgNPs, in addition to the possibility of increasing the volume of influent to be treated by using Flow-continuous process. For the implementation of the system, the following parameters of the reactor will be evaluated: volumetric flow rate of inflow (1.0 mL/min, 4.0 mL/min; 7 mL/min and 10 mL/min), fixed bed height (50%, 75% and 100% of the total height), reaction temperature (25°C, 30°C, 37°C and 40°C) and influent concentration (contaminated water at concentrations of 1.25x10² CFU/mL; 2, 50x10² CFU/mL; 5.00x10² CFU/mL and 7.50x10² CFU/mL). Under the best conditions obtained, tests will be carried out with recycle current.