New Polymer Gel Boosts Wastewater Treatment Efficiency

When a single cubic meter of biofiller material can provide over 380,000 square meters of microbial attachment surface area, the boundaries of water treatment efficiency are fundamentally transformed. Traditional wastewater systems have long been constrained by poor carrier hydrophilicity, slow biofilm formation, and severe material wear—factors that limit both treatment capacity and equipment longevity. The emergence of PCG (Polymer Composite Gel) biofiller technology represents a breakthrough solution to these persistent challenges.

The PCG biofiller utilizes advanced polyurethane biogel technology with a unique hydrophilic gel matrix as its foundation. Upon contact with water, the material undergoes volumetric expansion (approximately 1:2.2 ratio), forming a porous yet resilient three-dimensional network structure. This architecture not only provides optimal microbial attachment space but also prevents clogging issues caused by oil adsorption through its exceptional hydrophilic properties, ensuring long-term biofilm viability and system stability.

• Exceptional surface area: Laboratory tests confirm the PCG carrier achieves an effective specific surface area of 380,000 m²/m³, dramatically increasing microbial concentration within reaction tanks and significantly enhancing organic load tolerance.
• Enhanced nitrogen and carbon removal: The carrier facilitates simultaneous nitrification and denitrification (SND) processes, enabling efficient nitrogen elimination while demonstrating remarkable adsorption and degradation capabilities for refractory organic pollutants including aromatic compounds.
• Mechanical durability: Addressing the chronic issue of conventional MBBR carrier abrasion in high-velocity flows—which often leads to equipment corrosion—PCG filler features optimized physical structure with exceptional mechanical strength, boasting a service life exceeding 15 years.
• Fluidization characteristics: With balanced density parameters, the material achieves rapid water settling and effortless fluidization, reducing aeration energy consumption and meeting energy-saving environmental objectives.

The development of PCG technology stems from high-caliber scientific research teams working in partnership with Xi'an Jiaotong University through deep industry-academia collaboration. The innovation has earned multiple prestigious awards in entrepreneurial competitions, including the Silver Award in Shaanxi Division of the 8th China Innovation & Entrepreneurship Competition and the Silver Award in the "Soaring Cup" entrepreneurship track. Throughout its development, the technology has adhered to principles of environmental sustainability, low-carbon operation, and energy efficiency, aiming to resolve practical challenges in both industrial and municipal water treatment through materials science innovation.

Beyond representing a materials science advancement, PCG biofillers constitute a comprehensive upgrade to conventional biofilm wastewater treatment processes. By enhancing microbial activity and system stability, this technology provides reliable support for achieving more efficient, longer-lasting water purification solutions.