Numerical Investigation of the Effect of Fluid Flow on Biofilm Formation in a Channel with Varying Cross-Section

In order to shed light on the effect of fluid flow on biofilm formation observed in micro channel devices, a fluid flow in a millimeter-size channel with varying cross-section was numerically simulated. Simulation results show that the rate of film formation in the narrower section is higher, compared with that in the larger section, due to enhanced mass transport by the faster flow in this section. It appears that faster flow gives rise to the transport of more nutrients to the seed leading to more growth. It was also found that the inlet nutrient concentration strongly affects the grown biofilm structure in terms of size and density.