Packed bed columns used in flow chemistry commonly exhibit bed inhomogeneity, low reproducibility, and do not provide optimal mixing and contact between the stationary phase and mobile phase leading to low column efficiency. Additive manufacturing (3D printing) can be used to create columns with intricate internal geometries to reduce the effects of channeling by providing paths that provide optimal mixing. In this study, multiple columns were designed and printed using a fused deposition modeling (FDM) printer with different internal volumes and internal geometries. The columns were packed with activated carbon or iron oxide nanoparticles as the solid phase and used in flow to remove contaminants such as methylene blue from water. The efficiency was compared to water treated in flow to water treated in a conventional batch set-up.

Design of 3D printed packed bed columns for removal of methylene blue from water in flow

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