Application of Carbon Fiber to Aquatic Environmental Protection

We aim to establish a technological system which utilizes the following tow phenomena and to create the new aquatic environment industry.(1) Rapid and mass fixation of activated sludge on carbon fiber.(2) Special effects of carbon on multiplication of microorganisms.At first, by use of carbon fiber with a water-soluble sizing agent, the various woven and knitted carbon fiber products were developed to a carrier of microbial cells and a artificial alga.Characteristics of a mass of microbial cells fixed on the fringe of carbon fiber as compared to those fixed on other kinds of fiber are as follows.(a) The rate and amount of microbial fixations on carbon fiber are higher.(b) Fixed microorganisms are hard to be detached from the carbon fiber and their activity is higher. These characteristics of the mass of fixed microbial cells are result of the multiplier effect of the physical properties of carbon fiber and the specificity of carbon acting on the organisms.From the results of many field examinations, these phenomena are found to be applicable in the following fields.A) Water purification of sewage in urban areas, industrial wastewater, and pond water.B) Forming of seaweed community in lake and sea.C) Breeding of fireflies and pisciculture system.