A separator with flow management

Solution Overview

Problem

Current washing machine filters fail to effectively remove microplastics, particularly microfibers, from wastewater due to clogging issues, leading to increased pressure consumption and potential damage to pumps and flooding, as they are not designed to handle the microscopic scale of microfibers and become inoperable quickly.

Innovation Solution

A separator system with a sieve structure and a filter pressure regeneration apparatus that uses a conduit and nozzle assembly to dislodge filtered material from the sieve structure with a cleaning jet, guided by sensors to maintain optimal pressure and flow rates, utilizing a cleaning fluid source to regenerate pressure and prevent clogging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If mesh filters with small aperture are used to stop microfibers, then filtration effectiveness is improved, but the filter clogs up quickly causing pressure to drop and flow rate to reduce

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiltration effectivenessVSAvoidflow rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter system is divided into two functional zones: a coarse pre-filter section that captures large debris and a fine mesh section that captures microfibers. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function without the fine mesh being overwhelmed by large particles, maintaining both filtration effectiveness and flow rate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pre-filter performs preliminary filtration by capturing large debris before the effluent reaches the fine mesh filter. This preliminary action prevents the fine mesh from clogging quickly, allowing it to maintain its microfiber capture capability for longer periods while sustaining proper flow rates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If mesh filters with small aperture are used to stop microfibers, then filtration effectiveness is improved, but pump damage and flooding risk increase due to pressure drop

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiltration effectivenessVSAvoidsystem reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The filter system is divided into two functional zones: a coarse pre-filter section that captures large debris and a fine mesh section that captures microfibers. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function without the fine mesh being overwhelmed by large particles, maintaining both filtration effectiveness and flow rate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pre-filter performs preliminary filtration by capturing large debris before the effluent reaches the fine mesh filter. This preliminary action prevents the fine mesh from clogging quickly, allowing it to maintain its microfiber capture capability for longer periods while sustaining proper flow rates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If washing machine filters are designed to stop microfibers, then environmental pollution is reduced, but the filters become inoperable quickly due to clogging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental pollutionVSAvoidfilter operational duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The filter system is divided into two functional zones: a coarse pre-filter section that captures large debris and a fine mesh section that captures microfibers. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function without the fine mesh being overwhelmed by large particles, maintaining both filtration effectiveness and flow rate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pre-filter performs preliminary filtration by capturing large debris before the effluent reaches the fine mesh filter. This preliminary action prevents the fine mesh from clogging quickly, allowing it to maintain its microfiber capture capability for longer periods while sustaining proper flow rates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system effectively regenerates pressure consumption, maintaining filter efficacy and preventing clogging, thereby ensuring continuous and efficient removal of microplastics from washing machine effluent, reducing the risk of pump damage and environmental pollution.

Implementation Method 1

a nozzle assembly having at least one cleaning jet directed towards the outlet side of the sieve structure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid jet: Jet

Implementation Method 2

a sieve structure forming a permeable barrier between the inlet and the outlet to filter the fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS20240238704A1A separator with flow management

Publication Date: 2024.07.18 INHERITING EARTH LTD

AI summary

A separator prevents microplastics from entering the environment by regenerating the pressure consumption of filters for removing microplastics in effluent from any source but in particular removing microfibers from washing machine wastewater. The separator includes a chamber with an inlet and an outlet, a sieve structure forming a permeable barrier between the inlet and the outlet to filter the effluent, the sieve structure thus having an inlet side for unfiltered effluent and an outlet side for filtered effluent, the separator further including at least one pump in fluid communication with the outlet of the chamber, and at least one sensor is provided, and wherein the pump is arranged to be activated in accordance with the output from the sensor.