Adsorbent Boom Elliptical Cross-Section Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional oil-adsorbent booms are stiff and semi-rigid due to compacted adsorbent material, reducing their flexibility and effectiveness in containing spills, and occupy excessive storage space due to their cylindrical shape, which limits contact surface area and adsorption efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A boom system using flexible, compressible adsorbent fabric sheets folded into a nested structure within an elongated cover, allowing for increased surface area contact and compressibility, enabling efficient spill containment and reduced storage requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If adsorbent material is compacted into a cylindrical sack, then the boom structure is stable and easy to manufacture, but the contact surface area with spill is reduced and flexibility is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a cylindrical cross-section to an elliptical cross-section. The elliptical shape provides a larger contact surface area with the ground or water surface compared to a cylindrical shape, while maintaining structural stability. The flattened profile allows more of the adsorbent material to be in direct contact with the spill, improving adsorption efficiency without sacrificing structural integrity.
2Stability of the object's composition
If adsorbent material is compacted densely, then the boom is structurally stable, but the adsorption capability is reduced due to loss of adsorbent properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different compaction levels to different regions of the adsorbent material. The material is packed more densely at the edges and less densely in the center, creating a gradient structure. This allows the boom to maintain structural stability at the edges while preserving adsorption capability in the center region, resolving the contradiction between structural stability and adsorption reliability.
3Ease of manufacture
If boom is made rigid for structural stability, then manufacturing is easier, but flexibility and adaptability to different spill shapes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a semi-rigid structure that can dynamically adapt to different spill configurations. The elliptical cross-section and controlled compaction allow the boom to maintain its shape for structural stability while still being flexible enough to conform to various spill shapes and sizes. This dynamic adaptability enables the boom to be effective across different deployment scenarios without requiring complex manufacturing processes.
4Ease of manufacture
If cylindrical shape is used for simplicity, then manufacturing is straightforward, but storage space efficiency is reduced due to inability to wind tightly
Solution Approach 1:
The elliptical cross-section enables the boom to be wound more efficiently for storage compared to a cylindrical shape. The flattened profile allows tighter coiling and reduces the diameter of the stored boom, improving storage space efficiency while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through the same continuous packing process used for cylindrical booms.
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 boom system achieves enhanced adsorption capabilities with increased surface area contact and flexibility, allowing for faster spill containment and reduced storage space, with the ability to compress and rebound for efficient deployment and reclamation.
Implementation Method 1
the booms may effectively adsorb oil or other chemical spills
Implementation Method 2
contain materials which are both oleophilic (i.e., oil-absorbent or oil-adsorbent) and hydrophobic (i.e., water-resistant)
Implementation Method 3
contain materials which are both oleophilic (i.e., oil-absorbent or oil-adsorbent) and hydrophobic (i.e., water-resistant)
Data Source
AI summary
A system, method for forming, and a method of manufacturing a boom for the containment of contaminants is disclosed. The boom includes a cover and an adsorbent or absorbent material disposed within the cover. The adsorbent or absorbent material may be formed of one or more sheets of flexible fabric folded upon itself to form a convoluted structure within the elongated cover. Additionally, the material disposed within the elongated cover may form a non-cylindrical cross-section. The material may be at least partially a polyester material.