Adsorption Filter Material with Integrated Aerosol Filtration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current NBC protective clothing and filter materials face limitations in providing effective protection against both chemical and biological warfare agents, particularly aerosols and particles, with impermeable suits causing heat buildup and permeable suits offering insufficient protection against aerosols and particles.

Innovation Solution

Development of an adsorption filter material with integrated particle and aerosol protection, featuring a multi-layer structure with a gas-permeable textile-based aerosol filter layer produced by electrospinning or meltblow processes, combined with an activated carbon adsorption layer for enhanced protection against chemical and biological pollutants.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If impermeable membrane suits are used to protect against chemical and biological toxins, then protection against chemical and biological pollutants is improved, but heat build-up occurs leading to reduced comfort

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against chemical and biological toxinsVSAvoidheat build-up
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The protective suit is divided into multiple functional layers: an outer impermeable membrane layer for chemical/biological protection, and an inner permeable adsorption filter layer for particle/aerosol filtration. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function without compromising the other, enabling protection while managing heat and moisture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The suit combines different material properties by integrating an impermeable membrane material (for chemical resistance) with a permeable adsorptive filter material containing activated carbon (for particle filtration and breathability). This composite structure provides both protection and comfort by leveraging the strengths of each material type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of operation

If permeable adsorptive filter systems based on activated carbon are used, then comfort and breathability are improved, but protection against aerosols and pollutant particles is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomfort and breathabilityVSAvoidprotection against aerosols and pollutant particles
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The protective system is segmented into distinct functional zones: the outer impermeable membrane handles liquid chemical protection, while the inner permeable adsorption layer with activated carbon specifically targets particle and aerosol filtration. This segmentation ensures that comfort is maintained through breathability while particle protection is achieved through the specialized adsorption layer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The filter system combines permeable textile materials with activated carbon particles to create a composite adsorption medium that maintains breathability and comfort while significantly enhancing particle and aerosol filtration capability through the adsorptive properties of activated carbon.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Productivity

If a single-layer permeable filter material is used, then air permeability and comfort are maintained, but integrated particle and aerosol protection is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair permeabilityVSAvoidintegrated particle and aerosol protection
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The filter material is segmented into multiple functional layers with distinct roles: the outer layer provides structural support and initial particle filtration, while the inner activated carbon adsorption layer provides enhanced aerosol and chemical vapor protection. This segmentation enables both layers to work together, maintaining air permeability while achieving comprehensive protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The multi-layer structure combines different material compositions including textile fibers and activated carbon particles in specific arrangements, creating a composite filter material that achieves both high air permeability for comfort and integrated particle-aerosol protection through the synergistic effects of the different materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 adsorption filter material achieves over 90% efficiency in filtering aerosols and particles, maintaining high air permeability and comfort, comparable to conventional membrane systems while providing robust protection against chemical and biological threats.

Implementation Method 1

a particle and/or aerosol filter layer (6), in particular a combined particle and aerosol filter layer (6)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical filtration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

an adsorption layer (4) with a protective function against biological and/or chemical pollutants

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentEP2160228B1Adsorption filter material with integrated particle- and/or aerosol-filtering function and its use
Publication Date: 2013.05.29 BLUCHER GMBH
  • EP2160228B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to an adsorption filter material with integrated particle and/or aerosol protection and with protective performance against biological and/or chemical noxious substances, in particular biological and/or chemical warfare agents, the adsorption filter material including a multilayered construction comprising a carrier layer, an adsorption layer facing the carrier layer and preferably fixed to the carrier layer, and optionally a covering layer disposed on that side of the adsorption layer which is remote from the carrier layer, the adsorption filter material additionally including a particle- and/or aerosol-filtering layer preferably disposed between the adsorption layer and the covering layer, the particle- and/or aerosol-filtering layer being constructed as an air-permeable textile fabric formed from fibres having fibre diameters in the range from 10 nm to 5 µm, preferably 100 nm to 1.1 µm and preferably having a basis weight of 1 to 75 g/m2, in particular 2 to 50 g/m2, more preferably 5 to 15 g/m2. The adsorption filter material is particularly useful in NBC protective materials of any kind (such as NBC protective apparel for example) and in the manufacture of filters.