Amine-Functional Polymer Carrier for Water Ion Binding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for removing nitrate and phosphate ions from contaminated water, such as ion exchange, reverse osmosis, and chemical treatment, are complex and expensive, necessitating a simpler and more cost-effective solution that allows for regenerable or reusable materials.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a carrier material loaded with amine-functional polymers, like polyvinylamine, which binds nitrate and phosphate ions when contacted with contaminated water, and can be regenerated using an aqueous mineral acid, allowing for cyclic use and effective filtration through filter elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional methods (ion exchange, reverse osmosis, chemical treatment) are used to remove nitrate and phosphate ions, then purification effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and isolates the essential binding function from complex conventional systems by using a simple textile carrier material loaded with amine-functional polymer. The textile material itself serves as the binding medium, eliminating the need for complex ion exchange resins, reverse osmosis membranes, or chemical treatment systems while maintaining effective nitrate and phosphate removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The textile carrier material utilizes its inherent porous and fibrous structure to provide large surface area for polymer attachment and ion binding. The porous nature of the textile allows contaminated water to penetrate and contact the amine-functional polymer throughout the material volume, enabling effective binding without complex system design.
2Reliability
If conventional purification methods are implemented, then nitrate and phosphate removal is achieved, but operational cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs inexpensive textile carrier materials (such as polyester or cotton fabrics) that can be easily manufactured or obtained. These materials are loaded with amine-functional polymer and can be used until exhaustion, then disposed of or regenerated. The low cost of the textile substrate and polymer loading makes the overall system economically viable compared to conventional methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention optimizes binding effectiveness by controlling pH parameters during the loading and operation phases. The amine-functional polymer exhibits enhanced binding capacity under specific pH conditions, allowing the system to maintain high ion removal efficiency without requiring expensive catalysts or complex reaction conditions.
3Reliability
If single-use binding materials are used, then ion binding is effective, but loss of substance increases due to material disposal
Solution Approach 1:
The invention enables recovery and regeneration of the textile carrier material after it has bound nitrate and phosphate ions. The saturated material can be treated to desorb the bound ions, regenerating the amine-functional polymer binding sites. This allows the same textile material to be reused multiple times, reducing waste and making the process sustainable.
4Reliability
If amine-functional polymer is loaded on textile carrier, then binding effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The amine-functional polymer is pre-loaded onto the textile carrier material in a simplified process that can be performed before the binding application. The polymer solution is applied to the textile, allowed to penetrate and bind to the fibers, then dried or cured. This preliminary loading creates a ready-to-use binding material that maintains high effectiveness while simplifying subsequent operational steps.
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
This approach effectively reduces nitrate and phosphate levels in water, maintaining binding capacity across multiple cycles, with optimal performance at neutral pH, and is suitable for use in filter cartridges for efficient water treatment.
Implementation Method 1
the amine-functional polymers are bound to a carrier material or constitute this carrier material. The carrier material is brought into contact with the contaminated water and directly binds the nitrate and/or phosphate ions
Implementation Method 2
The process according to the invention utilizes the ability of amine-functional polymers to form salts with mineral and organic acids
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for binding nitrate and/or phosphate ions from contaminated water, in particular drinking water, comprising the steps of providing a carrier material loaded with an amine-functional polymer, applying the nitrate and/or phosphate ion-contaminated water to the carrier material, regenerating the carrier material by washing out the bound nitrate and/or phosphate ions with an aqueous acid, and optionally repeating the preceding steps cyclically.