Bound Activated Carbon Sheets for Vapor Control in Enclosed Volumes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for removing vapors from enclosed volumes, such as cadaver pouches, munitions, and storage cases, using carbon cloth or granular activated carbon are costly, risk contamination, and pose handling issues, making them impractical for effective vapor removal.

Innovation Solution

A sorbent material sheet product composed of activated carbon and a binder, optionally with polymeric scrims, is used to adsorb vapors within enclosed volumes, allowing for flexible installation and reducing contamination risks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If carbon cloth material is used to adsorb vapors, then vapor removal effectiveness is improved, but cost increases and risk of fiber shedding contamination occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevapor removal effectivenessVSAvoidfiber shedding contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses granular activated carbon material with porous structure to adsorb vapors. The porous nature of the granular material provides high surface area for vapor adsorption while preventing fiber shedding issues associated with carbon cloth. The granular form maintains structural integrity without releasing fibers into the enclosed volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines granular activated carbon with a binder material to create a composite adsorbent structure. This composite formulation maintains the vapor adsorption effectiveness of activated carbon while the binder holds the granular material together, preventing dispersion and contamination, and enabling the material to be formed into usable shapes or coatings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If granular activated carbon is used to adsorb vapors, then vapor removal effectiveness is improved, but handling difficulty increases and risk of embedding contamination occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevapor removal effectivenessVSAvoidhandling difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges granular activated carbon with a binder material to create a unified composite structure. This combination allows the material to be formed into cohesive shapes or coatings that are easier to handle and install while maintaining the vapor adsorption effectiveness of the granular carbon. The binder prevents the granular material from dispersing during handling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state and form of the activated carbon from loose granules to a bound composite structure. By altering the material's physical parameters through binding, the system improves handling characteristics while preserving the chemical adsorption properties of the activated carbon.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If carbon cloth is stitched to walls of enclosed volume, then installation is achieved, but sealing integrity may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation feasibilityVSAvoidsealing integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flexible binder material that can be applied as a coating or thin layer on the interior surfaces of the enclosed volume. This flexible binding approach allows the adsorbent material to conform to surfaces and maintain sealing integrity without requiring stitching or penetrations that would compromise the enclosure's seal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 sorbent material sheet product effectively adsorbs vapors with improved performance and reduced contamination risk, offering higher butane working capacity and flexibility in design, suitable for various enclosed volumes.

Implementation Method 1

contacting the vapors with a sorbent material sheet product, wherein the sorbent material sheet product includes: a sorbent material and a binder that holds the sorbent material in place

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentUS12558668B2Vapor adsorbent for enclosed volumes

Publication Date: 2026.02.24 CALGON CARBON CORPORATION

AI summary

Sorbent material sheets are attached to an inner surface of an article having an enclosed volume, such as a cadaver pouch, an ammunition storage container, or a film or video tape storage box. The sorbent material sheets adsorb vapors which are released by the contents of the enclosed volumes, while providing flexibility and without releasing particles which could contaminate the contents of the enclosed volume.