Capillary Filter Element With Pressure Shock Absorber

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Solution Overview

Problem

Rotary vacuum filter apparatuses face challenges with the short service life of filter elements and high energy consumption due to vacuum losses through cloth filter media, and ceramic filter media prevents air passage when wet, limiting vacuum levels.

Innovation Solution

A filter element with a capillary filter member and internal cavity connected to a flow channel for drainage, featuring a pressure shock absorbing element that reversibly deforms under positive pressure, extending the service life and enabling more economical operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If cloth filter medium is used, then filtration can be performed, but vacuum losses occur during cake deliquoring requiring heavy duty vacuum pumps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevacuum lossesVSAvoidenergy consumption of vacuum pumps
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a ceramic filter medium with controlled porosity that allows liquid passage while blocking air during cake deliquoring. The porous structure is designed to maintain capillary action that prevents air penetration, thereby eliminating vacuum losses and enabling the use of smaller, more energy-efficient vacuum pumps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical and chemical parameters of the filter medium by using ceramic materials with specific pore size distributions and surface properties. These parameter changes enable the medium to exhibit selective permeability - allowing liquid flow during filtration while preventing air passage during deliquoring, thus reducing energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by stationary object

If ceramic filter medium is used, then vacuum level is reduced and smaller pumps can be used, but air cannot pass through when wet due to capillary action

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesize and energy consumption of vacuum pumpsVSAvoidair passage capability during cake deliquoring
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The ceramic filter medium is engineered with controlled porosity and pore size distribution to optimize performance. The porous structure provides capillary action that prevents air passage when wet, maintaining vacuum efficiency, while still allowing liquid filtration. This resolves the contradiction by designing the material properties to achieve both energy efficiency and operational effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

3Productivity

If a large number of filter elements are used in rotary vacuum filter apparatuses, then filtration capacity is increased, but service life of each filter element becomes a critical factor for efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltration capacityVSAvoidservice life of filter elements
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a pressure shock absorbing element that cushiones against pressure shocks before they can damage the filter element. This beforehand cushioning protects the filter element from mechanical stress during operation, thereby extending its service life and maintaining filtration capacity over longer periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The filter element is constructed as a composite structure combining ceramic filter medium with a pressure shock absorbing element. This composite design integrates the filtration functionality of ceramic materials with the protective functionality of the shock-absorbing component, achieving both high productivity and extended service life.

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 solution enhances the service life of filter elements and reduces energy consumption by maintaining vacuum levels and allowing air-tight operation during cake deliquoring, making the filter apparatus more economical and efficient.

Implementation Method 1

The ceramic filter medium, when wetted, does not allow air to pass through due to a capillary action

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 2

a pressure shock absorbing element that is reversibly deformable and connected to the internal cavity, the pressure shock absorbing element arranged to change its volume under a positive pressure shock

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3370843B1Filter element and filter apparatus
Publication Date: 2019.08.28 OUTOTEC FINDLAND OY
  • EP3370843B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3370843B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3370843B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

A filter element and a filter apparatus. The filter element comprises at least one filter member forming a capillary filter, an internal cavity in fluid communication with the filter member, and a flow channel arranged in fluid communication with the internal cavity for placing the internal cavity in fluid communication with a drainage line of the filter apparatus. The filter element further comprises a pressure shock absorbing element that is reversibly deformable and connected to the internal cavity, the pressure shock absorbing element arranged to change its volume under a positive pressure shock taking place in the internal cavity.