Carbon Fiber Filter Regeneration Using Electrochemical Microbubbles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional filtration technologies face issues such as membrane fouling, high energy consumption, complex cleaning processes, and reduced membrane lifespan due to chemical cleaning, leading to increased costs and inefficiencies in wastewater treatment.
Innovation Solution
A carbon fiber filter with controllable pore size and strong anti-pollution performance, utilizing electrochemically cleanable carbon fiber yarn wound with a constant force in a groove, and an electroflocculation-fiber filtration device for in-situ regeneration, employing electrolysis to generate microbubbles for cleaning and flocculation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If chemical cleaning is used to remove membrane fouling, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but membrane structure is damaged and service life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical cleaning with electrochemical cleaning using electrolysis. The carbon fiber filter is used as a cathode in an electrolytic cell, where water is electrolyzed to generate hydrogen peroxide and oxygen bubbles in situ. This electrochemical method cleans the filter surface without using harsh chemical reagents, thus removing fouling while preserving the membrane structure and extending service life.
Solution Approach 2:
The carbon fiber filter serves dual functions: filtration and self-cleaning. During the electrochemical cleaning process, the filter itself acts as the cathode and generates cleaning agents (hydrogen peroxide and oxygen bubbles) directly at its surface through electrolysis. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external chemical cleaning agents and enables regenerative cleaning that preserves the membrane.
2Reliability
If conventional bubble generator is used for physical cleaning, then pollution removal is achieved, but device structure becomes complex and vent tube blockage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical bubble generator system with an electrochemical bubble generation system. Instead of using a separate bubble generator device with vent tubes that can block, the carbon fiber filter itself generates oxygen bubbles through electrochemical electrolysis when used as a cathode. This eliminates the complex mechanical cleaning device structure while maintaining effective pollution removal through bubble-induced shear forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The carbon fiber filter is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the filtration medium and the electrode for electrochemical cleaning. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate cleaning devices, simplifying the overall system structure while maintaining effective pollution removal capabilities through the generated oxygen bubbles.
3Reliability
If nanobubble technology is used for membrane cleaning, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but cleaning process complexity increases and bubble generator blockage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the nanobubble generation technology with direct electrochemical bubble generation. Instead of using a nanobubble generator that requires complex processes and is prone to blockage, the carbon fiber filter generates oxygen bubbles directly through electrolysis when used as a cathode. This substitution maintains cleaning effectiveness while dramatically simplifying the cleaning process and eliminating generator blockage issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter performs self-cleaning through electrochemical bubble generation. When the carbon fiber filter is used as a cathode in an electrolytic cell, it generates oxygen bubbles directly at its own surface through water electrolysis. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external nanobubble generation equipment and complex cleaning processes, reducing system complexity while maintaining effective cleaning.
4Manufacturing precision
If carbon fiber yarn is wound with constant force to form filter layer, then filter pore size is controllable and anti-pollution performance is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic control of the carbon fiber yarn winding process by applying constant force during winding. This dynamic approach allows the filter pore size to be controlled through the winding tension, enabling precise manufacturing while maintaining a relatively simple process. The constant force application during winding creates consistent fiber spacing and controlled porosity without requiring complex manufacturing equipment.
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 carbon fiber filter achieves effective filtration and regeneration, maintaining stable flux and extending membrane life, while reducing operational costs and enhancing treatment efficiency for high-concentration organic and suspended substances.
Implementation Method 1
employing electrolysis to generate microbubbles for cleaning
Implementation Method 2
The mechanism of the membrane separation technology is size exclusion (e.g. microfiltration)
Implementation Method 3
carbon fiber filter and regeneration method therefor
Data Source
AI summary
A carbon fiber filter includes a center filter body and carbon fiber yarn wound around the center filter body. The center filter body is hollow and includes a water outlet. A surface of the center filter body is provided with at least one inverted triangular groove. A plurality of through holes are arranged in the groove. The through holes and the water outlet are in communication with a hollow inner cavity of the center filter body. The carbon fiber yarn is wound in the groove with a constant force to form a filter layer.