Liquid Treatment Membrane With Carbonized Recycled Nonwoven
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid treatment devices using separation membranes, such as reverse osmosis membranes, face high maintenance costs and environmental risks due to the need for periodic replacement and certain types of separation portions.
Innovation Solution
A liquid treatment device employing a membrane distillation method with a distillation unit that includes a non-woven fabric separation portion made from recycled materials, subjected to carbonization treatment to enhance hydrophobicity, and a depressurizing unit to improve recovery efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a reverse osmosis membrane is used to separate water-soluble substances, then separation effectiveness is improved, but maintenance cost increases due to periodic replacement requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a separation portion made from recycled materials that can be easily replaced when degraded, rather than using expensive reverse osmosis membranes requiring periodic replacement. This disposable approach with low-cost materials reduces maintenance costs while maintaining adequate separation performance for the application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the separation mechanism by changing from pressure-driven reverse osmosis to temperature-driven membrane distillation. This parameter change allows the use of simpler, less expensive separation portions made from recycled materials that do not require the high maintenance costs associated with reverse osmosis membranes.
2Reliability
If conventional separation portions are used, then separation function is achieved, but environmental impact increases due to resource consumption and waste generation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent recovers and reuses recycled materials to manufacture the separation portion, transforming waste materials into functional components. This approach reduces environmental impact by minimizing resource consumption and waste generation while maintaining the necessary separation function.
Solution Approach 2:
The separation portion is constructed from composite materials derived from recycled sources, combining various recovered materials to achieve the required separation properties. This use of composite recycled materials reduces environmental impact compared to conventional single-material separation portions.
3Ease of manufacture
If membrane distillation with recycled materials is used, then maintenance cost and environmental impact are reduced, but hydrophobicity may be insufficient for optimal performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies carbonization treatment to the recycled material-based separation portion, fundamentally changing its surface properties to achieve the necessary hydrophobicity. This parameter change in surface chemistry enables the recycled material to perform effectively in membrane distillation while maintaining the cost and environmental benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the need for expensive hydrophobic coatings or specialized hydrophobic materials with a carbonization treatment process. This substitution achieves the required hydrophobicity through chemical modification of the recycled material structure, eliminating the need for additional expensive hydrophobic components.
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 device reduces maintenance costs and environmental impact while enhancing the recovery efficiency of treated water by using recycled materials and improving hydrophobicity through carbonization treatment.
Implementation Method 1
a heating unit configured to heat the water to be treated in the liquid storage unit
Implementation Method 2
a distillation unit configured to separate, using a membrane distillation method, the water-soluble substance and a moisture content from the water to be treated
Implementation Method 3
water vapor being generated as a result of the water to be treated passing through the separation portion
Implementation Method 4
a gas-phase portion into which water vapor diffuses
Implementation Method 5
a non-woven fabric using a recycled material as a raw material and on which a carbonization treatment has been performed
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid treatment device includes a liquid storage unit that stores water to be treated in which a water-soluble substance is dissolved, a heating unit that heats the water to be treated in the liquid storage unit, and a distillation unit that separates, using a membrane distillation method, the water-soluble substance and a moisture content from the water to be treated. The distillation unit includes a liquid-phase portion into which the water to be treated flows from the liquid storage unit, a separation portion that is a non-woven fabric using a recycled material as a raw material and on which a carbonization treatment has been performed, and a gas-phase portion in which water vapor, which is generated as a result of the water to be treated passing through the separation portion, diffuses.