Cationic Composite Silicate Filter Aids for Anion Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Silica and silicate filter aids have negatively-charged surface characteristics, making them ineffective for filtering negatively-charged ions and molecules, such as arsenic, which can have adverse health effects and affect liquid properties like discoloration or oxidation.

Innovation Solution

A cationic composite filter aid is developed, comprising a silicate substrate with precipitated silica and a cationic surface modification, including a cationic polymer and coupling agents like amino functional silanes, to enhance the filtration of negatively charged impurities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If silica and silicate filter aids are used for filtration, then filtration capability is provided, but negatively charged ions and molecules cannot be effectively removed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltration capabilityVSAvoidnegatively charged ions and molecules
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The surface charge parameter of the filter aid is changed from negative to positive through cationic modification. This is achieved by treating the silicate substrate with cationic polymers or compounds, which reverses the surface charge and enables effective attraction and removal of negatively charged ions and molecules while maintaining filtration capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

A cationic modifying agent acts as an intermediary between the silicate substrate and the negatively charged impurities. The cationic polymer or compound coats the surface of the filter aid, creating a positively charged interface that mediates the interaction with anionic species in the liquid being filtered

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If cationic surface modification is applied to precipitated silica, then adsorption of negatively charged particles is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadsorption propertiesVSAvoidfilter aid composition
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter aid is formulated as a composite material combining silicate substrate, precipitated silica, and cationic modifying agents. This composite structure integrates the filtration properties of silicate, the high surface area of precipitated silica, and the positive charge of cationic compounds, achieving enhanced adsorption while managing complexity through material composition rather than structural complexity

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 cationic composite filter aid effectively adsorbs negatively charged particles, improving filtration rates and adsorption properties, particularly for negatively charged ions and molecules, thereby ensuring better liquid quality.

Implementation Method 1

The cationic composite filter aid effectively adsorbs negatively charged particles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

silica and silicate filter aids have negatively-charged surface characteristics... The negative charge may make these types of filter aids suitable for filtering positively-charged ions and molecules

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic attraction: Ion Repulsion/Attraction

Data Source

PatentEP3377191B1Cationic composite silicate filter aids
Publication Date: 2023.05.31 IMERYS FILTRATION MINERALS INC
  • EP3377191B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3377191B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3377191B1 patent drawing

AI summary

A cationic composite filter aid may include a silicate substrate, a silica precipitated on the silicate substrate, and a cationic surface modification of the precipitated silica. A method for making a cationic composite filter aid may include providing a silicate substrate, precipitating a silica onto the silicate substrate to form a composite filter aid, and cationically modifying the precipitated silica to form a cationic composite filter aid. A method for filtering a liquid may include providing a liquid for filtering and filtering the liquid through a cationically modified composite filter aid. The cationically modified composite filter aid may include a silicate substrate, a precipitated silica, and a cationic surface modification of the precipitated silica.