Cellulose Ester Filter Layer for Selective Wine Phenol Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filter technologies are ineffective in rapidly, selectively, and cost-effectively removing volatile phenols such as 4-ethylphenol and 4-ethylguaiacol from wine, which cause off-flavors, and existing adsorbents like cellulose acetate and zeolite fail to adequately address this issue.
Innovation Solution
A filter layer comprising a fibrous matrix with embedded cellulose ester particles or fibers, preferably cellulose acetate propionate, and optionally additional filter aids like diatomaceous earth and aluminosilicate, designed to provide a three-dimensional structure for effective adsorption of phenols, ensuring high surface area and durability for repeated use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional filter aids (kieselguhr, perlite, activated carbon, PVPP) are used in cellulose fibre matrix, then solid/liquid separation is achieved, but volatile phenols cannot be effectively removed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines cellulose fibres with cellulose ester particles (acetate, propionate, or butyrate) to create a composite filter material. The cellulose ester component specifically adsorbs volatile phenols while the cellulose matrix provides structural support and filtration capability, achieving both phenol removal and effective filtration simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The filter layer utilizes the porous structure of cellulose fibres and cellulose ester particles to enable fluid passage while trapping contaminants. The porous matrix allows wine to flow through while the adsorbent particles within the pores selectively bind volatile phenols
2Reliability
If up to 20 g/l of cellulose acetate/propionate fibres are left in contaminated wine for 60 minutes, then phenolic content is reduced by up to 40%, but the fibres must be removed and regenerated
Solution Approach 1:
The adsorbent is pre-incorporated into the filter layer structure before filtration begins. This eliminates the need for separate addition and removal steps required in conventional processes, as the active adsorbent material is already in place to immediately begin phenol removal as wine passes through
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the adsorbent function from the filtration process and integrates it directly into the filter medium structure. The cellulose ester particles are embedded within the cellulose matrix, creating a unified filter layer that performs both filtration and phenol adsorption in a single pass
3Productivity
If filter layers with embedded adsorbent are designed, then rapid and selective phenol removal is achieved, but adsorbent must be embedded in fibrous matrix to maintain structural cohesion
Solution Approach 1:
The filter layer is designed with heterogeneous composition where cellulose ester particles are distributed throughout the cellulose matrix. Different regions of the filter layer contain varying concentrations of adsorbent, optimizing phenol removal in high-traffic areas while maintaining structural integrity in load-bearing regions
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the structural function of cellulose fibres with the adsorptive function of cellulose ester particles into a single integrated filter layer. The two materials are combined in a pulping process and formed together, creating a unified structure that simultaneously provides mechanical strength and phenol removal capability
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 filter layer effectively reduces volatile phenols in wine, maintaining wine quality by ensuring rapid, selective, and cost-effective removal, with the ability to filter large volumes without adsorbent loss, and can also restore wine aroma and remove other contaminants like pesticides.
Implementation Method 1
an adsorbent embedded in the fibrous material matrix for the targeted removal of substances that impair taste, in particular from wine
Data Source
AI summary
A filter layer containing a fibrous matrix and an adsorbent embedded in the fibrous matrix for the targeted removal of substances that impair taste, in particular from wine, as well as a filter system with the filter layer, a use of the filter layer, a process for manufacturing the filter layer and a process for removing phenols from wine. The filter layer contains a fibrous matrix, preferably with cellulose fibres, and an adsorbent embedded in the matrix. The adsorbent has a weight percentage between 15% and 60%. The adsorbent contains cellulose ester particles, preferably cellulose acetate propionate particles, at least 80% of the particles having a diameter of less than 200 um. Alternatively or additionally, the adsorbent contains cellulose ester fibres, preferably cellulose acetate fibres, at least 80% of the fibres having a length of 0.5-5 mm, and a largest external diameter of 10 μm to 200 μm.