Charged Fibrous Membrane Filtration for High-Flux Water Purification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water filtration systems face challenges in achieving comprehensive removal of a wide range of undesirable particulates, chemicals, and biological contaminants while maintaining high water flux, with methods like chemical coagulation and flocculation leading to carcinogenic by-products and high operational costs, and adsorption techniques requiring slow flow rates and cumbersome packing.
Innovation Solution
A fibrous membrane composed of microfibers and nanofibers functionalized with both positive and negative charges, capable of removing contaminants through size exclusion, adsorption, and ion exchange, combined with porous resin beads and activated carbon for enhanced filtration efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If chemical coagulation and flocculation are used for water treatment, then purification effectiveness is improved, but carcinogenic by-products are generated and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the harmful effect of electrostatic attraction that normally causes contaminant aggregation into beneficial selective adsorption. The charged functional groups on fiber surfaces selectively attract and bind specific contaminants (heavy metals, bacteria, viruses) while allowing water to pass through, converting what could be harmful aggregation into beneficial targeted removal without generating carcinogenic by-products
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical-chemical process of coagulation and flocculation with an electrostatic field-based filtration mechanism. Instead of using chemical reagents that generate harmful by-products, the invention uses electrostatic attraction between charged functional groups on fiber surfaces and contaminants to achieve purification, eliminating the generation of carcinogenic substances
2Reliability
If adsorption using packed bed of porous resin beads is used, then purification factor is improved, but operational flow rates must be very low and residence times are very long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a fibrous matrix structure with controlled porosity that allows high flow rates while maintaining effective contact between water and filtration materials. The porous fibrous structure provides large surface area for adsorption and ion exchange while maintaining open channels for rapid water flow, eliminating the need for slow flow rates required by packed bed systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite filtration system by incorporating multiple functional materials (charged resins, activated carbon, metal oxides) directly onto or within the fibrous matrix. This composite structure combines the high surface area and adsorption capacity of resin beads with the high flow rate capability of fibrous filters, achieving both high purification factor and high operational flow rate simultaneously
3Reliability
If comprehensive filtration is achieved using multiple modules, then removal of wide range of contaminants is improved, but device complexity and bulkiness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a multi-functional fibrous filter that simultaneously performs multiple filtration mechanisms (adsorption, ion exchange, size exclusion, electrostatic attraction) within a single integrated structure. The fibrous matrix is functionalized with different charged groups and filtration materials that work together to remove diverse contaminants including heavy metals, bacteria, viruses, and organic compounds, eliminating the need for separate specialized modules
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple filtration functions and materials into a single integrated fibrous filter assembly. Instead of using separate modules for different filtration mechanisms, the invention combines adsorption resins, activated carbon, metal oxides, and charged functional groups within one fibrous matrix structure, achieving comprehensive contamination removal while simplifying the overall device design and reducing bulkiness
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 fibrous membrane achieves high filtration capacity and efficiency with maintained water flux, reducing contaminants including heavy metals and bacteria, and simplifies packing requirements for resin beads and activated carbon.
Implementation Method 1
capable of removing contaminants through size exclusion, adsorption, and ion exchange
Implementation Method 2
capable of removing contaminants through size exclusion, adsorption, and ion exchange
Implementation Method 3
capable of removing contaminants through size exclusion, adsorption, and ion exchange
Implementation Method 4
nanofibers and microfibers can be functionalized to form a fibrous membrane that carry both the positive and/or negative charges
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a novel fibrous membrane comprising at least one substrate layer comprising at least 80% by weight of microfibers that carry positively charged and/or negatively charged functional groups, and at least one layer of filtration material attached to the substrate layer, wherein the layer of filtration material comprises at least 80% by weight of nanofibers that carry negatively charged and/or positively charged functional groups. The fibrous membrane is able to remove or reduce the concentration of bacteria, viruses and heavy metals while maintaining relatively high water flow. The invention also relates to filter comprising the fibrous membrane and a method for manufacturing the fibrous membrane.