Co-agglomerated Composite Filter Aid for High Permeability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing diatomaceous earth and natural glass products used in filtration applications often have high crystalline silica content, high impurity levels, and low permeability, making them less desirable for effective filtration due to poor performance in filtering applications.
Innovation Solution
A composite filter aid is developed by co-agglomerating diatomaceous earth and natural glass with a precipitated silica binder, enhancing permeability and reducing impurities, with specific properties such as permeability ranging from 2 to 20 darcys, and a low cristobalite content, to improve filtration efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If diatomaceous earth and natural glass products are used in filtration applications, then filtration capacity is provided, but permeability is low and impurity levels are high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines diatomaceous earth particles with natural glass particles to form a composite filter aid material. This composite structure allows the benefits of both materials to work together while reducing the harmful effects of individual components, specifically lowering crystalline silica content and impurity levels while maintaining or improving filtration performance and permeability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of the filter aid by controlling particle size distribution, porosity, and compositional ratios of diatomaceous earth to natural glass. These parameter changes result in improved permeability and reduced impurity content while maintaining effective filtration capacity.
2Reliability
If traditional filter aid materials are used, then filtration is provided, but permeability is low limiting filtration efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the inherently porous structure of both diatomaceous earth and natural glass particles to create a composite material with enhanced porosity and permeability. The porous nature of these materials allows for improved fluid flow through the filter cake while maintaining effective particle trapping, thereby increasing filtration efficiency without sacrificing filtration capability.
3Reliability
If filter cake accumulates debris, then filtration of particles is achieved, but fluid flow is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the particle size distribution and porosity parameters of the composite filter aid to create a filter cake structure that maintains high permeability even when loaded with debris. The controlled parameters allow the filter cake to accommodate accumulated particles while preserving adequate fluid flow pathways, extending the filtration cycle before blockage occurs.
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 composite filter aid exhibits improved permeability and reduced turbidity, extending filtration cycle and maintaining fluid clarity, while minimizing soluble iron content and maintaining low crystalline silica levels, thus enhancing filtration performance.
Implementation Method 1
co-agglomerating diatomaceous earth and natural glass with a precipitated silica binder
Implementation Method 2
enhancing permeability... permeability ranging from 2 to 20 darcys
Data Source
AI summary
A composite filter aid may include diatomaceous earth, natural glass, and a precipitated silica binder, wherein the filter aid has a permeability ranging from 3 to 20 darcys. A composite filter aid may include diatomaceous earth, perlite, and a precipitated silica binder, wherein the filter aid has an alpha density less than 15 lbs/ft3. A method for making a composite material may include blending diatomaceous earth and perlite, adding alkali silicate to the blended diatomaceous earth and perlite, and precipitating the alkali silicate as a binder to make the composite material. A method for filtering a beverage may include using a composite filter aid and/or composite material.