Collapsible Mesh Substrate for Replaceable Water Purification Particles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water purification systems face challenges in effectively replacing exhausted adsorption particles and maintaining continuous operation, particularly in commercial settings, as they often suffer from fouling and inefficiencies in particle deposition and removal processes.
Innovation Solution
A water purification system utilizing Heated Aluminum Oxide Particles (HAOPs) deposited on a collapsible mesh substrate, supported by an undersized frame, allows for the fluttering mesh to release exhausted particles during backwashing, enabling the deposition of fresh layers, and incorporates a hydraulic logic system with cylindrical tubes for efficient particle management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a thin layer of adsorbent particles is deposited on a membrane for water purification, then contaminant removal efficiency is improved, but the membrane becomes fouled long before substantial particle accumulation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the filtration function into two separate components: a reusable mesh support structure and replaceable adsorbent particle layers. This segmentation allows the mesh to be cleaned and reused while the particle layers can be replaced when exhausted, preventing permanent fouling of the support structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a process where adsorbent particle layers are discarded after exhaustion and replaced with fresh layers, while the mesh support is recovered and reused. This is achieved through backflushing that removes spent particles and redeposition of fresh particles, maintaining continuous filtration capability without permanent membrane fouling.
2Reliability
If candle filters use rigid tubes with DE coating for filtration, then particulate contaminants are captured effectively, but the system requires high pressure (6-10 atmospheres) and cannot remove dissolved contaminants
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces rigid candle filter tubes with flexible mesh substrates that can be collapsed and expanded. This flexibility allows the system to operate at lower pressures while maintaining filtration effectiveness, and enables the mesh to be collapsed for efficient backflushing and particle layer replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operating pressure parameter from high pressure (6-10 atmospheres in candle filters) to low pressure operation. The flexible mesh design allows effective filtration and particle removal at substantially lower pressures, reducing energy requirements and system stress.
3Reliability
If asymmetric ceramic membranes use a thin skin for filtration, then dissolved contaminants are removed, but the filtering material is permanently attached and cannot be regenerated
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the filtration system into a permanent mesh support and replaceable particle layers, allowing the particles to be removed and regenerated or replaced, unlike permanently attached ceramic membrane skins.
Solution Approach 2:
The adsorbent particle layers can be discarded after exhaustion and recovered for regeneration or replacement, providing a non-permanent attachment solution that enables continuous operation without permanent membrane fouling.
4Productivity
If dynamic membrane bio-reactors use particles to form a layer on mesh support, then water flux is increased, but the system is limited to laboratory scale and particles cannot be effectively removed for reuse
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses hydraulic backflushing to remove particles from the mesh support, enabling effective particle removal and reuse. This hydraulic mechanism allows the system to be scaled up from laboratory to commercial scale by providing an efficient method for particle management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements effective particle removal through backflushing, allowing particles to be recovered and reused. This enables commercial-scale operation by maintaining particle effectiveness through regeneration or replacement, overcoming the laboratory-scale limitation.
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 system achieves effective and continuous contaminant removal by ensuring the timely replacement of exhausted particles, enhancing filtration efficiency and reducing fouling, thereby improving the overall performance and reliability of water purification.
Implementation Method 1
the mesh to flutter during backwashing to release exhausted HAOPs from the mesh
Implementation Method 2
utilizing HAOPs (Heated Aluminum Oxide Particles) deposited on an oversized mesh substrate
Data Source
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AI summary
A water purification system using HIOPs and HAOPs is disclosed.