Composite Adsorptive Material for Water Purification
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing composite materials for liquid purification, particularly potable water, face issues such as low adsorption rates, hydraulic resistance, compaction, and structural damage due to the use of granular or powdery activated carbon, which affect filtration efficiency and longevity.
Innovation Solution
A composite material with adjustable density volume zones formed by interlaced fibers and granulated material, where the fibers have high surface energy to enhance physical and chemical interactions, creating a self-strengthening structure that maintains filtration efficiency and prevents granule movement during liquid flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If granular activated carbon is used for water purification, then the material is cheap and has low hydraulic resistance, but the adsorption rate is low and fine contaminant particles are not removed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines granular activated carbon with fibrous material to create a composite filtration element. The granular activated carbon provides adsorption capacity while the fibrous material fills voids between granules, increases surface area for adsorption, and removes fine particles. This composite structure resolves the contradiction by maintaining the low cost of granular carbon while adding the high adsorption rate and fine particle removal capabilities of fibrous material.
2Productivity
If powdery activated carbon is used to increase adsorption rate, then the adsorption is faster, but hydraulic resistance increases and the column compacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite of powdery activated carbon and fibrous material where the fibrous component provides structural support that prevents compaction while the powdery carbon maintains high adsorption rate. The fibrous material acts as a scaffold that holds the fine carbon particles in place, preventing them from settling and creating high hydraulic resistance, thus resolving the contradiction between fast adsorption and low hydraulic resistance.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a binder is used to prevent compaction of activated carbon particles, then the column does not consolidate, but adsorption volume is reduced due to contact with immobilizing binder
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses fibrous material as an intermediary between activated carbon particles, replacing the traditional binder approach. The fibers physically separate and support the carbon particles without chemically binding them, thus preventing compaction while leaving the carbon surface accessible for adsorption. This resolves the contradiction by providing structural stability through physical support rather than chemical binding, maintaining maximum adsorption volume.
4Productivity
If activated carbon fibers are used in columns, then adsorption is improved, but the fibers compact when liquid flows causing increased flow resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fibrous material into discrete fibers that are distributed throughout the granular activated carbon matrix rather than using continuous fiber bundles. This segmentation prevents the fibers from compacting together under liquid flow pressure, as the individual fibers can move and rearrange without creating dense packed structures. The segmented structure maintains both adsorption efficiency and low flow resistance.
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
This solution reduces filtration time and increases the purification efficiency of ions like lead and chloroform, while maintaining the composite material's structure and preventing compaction, thus enhancing the overall filtration rate and resource efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A composite material with adjustable density volume zones formed by interlaced fibers and granulated material, where the fibers have high surface energy to enhance physical and chemical interactions
Implementation Method 2
creating a self-strengthening structure that maintains filtration efficiency and prevents granule movement during liquid flow
Implementation Method 3
Composite adsorptive materials for purification of liquids, in particular, potable water
Implementation Method 4
enhancing the overall filtration rate and resource efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to composite materials, and more particular to composite adsorptive materials for purification of liquids, in particular, a drinking water, on the basis of components of a granulated material and a fibrous material. The new composite material for filtering purifying a liquid on the basis of a mixture of components of granulated and fibrous materials comprises volume zones with adjustable density, which zones create the structure of the material, which structure is self-strengthened when a liquid flows in the course of filtration, wherein, said volume zones make the material most part, each zone is created in the form of a interlaced fiber site, which sites are bonded among themselves by separate fibers, and the space within and between said interlaced fiber sites is filled with a granulated material.