Composite Filter Media Water Penetration Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current composite filter media face challenges in achieving a balance between low resistance to fuel flow and high resistance to water penetration, particularly in fuel streams, with existing technologies either restricting fuel flow or failing to robustly prevent water penetration under varying conditions and pressures.
Innovation Solution
A composite filter media comprising an ePTFE membrane positioned upstream of a support structure, where the support structure has a specific pore size and tensile strength ratio, and a Mullen burst pressure exceeding the water penetration pressure, ensuring high resistance to water penetration while maintaining low resistance to fuel flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If composite filter media are designed to provide high resistance to water penetration, then water penetration resistance is improved, but resistance to fuel flow increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filter media is divided into multiple discrete layers with different functions: a first layer providing water penetration resistance and a second layer providing fuel flow. These layers are bonded together at discrete points, allowing each layer to optimize its specific function without compromising the other, thus resolving the contradiction between water penetration resistance and fuel flow resistance
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite filter media consisting of multiple layers with different material properties. The first layer is selected for high water penetration resistance while the second layer is selected for low fuel flow resistance. This composite structure allows the system to simultaneously achieve both water penetration resistance and low fuel flow resistance by combining materials with complementary properties
2Reliability
If the support structure has smaller pore size to increase water penetration resistance, then water penetration resistance is improved, but fuel flow resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filter media is divided into multiple discrete layers with different functions: a first layer providing water penetration resistance and a second layer providing fuel flow. These layers are bonded together at discrete points, allowing each layer to optimize its specific function without compromising the other, thus resolving the contradiction between water penetration resistance and fuel flow resistance
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the filter media have different pore sizes optimized for their specific functions. The first layer has smaller pores optimized for water penetration resistance, while the second layer has larger pores optimized for fuel flow. This local differentiation of properties allows the system to simultaneously achieve both water penetration resistance and low fuel 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
The solution achieves a high water penetration resistance exceeding 10500 PSI/(lb/ft) with a high Resistance Ratio, effectively preventing water slug penetration at high pressures without compromising fuel flow, thus addressing the limitations of prior art technologies.
Implementation Method 1
the resistance of a media to water penetration when wet with fuel can be quantified in terms of the pressure required to drive water to penetrate through the media
Implementation Method 2
the FWWPP value is influenced by both the quality of the fuel in terms of its interfacial tension against water (IFT) and the structure of the composite filter media
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a composite filter media for use in a fuel stream wherein the composite media provides significantly improved resistance to water penetration as indicated by the FWWPP normalized for fuel IFT and a reduced resistance to flow of the fuel stream as indicated by the Ratio of Resistances.