Composite Filtration Membrane for Heavy Metal Binding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for removing heavy metals, bacteria, viruses, and micropollutants from liquids are inefficient due to low capacity, lack of selectivity, instability, high energy consumption, and inability to process low-concentration solutions, with existing filtration systems being unsuitable for large volume flows and requiring complex pre-cleaning processes.
Innovation Solution
A composite material comprising an organic polymer and a layered material with a pore system where the organic polymer is introduced and immobilized within the pores, allowing for both mechanical filtration and chemical selective binding, capable of processing large volume flows with moderate heavy metal contamination and sterilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If ion exchangers or adsorber resins are used for metal removal, then binding capacity is provided, but selectivity is poor and service life is short
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite material consisting of a porous support structure combined with an organic polymer phase having complex formation capability. This composite structure provides both the mechanical stability and binding capacity needed for high service life and selectivity, resolving the contradiction between binding capacity and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The organic polymer phase is distributed within the pores of the support structure, creating local binding sites with high selectivity for specific metals. This localized functional distribution maintains high binding capacity while improving selectivity through the specific chemical properties of the polymer phase.
2Reliability
If complex formation phases are used for metal binding, then selectivity improves, but throughput is low and production is complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a porous support structure that provides high surface area and open pore channels, enabling large volume flows to pass through while maintaining contact with the organic polymer phase. This porous architecture resolves the contradiction between selectivity and throughput by providing extensive binding interfaces without restricting flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The organic polymer phase is introduced into the three-dimensional pore structure of the support, creating a distributed binding network throughout the material volume. This dimensional distribution allows simultaneous high selectivity at multiple binding sites and high throughput through open pore channels.
3Measurement precision
If mechanical filtration membranes are used for bacteria removal, then filtration efficiency is achieved, but biofilm formation occurs and service life is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the binding function from a separate component and integrates it directly into the filtration membrane structure. The organic polymer phase is incorporated within the pore structure, providing both mechanical filtration and chemical binding in a single integrated system that prevents biofilm formation and extends service life.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges mechanical filtration and chemical binding functions into a single composite membrane structure. The porous support provides mechanical filtration while the organic polymer phase provides selective binding, creating an integrated system that simultaneously achieves filtration efficiency and extended service life through multiple mechanisms.
4Quantity of substance
If precipitation methods are used for metal removal, then separation is achieved, but metal content in precipitate is low and recycling is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the binding phase by using an organic polymer with specific complex formation capabilities. This creates strong, selective binding sites that concentrate metals at high levels in the precipitate, enabling both efficient separation and subsequent recycling through regeneration of the binding phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the organic polymer phase to enable easy regeneration after metal binding. The bound metals can be recovered through controlled release mechanisms, allowing the binding phase to be reused multiple times and the metals to be recycled, resolving the contradiction between separation efficiency and substance recovery.
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 material effectively combines mechanical filtration and chemical selective binding, enabling efficient removal of heavy metals and micropollutants from dilute and concentrated solutions, maintaining high volume throughput and facilitating easy recovery and regeneration, while providing effective sterilization and antifouling properties.
Implementation Method 1
The binding behavior is based on complex formation
Implementation Method 2
ion exchangers or other adsorber resins are used
Implementation Method 3
mechanical filtration of the liquids to be cleaned were possible simultaneously
Implementation Method 4
Membranes are used here that mechanically remove bacteria from water due to their pore structure
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a composite material which is suitable both for mechanical filtration and for chemical/selective binding/rejection/exclusion of substances from solutions. Furthermore, the present invention relates to the use of the composite material as a filtration membrane. The present invention is thus also directed to a filtration membrane comprising a composite material according to the invention, such as the use of the filtration membrane for the purification of liquids and/or for the separation of substances from liquids and/or for the removal of bacteria or viruses from liquids.