Composite Water Purification Material for Aquaculture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods fail to effectively remove phosphorus, ammonia, nitrous acid, and nitric acid from water tanks used for rearing aquatic organisms, leading to algae blooms and frequent cleaning requirements, and existing purifying agents are not suitable for saltwater organisms or long-term algae prevention.

Innovation Solution

A water purification material composed of zeolite, ferric hydroxide, activated carbon, titanium oxide, and magnesium hydroxide in specific weight ratios, which adsorbs and oxidizes harmful substances, stabilizes pH, and prevents algae growth, maintaining water clarity and safety for saltwater organisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional adsorbents are used to remove contaminants from water, then some purification is achieved, but phosphorus, ammonia, nitrous acid, and nitric acid cannot be completely removed, leading to algae blooms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepurification effectivenessVSAvoidalgae blooms
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses a composite material comprising magnetic particles, activated carbon, and a copolymer with specific functional groups. This composite structure combines the adsorption capabilities of activated carbon with the magnetic separability of magnetic particles and the selective binding properties of the copolymer, enabling complete removal of phosphorus, ammonia, nitrous acid, and nitric acid that single-material adsorbents cannot achieve

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the chemical parameters of the adsorbent by using a copolymer with specifically designed functional groups (carboxyl, hydroxyl, or amine groups) that have different binding affinities for various contaminants. This parameter change allows selective and complete removal of target substances including phosphorus and nitrogen compounds, preventing algae blooms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If germicide is added to prevent algae blooms, then algae growth is inhibited, but the water becomes unsuitable for rearing edible fish

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealgae bloomsVSAvoidsafety for aquatic organisms
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention converts the harmful effect of nutrient accumulation (which causes algae blooms) into a benefit by using the same nutrient-containing water as the medium for adsorption. The copolymer adsorbent binds phosphorus, ammonia, nitrous acid, and nitric acid directly in the rearing water, transforming the pollution problem into a purification opportunity without introducing harmful germicides

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The copolymer adsorbent acts as an intermediary substance that mediates between the contaminants and the aquatic organisms. It selectively binds harmful substances (phosphorus, ammonia, nitrous acid, nitric acid) while leaving the water safe for fish, providing a protective barrier that removes toxins without direct contact with the organisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If wall surfaces of rearing tanks are cleaned periodically to remove algae, then algae are removed, but maintenance frequency and labor are increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealgae on wall surfacesVSAvoidcleaning frequency
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention performs preliminary action by adding the copolymer adsorbent to the water before algae can accumulate on tank walls. The adsorbent proactively removes phosphorus, ammonia, nitrous acid, and nitric acid from the water column, preventing algae growth before it starts, thereby eliminating the need for periodic cleaning interventions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 material significantly reduces the frequency of water exchanges and algae adhesion, maintaining water quality and transparency for an extended period, effectively preventing phosphorus, ammonia, and nitric acid accumulation, and preventing green algae growth for twice as long as conventional methods.

Implementation Method 1

zeolite adsorbs 'ammonia', a mixture of zeolite and iron hydroxide adsorbs 'nitrous acid' and 'nitric acid'

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

adsorption-removal capacity of phosphorus, nitrous acid, nitric acid, and the like

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIon exchange: Ion Exchange

Implementation Method 3

iron hydroxide adsorbs 'phosphorus' and 'ammonia'

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 4

activated carbon, or the like

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 5

titanium oxide oxidizes 'nitrous acid' to 'nitric acid' by a reaction with light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotocatalysis: Photo-oxidation

Implementation Method 6

magnesium has a function of stabilizing the pH of water

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNeutralization:

Data Source

PatentEP3988203B1Water purification material
Publication Date: 2024.10.23 SUGITA WIRE MFG
  • EP3988203B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3988203B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3988203B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

Provided is a purification material capable of highly efficiently removing contaminant components from water. A water purification material has a composition represented by a mixing ratio of zeolite, ferric hydroxide, activated carbon, titanium oxide, and magnesium hydroxide of 6 to 7:1 to 2:0.5 to 1:0.01 to 0.05:0.01 to 0.10 in terms of weight ratio.