Deionizing Filter Panels with Charged Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current deionizing filter technologies are inadequate in efficiently removing ions from fluids, particularly in water desalination and wastewater treatment, as they often require high energy and struggle with selective ion separation.
Innovation Solution
The development of micro-structured filter panels and devices with stacked arrangements, featuring charged surfaces and filter features that allow for the passage of fluids while attracting and separating ions, creating a unique ion exclusion field to manage fluid flow and ion separation effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional deionizing filter technologies are used, then ion removal function is provided, but energy consumption is high and ion separation selectivity is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating regions with different surface charge densities on the filter membrane. Specifically, the membrane contains both positively charged regions and negatively charged regions in different locations, enabling selective attraction and rejection of different ion types (cations and anions) based on their local charge environment, thereby achieving high ion separation selectivity without requiring high energy input
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional high-energy mechanical or thermal deionization methods with an electrostatic field-based filtration mechanism. The charged surfaces of the filter membrane create electrostatic forces that selectively attract and remove ions from the fluid stream, substituting low-energy electrostatic interactions for high-energy conventional methods, thus achieving efficient deionization with minimal energy consumption
2Productivity
If filter structures with charged surfaces are used, then ion separation efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a porous filter membrane structure that is inherently complex at the micro-scale but simple in overall form. The porous structure provides large surface area for ion interaction while maintaining a simple flat-sheet geometry. The charged surfaces are integrated into the porous structure, allowing ions to be captured as the fluid passes through the pores, achieving high ion separation efficiency without complicating the macroscopic device design
Solution Approach 2:
The filter membrane performs multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a physical barrier, provides charged surfaces for ion attraction, enables selective ion separation, and maintains fluid flow. This multi-functionality is achieved through the integrated design where the porous structure and charged surfaces work together, improving ion separation efficiency while avoiding the need for separate components that would increase device complexity
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 enables efficient deionization of fluids, producing both filtered water and concentrated ions with minimal energy requirements, effectively addressing the limitations of existing technologies in ion removal and separation.
Implementation Method 1
charged surfaces and filter features that allow for the passage of fluids while attracting and separating ions, creating a unique ion exclusion field
Data Source
AI summary
Deionizing fluid filter devices and methods of use are described herein. An example filter device comprises a plurality stacked panels that comprise filter structures. The filter structures comprise filter features that filter a fluid. The fluid is processed by the filter device such that filtered fluid is output as well as a concentrate of particulate matter extracted from the fluid.