Dual-Layer Process-Fluid Purification for COV/SOV Adsorption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dehumidifying plants fail to effectively adsorb volatile organic compounds (COVs) and volatile organic solvents (SOVs) released by plastics during the dehumidification process, posing a risk of contamination, particularly in the production of food packaging using recycled materials.

Innovation Solution

A purifying device with a cylindrical body comprising an external filtering layer made of paper or polyester and an internal layer of active carbon-based extruded elements, designed to adsorb COVs/SOVs, equipped with saturation and vacuum sensors for efficient maintenance and replacement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a filtering device made of paper or fabric is used to filter powder from plastics, then mechanical members are protected from damage, but the device cannot adsorb COVs and SOVs released by the plastics

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCOV/SOV contaminationVSAvoidfiltering device effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines paper or fabric filtering material with active carbon adsorbent material in a single composite filter element. The paper/fabric component captures particulate powder while the integrated active carbon component adsorbs COVs and SOVs, resolving the contradiction by making the filtering device effective for both particle filtration and volatile compound adsorption simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the filtering device is replaced regularly to ensure purification efficiency, then COV/SOV adsorption is maintained, but maintenance time and downtime increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCOV/SOV contaminationVSAvoidmaintenance downtime
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates saturation sensors that continuously monitor the adsorption capacity of the active carbon material and provide feedback on the filter's saturation level. This allows for condition-based maintenance scheduling, replacing the filter only when actual saturation is detected rather than following a fixed schedule, thereby minimizing unnecessary downtime while ensuring purification efficiency is maintained

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 device effectively adsorbs COVs/SOVs, ensuring odourless plastics production and reducing contamination risks, with efficient maintenance that minimizes downtime and enhances purification efficiency based on actual need, suitable for existing dehumidifying plants.

Implementation Method 1

an internal layer (8) made of an adsorbent material (8a), in particular active carbon-based

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

The second layer (8) is on the other hand made of an adsorbent material (8a), according to the invention active carbon based, to eliminate by adsorption the substances that are harmful for health

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectActivated Carbon: Activated Carbon

Implementation Method 3

The first layer (7) is made of filtering material (7a), for example paper (Figures 2-6, 8-9), and/or polyester (Figures 10 and 11)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP3899393B1Device for purifying a process fluid and dehumidifying plant including such a device
Publication Date: 2025.10.22 PIOVAN
  • EP3899393B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3899393B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3899393B1 patent drawingFigure 3~10

AI summary

A purifying device (6) for purifying a process fluid that flows in a dehumidifying plant (1) for dehumidifying plastics comprises a first layer (7) configured for filtering the process fluid, and a second layer (8) configured for reducing, by adsorption, substances that are harmful for health, in particular COV/SOV, which are present in the process fluid.