Elastomeric Depth Filter for Reusable Water Filtration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional water filtration systems face challenges in combining the ease of cleaning and dimensional strength of surface filters with the long-term use capabilities of depth filters, as surface filters become fouled and require replacement rather than reuse due to the difficulty in removing retained particulates from nonwoven depth filters.
Innovation Solution
A filter medium comprising an elastomeric nonwoven web laminated to structural support layers, which allows for depth filtration and flexibility to be backwashed for reuse, featuring elastomeric fibers with a mean flow pore size of less than 15 microns and structural support layers with larger pore sizes, enabling effective particulate removal and regeneration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If nonwoven depth filters are used to provide depth filtration capabilities, then longer term use is achieved, but difficulty in removing retained particulates increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by utilizing the elastomeric properties of the nonwoven material, which allows the pore structure to dynamically expand and contract. During backwashing, the material's elastic parameters change to allow larger pore openings that facilitate removal of retained particulates, while during normal operation, the material maintains its depth filtration structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric nonwoven material exhibits dynamic behavior where the pore geometry can change between a contracted state during filtration (providing depth filtration) and an expanded state during backwashing (allowing particle removal). This dynamic transformation enables the material to serve multiple functions throughout its operational cycle.
2Ease of operation
If woven surface filters are used to provide ease of cleaning, then ease of operation is improved, but depth filtration capabilities are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite filtration system that combines the depth filtration capabilities of nonwoven materials with the surface filtration and ease of cleaning characteristics of woven materials. The elastomeric nonwoven layer provides depth filtration and particle capture, while the woven support layer provides structural integrity and facilitates backwashing, creating a composite material that exhibits both depth and surface filtration properties.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If nonwoven materials are used to provide depth filtration, then longer term use is achieved, but dimensional stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines elastomeric nonwoven material with a woven support layer to create a composite structure where the woven layer provides dimensional stability and structural framework, while the elastomeric nonwoven layer provides depth filtration capabilities. The woven support prevents the nonwoven material from excessive deformation while allowing the elastomeric properties to function during backwashing.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric nonwoven material acts as a flexible filtration layer that can dynamically change its pore structure during operation and backwashing. The flexibility of this thin film-like structure allows it to expand and contract without compromising the overall dimensional stability provided by the woven support layer.
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 elastomeric nonwoven web filter medium provides a combination of surface and depth filtration capabilities, allowing for efficient particulate capture and regeneration, extending the filter's lifespan and enabling reuse, while maintaining dimensional stability and ease of cleaning.
Implementation Method 1
depth filters generally provide for longer term use, as depth filters often can retain larger quantities of particulate matter than surface filters
Implementation Method 2
The pores of a nonwoven material are not planar and create a tortuous path within the material that can allow particulates to be effectively retained within the structure
Implementation Method 3
the elastomeric nonwoven web can exhibit depth filtration capabilities and also has sufficient flexibility to allow the web to be backwashed to remove captured particulates
Data Source
Figure 1A~2
Figure 3~5B
Figure 6~7
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a depth filter medium comprising at least one elastomeric nonwoven web strengthened by combination with one or more structural support layers. The resulting material is particularly useful in the field of filtration, wherein particulates captured within the elastomeric nonwoven web can be readily released, such as by applying pressure to the web through backwashing. The elastomeric nonwoven web advantageously can stretch under such pressure and return substantially to its original structure and shape upon the removal of the pressure, rendering the filter available for reuse.