Electrokinetic Sorbent Structure for Continuous Fluid Separation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current adsorption systems are bulky, energy consumptive, and mechanically complex, with high material intensity and greenhouse gas contributions, and they struggle with reducing cycle times, eliminating moving parts, and achieving efficient separation and purification of mixtures, especially in portable and mobile applications.
Innovation Solution
The development of a non-mechanically cycled, electrokinetic sorption system that uses a sorbent structure with an electrokinetic biaser to continuously separate and purify components, allowing for efficient desorption and re-adsorption without large quantities of sorbent or moving parts, relying on minimal externally supplied desorption energy and scalable for small-scale applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional adsorption systems use large quantities of sorbent material in separate vessels, then adsorption capacity increases, but device complexity and mechanical complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate vessels containing sorbent material into a single integrated structure with multiple sorbent layers. This merging eliminates the need for complex mechanical valving and switching mechanisms required in traditional multi-vessel systems, while maintaining the adsorption capacity through the combined sorbent layers working in sequence
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the sorbent material into multiple distinct layers within a single vessel, each layer serving specific adsorption functions. This segmentation allows different sorbent types to be optimized for different components of the mixture being separated, achieving high adsorption capacity without requiring multiple separate vessels and their associated mechanical complexity
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional systems use pressure swing or temperature swing adsorption with separate vessels, then separation efficiency improves, but energy consumption and mechanical complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical pressure swing or temperature swing mechanisms with an electrokinetic system. Electric fields are applied to the sorbent layers to control the desorption and re-adsorption processes, eliminating the need for complex mechanical valves, pumps, and heating/cooling systems while maintaining separation efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameter from mechanical pressure/temperature cycling to electrical field application. By controlling the electrokinetic movement of ions and molecules through applied electric potentials, the system achieves efficient separation with lower overall energy consumption compared to thermal or mechanical cycling methods
3Loss of time
If conventional adsorption systems use mechanical valving and purging mechanisms, then cycle time control improves, but device complexity and reliability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical valving and purging mechanisms with electrokinetic control. Electric fields are used to precisely control the timing and progression of adsorption and desorption cycles across different sorbent layers, eliminating moving parts that can fail and improving system reliability while maintaining precise cycle time control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control of the adsorption-desorption process through variable electric field application. The electrokinetic system can rapidly adjust field strength and distribution across different sorbent layers, enabling precise cycle time control without the mechanical inertia and response delays inherent in mechanical valve systems
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
This system achieves efficient, continuous, and scalable separation and purification with reduced energy consumption and material usage, eliminating the need for mechanical valving and purging, and is suitable for portable and mobile applications.
Implementation Method 1
uses electric fields and electric currents to effect desorption and electrokinetically biasing desorbed materials
Implementation Method 2
Adsorption is a process by which a gas, liquid, or dissolved material is assimilated onto the surface of a solid or liquid material
Implementation Method 3
heating a dielectric or conductive sorbent
Implementation Method 4
heating a dielectric or conductive sorbent
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method of separating components of a fluid mixture comprising the steps of providing a fluid, providing a sorbent structure (120), sorbing a first component of the fluid, desorbing the first component, and electrokinetically biasing the first component in a direction other than the vector of the fluid mixture.