Electrostatic Hydrophilic Filter for Low-Pressure Virus Capture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing airborne microbe/virus removal apparatuses face issues such as re-scattering of microbes and viruses due to electric field application and increased pressure loss due to multiple filter arrangements, leading to maintenance challenges and energy inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that involves charging airborne microorganisms using a high-voltage electrode and counter electrode, followed by capturing them with a polarized hydrophilic filter, and inactivating them using a second high-voltage electrode and counter electrode, with the filter being insulated to prevent scattering and maintain low pressure loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a high-voltage electrode is applied to capture microbes and viruses, then capture efficiency is improved, but microbes and viruses are re-scattered due to charge accumulation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapture efficiencyVSAvoidcapture stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The filter is pre-charged with electrostatic charge before operation to create an electrostatic field that captures charged microorganisms. This preliminary action ensures the filter maintains capture capability without requiring continuous high-voltage application during operation, thus preventing re-scattering while maintaining efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The high-voltage electrode operates periodically to charge microorganisms, while the filter maintains its electrostatic charge through periodic recharging or charge retention. This periodic operation allows capture efficiency to be maintained without continuous high-voltage application that would cause re-scattering

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Productivity

If multiple filters are arranged to maintain capture function, then capture performance is improved, but pressure loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapture performanceVSAvoidpressure loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The filter serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both a mechanical filtration medium and an electrostatic capture medium through pre-charging. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate filters for different capture mechanisms, reducing pressure loss while maintaining capture performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines mechanical filtration and electrostatic capture functions into a single filter assembly. The filter media is pre-charged to create electrostatic fields, merging what would traditionally require separate filters into one integrated component, thus reducing pressure loss

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If a filter is used to capture microbes and viruses, then capture efficiency is improved, but maintenance is required to prevent microbial growth

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapture efficiencyVSAvoidmaintenance requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The electrostatic charge that attracts and captures microorganisms is also used to inactivate them through plasma generation. The same mechanism that concentrates microbes onto the filter surface also destroys them, converting the potential harm of microbial accumulation into a beneficial inactivation process

Inventive Principle:

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses its own electrostatic field and plasma generation capability to inactivate captured microorganisms automatically. The filter and electrodes work together to both capture and destroy microbes, making the system self-maintaining without requiring external intervention for microbial growth prevention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 effectively captures and inactivates airborne microbes and viruses with low pressure loss, maintaining a clean state and high capture efficiency by using corona discharge and dielectric polarization, achieving a transient virus capture rate comparable to HEPA filters while matching the pressure loss of normal filters.

Implementation Method 1

a first high-voltage application electrode to be supplied with a voltage to charge airborne microorganisms introduced in the air path housing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCorona discharge: Corona Discharge

Implementation Method 2

a filter to capture the airborne microorganisms charged by the first high-voltage application electrode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDielectric polarization: Dielectric

Data Source

PatentUS9216233B2Apparatus and method for capture and inactivation of microbes and viruses

Publication Date: 2015.12.22 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP

AI summary

An apparatus 100 includes an air path housing 10, a charging-unit high-voltage electrode 2 to charge airborne microorganisms introduced in the air path housing 10, a charging-unit ground electrode 3 disposed so as to face the charging-unit high-voltage electrode 2, a hydrophilic filter 6 to capture the airborne microorganisms charged by the charging-unit high-voltage electrode 2, a capturing/inactivating-unit high-voltage electrode 5 to polarize the hydrophilic filter 6, and a capturing/inactivating-unit ground electrode 7 disposed so as to face the capturing/inactivating-unit high-voltage electrode 5.