Electrostatic Sieves for Microplastic Removal from Water

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Solution Overview

Problem

Standard water treatment facilities are unable to efficiently remove microplastics from water, which poses a risk to ecosystems and human health.

Innovation Solution

The process involves vaporizing water droplets containing microplastics using a first electrically charged metal sieve, and then passing the vapor through a second electrically charged metal sieve, where the microplastics are statically charged and removed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If standard water treatment facilities are used, then the treatment process is simple and easily implemented, but microplastics cannot be efficiently removed from water

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicroplastic removal efficiencyVSAvoidtreatment facility complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical filtration systems with an electrostatic charging system. Water droplets are charged as they pass through a corona discharge zone, and microplastics are removed via electrostatic attraction to oppositely charged plates, substituting mechanical force with electrical force for particle separation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the electrical charge parameter of water droplets by passing them through a corona discharge zone. This parameter change enables electrostatic separation of microplastics from water, achieving high removal efficiency without complex mechanical filtration systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If electrically charged metal sieves are used to remove microplastics, then microplastic removal efficiency is significantly improved, but energy consumption increases due to vaporization and electrical charging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicroplastic removal efficiencyVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential function of microplastic removal from the complex process of complete water vaporization. Instead of vaporizing water, it charges water droplets electrostatically and removes microplastics via electrostatic attraction, eliminating the high energy cost of phase change while maintaining effective separation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the naturally occurring static charge on microplastic surfaces, which typically causes them to adhere to pipes and equipment, into a beneficial property. By applying controlled electrostatic charging to water droplets, the microplastics are attracted to collection plates, transforming a problematic adhesive property into an useful separation mechanism

Inventive Principle:

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

3Measurement precision

If microplastics are removed by static charging on metal sieves, then smaller microplastic particles can be effectively captured, but the sieves require frequent replacement and maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicroplastic particle size detectionVSAvoidsieve maintenance and replacement

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs disposable, inexpensive collection plates that can be easily replaced rather than maintaining complex, expensive metal sieves. The collection plates are simple components that accumulate charged microplastics and can be quickly swapped out, eliminating the need for frequent sieve replacement and reducing maintenance complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 method effectively removes microplastics from water, including smaller particles, by utilizing static charges to trap them on the metal sieves, which can be easily replaced and recycled.

Implementation Method 1

passing water droplets through a first electrically charged metal sieve

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic charge: Electrostatics

Implementation Method 2

the microplastics stick to the metal sieve due to static forces

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic attraction: Electrostatic Deposition

Implementation Method 3

vaporizing the water by passing water droplets through a first electrically charged metal sieve

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVaporization: Evaporation

Implementation Method 4

passing the vaporized water through a second electrically charged metal sieve

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Data Source

PatentEP4501864A1Process for removing microplastics from water and device for carrying out the same

Publication Date: 2025.02.05 ROUSE CHARLES GEORGE

Figure 1

AI summary

The present invention relates to a process for the removal of microplastics from water as well as a device for carrying out the inventive process. In the process of the invention the water droplets are generated by passing a high-pressure water steam through at least one non-metal sieve (1). The microplastics are then removed by first vaporizing the water droplets when passing them through a first electrically charged metal sieve (2) and then the vaporized water is passed through a second electrically charged metal sieve (3). The steam, after passing through the second sieve is directed to a distillery device (4) for cooling.