Endoskeleton Adsorbent Cartridge for Gas Filtration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing adsorbent cartridges for removing gaseous contaminants, such as CO2, require bulky external frames for structural support, leading to inefficient use of space, increased manufacturing costs, and potential safety hazards due to plastic exoskeletons, which are costly and environmentally unfriendly.

Innovation Solution

The development of an endoskeleton-based adsorbent cartridge system where adsorbent sheets are stacked and held together internally with minimal support, eliminating the need for an external frame, allowing for flexible shapes and reduced material costs, with the canister providing additional support for optimal sheet spacing and gas flow during use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If adsorbent sheets are stacked without external frames, then storage volume efficiency is improved and manufacturing cost is reduced, but structural support and sheet stability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage volume efficiencyVSAvoidstructural support
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The cartridge is segmented into multiple discrete adsorbent sheets stacked together, with each sheet being a self-supporting structure. This segmentation allows the sheets to be held together by minimal internal support (endoskeleton) rather than requiring a bulky external frame, thus improving storage volume efficiency while maintaining structural integrity through the distributed sheet structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using an external frame (exoskeleton) to support the adsorbent sheets from the outside, the invention inverts the support structure by placing minimal support elements (endoskeleton) inside the cartridge. This inversion eliminates the need for bulky external frames, improving storage volume efficiency and reducing manufacturing costs while the internal support maintains sheet stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Stability of the object's composition

If plastic exoskeleton containers are used to hold granular adsorbent, then structural integrity is improved, but material cost increases and safety hazards increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidsafety hazards
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces expensive, reusable plastic exoskeleton containers with disposable microporous adsorbent sheets that are self-supporting. The sheets are designed to be used once and then replaced, eliminating the need for durable plastic containers. This reduces material cost and eliminates safety hazards associated with plastic fuel containers, while the microporous structure provides sufficient structural integrity for the adsorbent material.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Ease of operation

If granular adsorbent is used in pre-packed containers, then ease of handling is improved, but dusting and flow channeling increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of handlingVSAvoiddusting
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses microporous adsorbent sheets instead of granular adsorbent. The microporous structure allows gas flow through the sheets while the continuous sheet format prevents dusting and settling problems associated with granular materials. The sheets maintain their structural integrity during handling, providing ease of operation without generating dust or flow channeling issues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

4Shape

If stacked adsorbent sheets are supported by external frame, then sheet spacing is maintained, but volumetric efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesheet spacingVSAvoidvolumetric efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention inverts the traditional support approach by placing minimal support elements (endoskeleton) inside the cartridge rather than using an external frame. This internal support structure maintains sheet spacing while occupying minimal volume, thus preserving volumetric efficiency. The sheets are designed to work together as a stacked assembly, requiring only minimal internal support rather than bulky external containment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 solution achieves efficient adsorption with minimal pressure drop and reduced manufacturing costs, while optimizing storage volume and safety by eliminating the need for external frames and reducing environmental impact.

Implementation Method 1

A carbon dioxide removal system maintains carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration at a safe level. Maintaining CO2 at safe levels can be accomplished by passing exhaled gases through a chemical adsorbent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

The cartridge is composed of fine adsorbent powder formed into a microporous sheet by thermally induced phase separation of polyethylene

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermally induced phase separation: Phase Change

Data Source

PatentEP2528677B1Adsorbent system for removal of gaseous contaminants
Publication Date: 2017.08.23 MICROPORE INC
  • EP2528677B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(d)
  • EP2528677B1 patent drawingFigure 1(e)
  • EP2528677B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

This invention relates to an adsorbent system, adsorbent cartridge, and external canister for removing gaseous contaminants from air or another gas.