Ethylene Absorption Filter With Hydrophobic Coating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional ethylene absorption filters in refrigerated spaces suffer from staining and corrosion due to permanganate dissolution in condensation water, leading to purple discoloration and corrosion issues, which existing solutions fail to adequately address without compromising filter effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

A stiff perforated tubular body with elongate holes, where the smallest dimension is ≤1.5 mm and the largest dimension is ≥45% greater, is combined with a mesh cover to minimize water passage while maintaining effective air filtration, using a granulate of porous substrates impregnated with permanganate.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional ethylene absorption filter with permanganate impregnated granulate is used in refrigerated spaces, then ethylene gas absorption is effective, but staining and corrosion occur due to permanganate dissolution in condensation water

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveethylene gas absorption effectivenessVSAvoidstaining and corrosion from permanganate dissolution

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A hydrophobic coating is applied to the granulate particles, acting as an intermediary layer that prevents condensation water from contacting the permanganate while allowing ethylene gas to pass through and be absorbed. This mediator layer solves the contradiction by blocking the harmful water-permanganate interaction while preserving the useful gas absorption function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The filter utilizes porous granulate materials (such as activated carbon or zeolite) that provide high surface area for ethylene adsorption while the porous structure, when combined with hydrophobic coating, allows selective passage of gas molecules while blocking liquid water, thus maintaining absorption effectiveness while preventing staining and corrosion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

2Productivity

If the mesh cover holes are made larger to improve air passage and filter efficiency, then ethylene absorption efficiency increases, but water passage through the filter increases, leading to more staining and corrosion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair passage and filter efficiencyVSAvoidwater passage causing staining and corrosion

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The hydrophobic coating is applied locally to the surface of each granulate particle, creating a localized water-repellent property that allows the mesh holes to remain large for efficient air passage while preventing water from penetrating through the granulate layer, thus resolving the contradiction between air flow efficiency and water blocking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The contact angle of the granulate surface is changed by applying hydrophobic coating, transforming the surface from hydrophilic to hydrophobic. This parameter change allows the filter to pass air efficiently through large mesh holes while blocking water, as the hydrophobic surface prevents water adhesion and penetration even through larger openings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Significantly reduces staining and corrosion effects while maintaining filter effectiveness by controlling water passage through the filter, preventing purple discoloration and corrosion, and ensuring efficient ethylene gas absorption.

Implementation Method 1

ethylene absorption filter... made up of support means and a filtration material supported by the support means. The filtration material is usually a granulate consisting of clays (zeolite, sepiolite, alumina, diatomaceous stone, etc.), impregnated with potassium permanganate or sodium permanganate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical filtration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 3

The granulate is covered with a hydrophobic coating... when the permanganate comes into contact with the drops of water of condensation, the permanganate dissolves in the water... said drops get stained and turn a violet color... The hydrophobic coating prevents this contact

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrophobic effect: Hydrophobe

Data Source

PatentEP2772291B1Ethylene absorption filter for refrigerated spaces

Publication Date: 2018.02.28 OZEANO URDINA

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AI summary

The present invention relates to an ethylene absorption filter for refrigerated spaces, comprising an inner granulate (2), a perforated tubular body (3) and a mesh cover (4), the perforated tubular body (3) being stiff and being provided with a distribution of holes (5) having an elongate form, the smallest dimension of said holes (5) being equal to or less than 1.5 mm and the largest dimension thereof being at least 45% greater than the smallest dimension.