Fe(III)-PEI Coated Adsorbent for Low-ppm Vapor Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in effectively adsorbing low concentrations of unwanted or target substances from gas or vapor phases, especially at low partial pressures, due to energetic and surface-related issues, including the presence of residual charges and structural flaws in adsorbent materials.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising a ferric (Fe(III)) compound and polyethylenimine (PEI) is used, which can be applied as a coating or integrated into thermoplastic materials, enhancing adsorbency by reducing charge effects and increasing surface area, thereby improving adsorption in both static and dynamic conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional adsorbent materials are used, then adsorption capacity is sufficient for high concentrations, but adsorption efficiency deteriorates at low concentrations due to energetic and surface effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the adsorbent surface by introducing specific functional groups (amino, carboxyl, hydroxyl) and controlling surface charge density. This modifies the adsorption energetics to enhance affinity for target substances at low concentrations while maintaining capacity at higher concentrations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite adsorbent materials combining multiple components with complementary properties. The composite structure integrates materials with different surface characteristics to simultaneously achieve high adsorption capacity and high efficiency at low concentrations by addressing both quantity and quality of adsorption.
2Reliability
If adsorbent surface area is increased to improve low concentration adsorption, then adsorption efficiency improves, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs porous adsorbent materials with controlled pore size distributions that provide high internal surface area without requiring complex external structures. The porosity is engineered during material synthesis to create accessible pores that enhance adsorption efficiency at low concentrations while maintaining manufacturability through established porous material fabrication techniques.
3Quantity of substance
If static adsorption conditions are used, then adsorption capacity is maximized, but productivity decreases due to lack of flow
Solution Approach 1:
The invention designs adsorbents with dynamic surface properties that adapt to flow conditions. The surface functional groups and charge distribution are engineered to maintain strong adsorption affinity during dynamic flow, allowing the system to achieve both high capacity and high productivity by operating effectively under continuous flow conditions rather than static conditions.
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 combination of Fe(III) compounds and PEI effectively removes unwanted substances at concentrations as low as 15 ppm, even in dynamic conditions with short contact times, significantly reducing malodors and other offensive vapors to undetectable levels.
Implementation Method 1
Adsorption occurs when a solid surface is exposed to and accepts or bonds to one or more unwanted or target substance (undesired molecules) in a fluid (gas or liquid droplets) in an area of the interface between the fluid and the solid
Implementation Method 2
The adsorption (a surface process) process is accompanied by absorption, i.e. the penetration of the gas or liquid into the solid phase
Data Source
AI summary
Compositions that can be used to adsorb low concentration, of unwanted or target substances from a dynamic fluid stream or from an enclosed static vapor phase. Such adsorbency can be obtained with thermoplastic materials used in the form of bulk polymer or a film, fiber, web, woven fabric, non-woven fabric, sheet, packaging and other such structures including or surrounding the enclosed volume. The concentration should be reduced to non-offensive sensed limits or a limit that does not produce a biological response.