Fiber Bundle Filter with Grooved Surface for High Porosity Biofilters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fillers for biofilters and biological contact oxidation devices have smaller specific surface areas and lower porosity, leading to clogged filter layers and reduced pollutant load capacity.
Innovation Solution
A fiber bundle with a rough or grooved outer surface and noncircular cross-section is used to increase the specific surface area, enhancing the bearing capacity of microorganisms and retaining more biomass, thereby forming a filter layer with improved pollutant and hydraulic load handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If granular or nubby fillers (ceramsites, volcanic rocks, light plastic particles, polyurethane sponges) are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the specific surface area is small and porosity is low, leading to filter layer clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs fiber bundles with inherently porous structures formed by bundled fibers, creating interconnected void spaces that provide high porosity (typically 80-95%) and large specific surface area. The porous structure is achieved through the natural arrangement of individual fibers within bundles, eliminating the need for complex artificial porosity creation while maintaining high microorganism bearing capacity and preventing filter layer clogging.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional granular (0D) or nubby (1D surface features) fillers to structured fiber bundles (1D linear structures arranged in 3D configurations). This dimensional change creates a network of channels and surfaces that simultaneously increase specific surface area and maintain open porosity, allowing fluid flow while providing extensive attachment areas for microorganisms.
2Productivity
If granular or nubby fillers are used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the filter layer clogs easily and pollutant volume load capacity is low
Solution Approach 1:
The fiber bundle structure provides a three-dimensional porous network with high porosity (80-95%) that maintains open channels for fluid flow while providing extensive surface area for microorganism attachment. This porous architecture prevents filter layer clogging by allowing continuous fluid passage while supporting high pollutant load capacities through the large available surface area for biological film formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite fiber bundle structures combining different fiber materials (such as synthetic fibers like polypropylene or polyester with natural fibers) to optimize both mechanical strength and porosity characteristics. This composite approach enhances the structural integrity of the filter layer while maintaining high pollutant load capacity and resistance to clogging through synergistic material properties.
3Quantity of substance
If traditional granular fillers are used, then the device structure is simple, but the microorganism bearing capacity is low and hydraulic load handling is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The fiber bundle structure creates a highly porous three-dimensional matrix with porosity ranging from 80-95%, providing extensive void spaces and surface areas for microorganism attachment and growth. This porous architecture naturally increases the quantity of microorganisms that can be supported per unit volume compared to dense granular fillers, achieving high microorganism bearing capacity through the inherent void structure of bundled fibers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the filler material into individual fiber bundles rather than using monolithic granular structures. Each fiber bundle consists of multiple individual fibers that create numerous small-scale pores and surfaces, collectively providing vast attachment areas for microorganisms. This segmentation approach dramatically increases the effective surface area available for biofilm formation and microorganism hosting.
Data Source
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AI summary
A fiber bundle for bearing microorganisms. Fiber filaments are wound into a ring shape or have two ends bound into a bundle, or wires, ropes or bands made of staple fibers or fiber filaments are wound into a ring shape or have two ends bound into a bundle or are woven into a strip. A filter layer formed by fiber bundles for bearing microorganisms is characterized in large specific surface area and high porosity, and the unit capacity of bearing the microorganisms may be several times that of a granular filter material.