Filter Cartridge Radial Flow Segmentation for Low Resistance Desalination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Generic filter cartridges in technical circuits cause high flow resistance and require powerful pumps due to the need for complete water passage through the filter volume during system filling, leading to increased system pressure resistance.

Innovation Solution

A filter cartridge with a cylindrical housing filled partially with non-water-soluble filter granulate, allowing water to flow through slots and bridging openings that reduce overall flow resistance while maintaining effective desalination, with the granulate being partially filled to prevent obstruction and facilitate stirring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If water is passed completely through the filter volume of the filter cartridge during system filling, then complete desalination is achieved, but flow resistance increases significantly requiring powerful pumps and high pressure resistance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomplete desalinationVSAvoidflow resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The filter cartridge is divided into multiple filter elements arranged in parallel within the housing. Each filter element contains filter granulate for desalination. By segmenting the filter volume into multiple parallel pathways, water can be desalinated effectively while reducing the flow resistance compared to a single large filter volume, as the flow is distributed across multiple elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a radial flow dimension by arranging filter elements circumferentially around a central axis. Water enters through the central inflow line and flows radially outward through multiple filter elements, then collects in an annular outflow channel. This dimensional arrangement creates parallel flow paths that reduce overall flow resistance while maintaining complete desalination across all filter elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If filter granulate is packed densely to maximize filter volume utilization, then desalination efficiency improves, but flow resistance increases and slots may become obstructed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesalination efficiencyVSAvoidflow resistance and slot obstruction
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The filter granulate is specified with particular physical properties: particle size of 0.3-1.2 mm, density of 0.6-0.8 g/cm³, and porosity of 0.35-0.45 cm³/cm³. These localized quality parameters optimize the balance between desalination efficiency and flow resistance. The specific porosity range ensures sufficient void space for water flow while maintaining adequate contact between water and granulate surface for effective ion exchange.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The filter granulate is designed with controlled porosity (0.35-0.45 cm³/cm³) to create a porous structure that allows water to permeate effectively while maintaining mechanical stability. The porous nature of the granulate provides numerous internal surfaces for ion exchange reactions, enhancing desalination efficiency without requiring dense packing that would increase flow resistance or block the slots.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

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 solution maintains low flow resistance while ensuring complete desalination of water within a few days, allowing for efficient operation without the need for powerful pumps and reducing system pressure resistance.

Implementation Method 1

The filter granulate (15) can consist entirely or partially of an ion exchange resin and is just so coarse-grained that it cannot escape through the slots (10)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIon exchange: Ion Exchange

Data Source

PatentEP2777794B1Filter cartridge and filter device
Publication Date: 2018.08.29 ELYSATOR GENOSSENSCHAFT
  • EP2777794B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The filter cartridge (5) has a housing that is provided with the filter granules (15) filled in filter volume. A circumferential side wall (8) is formed around the filter granules. A transverse wall is arranged to close the filter volume at an inflow region, and another transverse wall is provided to close the filter volume at a drain region. A connecting element (12) is formed at outer side of the cartridge portion, and is connected with an outflow opening (13) through a bypass opening (14). An independent claim is included for filter device.