Filter Device with Segmented Glass Bead Sections

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Solution Overview

Problem

Filter devices used for removing pollutants from liquids often exhibit high flow resistance, leading to reduced filter performance and increased costs.

Innovation Solution

A filter device with distinct sections: an inlet section filled with large glass beads, an adsorption section containing a mixture of glass beads and adsorption granules, and an outlet section filled with large glass beads, which allows for efficient pollutant adsorption while minimizing flow resistance through optimized granule size distribution and section design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If filter devices use adsorption granules to remove pollutants from liquids, then adsorption capacity is improved, but flow resistance increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadsorption capacityVSAvoidflow resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter device is divided into multiple sections: a first section with glass beads only, a second section with the mixture of glass beads and adsorption granules, and a third section with glass beads only. This segmentation allows the adsorption function to be isolated to the second section while the first and third sections provide low-resistance flow paths, thus resolving the contradiction between adsorption capacity and flow resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections of the filter device have different compositions tailored to their specific functions. The first and third sections contain only glass beads optimized for flow distribution and collection, while the second section contains the adsorption granule mixture optimized for pollutant removal. This local differentiation allows each section to excel at its specific task without compromising overall performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If filter devices use a mixture of glass beads and adsorption granules in the adsorption section, then pollutant removal efficiency is improved, but flow distribution uniformity worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepollutant removal efficiencyVSAvoidflow distribution uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Glass beads serve as an intermediary material in the second section, mixed with adsorption granules. The glass beads create a supportive matrix that maintains uniform flow distribution while allowing adsorption granules to be distributed throughout. This intermediary material prevents the adsorption granules from creating flow channels or clogging points, thus maintaining flow uniformity while enabling efficient pollutant removal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If filter devices use small granules in the adsorption section, then adsorption surface area is improved, but flow resistance increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadsorption surface areaVSAvoidflow resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges two materials with complementary properties in the second section: glass beads that provide low flow resistance and maintain structural integrity, and adsorption granules that provide high surface area for pollutant removal. The combination creates a synergistic effect where the glass beads prevent the adsorption granules from creating excessive flow resistance while still allowing the adsorption granules to provide sufficient surface area for effective pollutant removal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 design enhances flow distribution and adsorption capacity, reducing flow resistance and improving the thoroughness of the cleaning process while maintaining low operational costs.

Implementation Method 1

the pollutants can be adsorbed by the granules

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentEP3535042B1Filter device
Publication Date: 2024.04.24 NIEDERER SCHNEIDER AG
  • EP3535042B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3535042B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a filter device comprising an inlet (6) and an outlet (7). An adsorption section (10) is positioned along the flow path between an inlet section (12) and an outlet section (13), and is filled with glass beads (14) of a predetermined nominal diameter as well as an adsorption granulate (15) mixed with said glass beads (14). The inlet section (12) and outlet section (13) are filled with glass beads (16, 17) with a nominal diameter preferably at least as big as the nominal diameter of the glass beads (14) of said adsorption section (10).