Fired Developer Water Purification Agent for Iron Ion Elution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Used two-component developers containing degraded carriers are treated as industrial waste, necessitating a method for reuse and conversion into a water purification agent that can elute divalent iron ions to improve water quality.

Innovation Solution

A water purification agent is produced by firing a two-component developer at 500°C or higher, forming iron ion-eluting particles with a magnetic particle core, a carbon layer, and silica particles, which can elute divalent iron ions into water, adsorb harmful heavy metal ions, and improve water quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of stationary object

If a two-component developer is used for a long period of time, then the carrier degrades due to contamination and wear, but the carrier must be replaced with a new carrier, resulting in waste

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecarrier usage periodVSAvoidcarrier degradation and waste

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent recovers and reuses the degraded carrier from used two-component developers by transforming it into a water purification agent through firing treatment. The carrier particles, after serving their original purpose, are not discarded as waste but are recovered and converted into a new functional product with water purification capabilities, thereby eliminating waste and creating additional value from the degraded material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful degradation products and contaminated carrier particles into a beneficial water purification agent. The degraded carrier, which would normally be disposed of as waste, is transformed through firing into a material that can purify water by removing heavy metals and improving water quality, thus converting a harmful waste stream into a beneficial resource.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Reliability

If the carrier is replaced with a new carrier, then the developing performance is restored, but industrial waste is generated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeveloping performanceVSAvoidindustrial waste

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of discarding the degraded carrier as industrial waste, the patent recovers it and transforms it into a water purification agent. This recovery process eliminates the generation of industrial waste while the original developing performance is restored through the creation of a new functional product with dual purposes: water purification and potential reuse in developing applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a multi-functional material that serves both as a water purification agent and maintains compatibility with electrophotographic developing systems. The fired carrier particles can be used for water purification while also potentially serving as carriers in new two-component developers, thus achieving universal application and eliminating waste generation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If silica particles are added to the water purification agent, then heavy metal ion adsorption is improved, but the production process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheavy metal ion adsorptionVSAvoidproduction process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the water purification function with heavy metal adsorption capability by incorporating silica particles into the fired carrier structure. The silica particles are integrated during the firing process, creating a composite material that simultaneously provides water purification through iron ion elution and heavy metal removal through silica adsorption, thereby achieving multiple functions in a single production process rather than separate treatment steps.

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 water purification agent effectively elutes divalent iron ions, improves water quality by activating algae and phytoplankton, prevents eutrophication, and adsorbs harmful metals, while being produced from recycled materials.

Implementation Method 1

a water purification agent containing iron ion-eluting particles... which can elute divalent iron ions into water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIon elution: Ion Exchange

Implementation Method 2

the water purification agent of the disclosure contains silica particles, and therefore harmful heavy metal ions can be adsorbed on the silica particles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 3

the production method including a step of firing a two-component developer at a temperature of 500° C. or higher

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal treatment: Heat Treatment

Data Source

PatentUS20260022033A1Water purification agent and method for producing same

Publication Date: 2026.01.22 SHARP KK

AI summary

The disclosure provides a water purification agent that can be produced from a two-component developer and can elute divalent iron ions into water. The water purification agent of the disclosure is characterized by having a plurality of iron ion-eluting particles, each including a magnetic particle containing iron, a carbon layer adhered to the surface of the magnetic particle, and silica particles adhered to the surface of the magnetic particle or the carbon layer.