Heated DES Filter Element for Gaseous Pollutant Trapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current air purification technologies using deep eutectic solvents (DES) face limitations in filter mass capacity due to congestion of reactive sites, leading to reduced effectiveness over time and the need for frequent filter renewal, which increases costs and does not provide complete purification of NOx and other gaseous pollutants.
Innovation Solution
A filtration element comprising a DES with a melting point greater than or equal to 45°C, immobilized on a solid support, is heated to its fusion point to regenerate its active surface, allowing for continuous pollutant trapping by renewing the reactive interface through controlled heating and cooling cycles, thereby extending the filter's lifespan and reducing pressure loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If deep eutectic solvent (DES) is used for chemisorption of gaseous pollutants, then pollutant trapping effectiveness is improved, but filter mass capacity is limited due to congestion of reactive sites over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the DES by heating it above its melting point (45°C or higher) to transition from solid to liquid phase. This phase change regenerates the reactive sites on the DES, allowing it to continue trapping pollutants effectively without replacement, thus resolving the contradiction between trapping effectiveness and filter lifespan
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic heating cycles to melt and regenerate the DES at specific intervals during operation. This periodic thermal treatment restores the reactive capacity of the DES, enabling continuous long-term use of the filter while maintaining high pollutant trapping effectiveness, thereby extending filter lifespan without sacrificing reliability
2Quantity of substance
If physical adsorption is used for pollutant trapping, then filter capacity is improved, but pollutant release risk increases due to competitive desorption by water and VOCs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the interaction mechanism from physical adsorption (weak Van der Waals forces) to chemisorption (strong covalent bonds) by using DES. This chemical bonding approach enables the filter to retain pollutants firmly even in the presence of competing substances like water and VOCs, preventing desorption and ensuring stable pollutant retention while maintaining high capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite system combining DES with a solid support material. The DES provides selective chemisorption sites for specific pollutants through its molecular structure, while the support material provides mechanical stability and surface area. This composite approach enhances both pollutant capacity and retention stability by preventing pollutant release that would occur with pure physical adsorption materials
3Quantity of substance
If filter material is heavily laden with pollutants, then initial trapping capacity is utilized, but competitive desorption by water and VOCs causes pollutant release into ambient air
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the binding strength parameter by using chemisorption with DES instead of physical adsorption. The strong covalent bonds formed between DES and pollutants prevent competitive desorption even when the filter is heavily loaded. This ensures that water and VOCs cannot displace adsorbed pollutants, eliminating the harmful effect of pollutant release into ambient air while maintaining high pollutant loading capacity
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
This approach significantly enhances the filtering capacity and lifespan of the filtration element, reduces costs by minimizing the need for frequent replacements, and ensures complete purification of pollutants like NOx, aldehydes, and ketones, while maintaining low pressure loss for efficient air circulation.
Implementation Method 1
A filtration element comprising a DES with a melting point greater than or equal to 45°C, immobilized on a solid support, is heated to its fusion point to regenerate its active surface
Implementation Method 2
The chemisorption technique relies on the formation of a strong covalent or ionic bond between the pollutant and the filter material
Implementation Method 3
Physical adsorption involves circulating the gas to be purified over a filter material where it is adsorbed through weak Van der Waals or hydrogen bonds
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a filter element used for trapping one or more gaseous pollutants chosen in particular from NOx, SO2, aldehydes and ketones, the filter element comprising at least one DES having a melting point greater than or equal to 45°C, in particular greater than 60°C, and a solid substrate on which the DES has been immobilised, with the element being configured to heat the DES to a temperature at which it can be melted.