Hydrophobic Sintered Filter for Continuous Hydrocarbon Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for removing hydrocarbons from water, such as mechanical and physico-chemical approaches, are ineffective and costly, especially under extreme conditions, and often require large volumes and lengthy separation times, with limitations in continuous operation and high chemical usage.
Innovation Solution
A process utilizing a sintered porous filter surface-treated with a hydrophobic product, such as polysiloxane, to facilitate selective permeation of hydrocarbons, allowing for continuous and efficient separation without additional chemicals, using a sintered metal alloy filter with a hollow structure for hydrocarbon collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical methods (booms, skimmers, gravity separation) are used to remove hydrocarbons from water, then separation can be achieved, but the process requires large volumes and lengthy separation times, and is ineffective under extreme conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a sintered porous filter made of metal alloy with controlled pore size and distribution. The porous structure enables selective permeation where hydrocarbons pass through the pores while water is retained, achieving rapid separation that is effective even under extreme conditions such as cold temperatures and high turbulence where traditional mechanical methods fail.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the surface properties of the filter by applying a hydrophobic coating (such as polysiloxane or fluorinated compounds) to the porous metal alloy. This parameter change in surface energy creates superhydrophobicity, enhancing the selective permeation effect and enabling continuous operation with high flow rates regardless of extreme environmental conditions.
2Reliability
If physico-chemical methods (solidifying agents, gelling agents, demulsifying agents) are used, then crude oil can be separated from water, but huge quantities of chemical agents are required
Solution Approach 1:
The sintered porous filter with hydrophobic coating performs separation based on inherent physical properties (porosity, surface energy, hydrophobicity) without requiring external chemical agents. The filter structure itself provides the separation mechanism, eliminating the need for huge quantities of solidifying, gelling, or demulsifying agents while maintaining high separation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces physico-chemical methods (which rely on chemical reactions and agent-substrate interactions) with a physical filtration mechanism based on selective permeation through a engineered porous structure. This substitution eliminates chemical consumption while achieving reliable separation.
3Ease of operation
If absorbing materials (hydrophobized SiO2 aerogels, zeolites, organo-clays) are used to facilitate crude oil passage from liquid to solid phase, then recovery is easier, but the materials have limited absorption capacity and require replacement or regeneration
Solution Approach 1:
The sintered porous filter enables continuous operation by allowing hydrocarbons to pass through the porous structure and be collected on the other side, rather than becoming saturated with absorbed material. The filter can operate continuously with high flow rates, and when needed, the accumulated hydrocarbons can be removed by back-washing with a suitable solvent that passes through the filter and dissolves the deposited hydrocarbons, restoring the filter to its initial state.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a recovery system where hydrocarbons accumulated on the filter are periodically removed by back-washing with a solvent. The solvent passes through the filter, dissolves the deposited hydrocarbons, and carries them away, thereby regenerating the filter's absorption capacity without requiring replacement of the filter material itself.
4Reliability
If coalescent filters are used to separate aqueous and hydrocarbon phases, then emulsions can be broken, but the system is not suitable for large quantities of hydrocarbons spilled over huge volumes of water
Solution Approach 1:
The sintered porous filter with hydrophobic coating provides universal separation capability that works for both emulsified and non-emulsified hydrocarbon-water mixtures. The selective permeation mechanism based on pore size and surface energy is effective regardless of whether the hydrocarbons are in emulsion form or as free-phase spills, making it suitable for both contained emulsion treatment and large-scale spill response over huge volumes of water.
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 process achieves efficient and continuous removal of hydrocarbons from water with high flow rates and low water content, maintaining selectivity and efficiency over time, even in challenging conditions like seawater, and can be maintained through periodic back-washing to restore initial flow rates.
Implementation Method 1
a process for the removal of hydrocarbons from a body of water by means of selective permeation
Implementation Method 2
a sintered porous filter surface-treated with a hydrophobic product, such as polysiloxane
Implementation Method 3
a sintered metal alloy filter with a hollow structure for hydrocarbon collection
Implementation Method 4
can be maintained through periodic back-washing to restore initial flow rates
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
Process for removing hydrocarbons from a body of water wherein the hydrocarbons are separated from the aqueous phase by selective permeation through a sintered porous filter surface-treated with at least one hydrophobic product, so as to collect the hydrocarbons and remove them from the water without using additional chemical products or products capable of absorbing the.hydrocarbons. This allows the body of water to be remediated and at the same time recover the hydrocarbons spilled in a clean and substantially continuous manner. The filter preferably consists of a sintered inorganic material, such as for example a metallic material, a vitreous material, a ceramic material.