Ion Removal System Fine Bubble Adsorption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ion removal systems for hard water do not effectively enhance the removal of metal ions using fine bubbles, leaving room for improvement in their efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The ion removal system employs a configuration that includes a hard water flow path, a batch treatment tank, an electrolysis device, fine bubble generation devices, and a separation device, where fine bubbles are used to adsorb and crystallize metal ions, enhancing their removal from hard water.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional fine bubble generation means is used in hard water storage unit, then metal ions are removed from hard water, but removing effect of metal ions is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemetal ion removal efficiencyVSAvoidremoval effect sufficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical parameters of bubbles from conventional large bubbles to fine bubbles with diameter of 100 μm or less, and further to ultrafine bubbles with diameter of 1 μm or less. This parameter change in bubble size dramatically increases the surface area for adsorption, thereby improving metal ion removal efficiency while ensuring sufficient removal effect

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from conventional bubble generation to fine bubble and ultrafine bubble generation, representing a dimensional change in the scale of bubbles. This dimensional transition from millimeter/micrometer scale to sub-micrometer/nanometer scale enables significantly enhanced adsorption capacity and removal effectiveness for metal ions

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

2Reliability

If fine bubbles are used to adsorb metal ions, then metal ion removal is achieved, but there is room for improvement in enhancing removing effect

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveremoval effectVSAvoidremoval efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical bubble generation methods with specialized fine bubble and ultrafine bubble generation means. This substitution enables the creation of bubbles with dramatically reduced diameter (100 μm or less, preferably 1 μm or less), which provides vastly increased surface area for metal ion adsorption, thereby simultaneously achieving high reliability and high productivity in metal ion removal

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 system significantly enhances the removal of metal ions from hard water by utilizing fine bubbles for adsorption and crystallization, improving the efficiency of ion removal compared to conventional systems.

Implementation Method 1

metal ions in the hard water are adsorbed to fine bubbles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

fine bubbles are used to adsorb and crystallize metal ions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCrystallization: Crystallisation

Data Source

PatentEP3950604B1Ion removal system
Publication Date: 2025.04.02 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP3950604B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3950604B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3950604B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

An ion removal system includes: an electrolysis device configured to generate alkaline water and acid water by electrolysis; a hard water flow path to supply the electrolysis device with hard water; a first flow path and a second flow path through which the alkaline water and the acid water generated by the electrolysis device can alternately flow; a fine bubble generation device configured to generate and supply fine bubbles to the hard water flow path, the first flow path, or the second flow path so as to adsorb and remove metal ions in water by the fine bubbles generated; and a controller, wherein the controller controls the electrolysis device to perform a first mode in which the alkaline water is allowed to flow through the first flow path and the acid water is allowed to flow through the second flow path and a second mode in which the acid water is allowed to flow through the first flow path and the alkaline water is allowed to flow through the second flow path.