Ionic Binding Material Device for Deicing Salt Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
The environmental impact of deicing salts, particularly sodium chloride, on roadways and surrounding ecosystems due to their corrosive nature and toxicity to wildlife, along with the economic burden of infrastructure damage and water treatment costs, necessitates a method to capture and remove these salts from waterways before they enter ecosystems.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising an ionic binding material within a porous housing is used to contact and absorb deicing salt ions from water, utilizing materials like biochar, hemp, diatomaceous earth, or ion-exchange resins to bind and remove sodium, calcium, potassium, magnesium, and chloride ions through electrostatic or covalent interactions, with the potential for recharging and reuse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If deicing salts are applied to roadways and parking lots, then ice and snow are effectively removed, but salt accumulates in waterways and aquifers causing environmental damage and requiring expensive water treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance (biochar, activated carbon, or ion-exchange resin) that mediates between the deicing salt on roadways and the waterways. This intermediary material captures salt ions from runoff water through adsorption or ion exchange, preventing direct environmental contamination while allowing continued use of deicing salts for ice removal
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes porous materials (biochar, activated carbon) with high surface area and porous structures to capture salt ions from water runoff. The porous structure provides extensive surface area for adsorption, enabling effective salt removal from water while the material can be contained in barriers or filtration systems along waterways
2Reliability
If conventional water treatment methods are used to remove salt constituents, then drinking water quality is improved, but treatment costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs relatively inexpensive, easily replaceable materials such as biochar and activated carbon that can be disposed of or regenerated after use. These materials provide effective salt removal at lower cost compared to conventional treatment methods, and their simplicity allows for easy replacement rather than complex system maintenance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach from expensive conventional chemical treatment to utilizing materials with specific adsorption properties. By selecting materials with high surface area and appropriate surface chemistry (biochar, activated carbon, ion-exchange resins), the system achieves effective salt removal through physical and chemical adsorption mechanisms at lower cost
3Productivity
If salt is applied to roadways, then ice removal is effective, but infrastructure corrosion costs increase by billions annually
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of salt into a beneficial process by using the salt's ionic properties for capture and removal. The same deicing salts that cause corrosion are captured by ion-exchange resins or adsorbed by porous materials, transforming the corrosion risk into an opportunity for targeted salt removal from waterways before they reach infrastructure and ecosystems
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 device effectively removes significant amounts of deicing salt ions from water, reducing salt concentrations and mitigating environmental harm, while also providing a cost-effective solution for reducing infrastructure corrosion and water treatment expenses by recycling the captured salts.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing materials like biochar, hemp, diatomaceous earth, or ion-exchange resins to bind and remove sodium, calcium, potassium, magnesium, and chloride ions through electrostatic or covalent interactions
Implementation Method 2
utilizing materials like biochar, hemp, diatomaceous earth, or ion-exchange resins to bind and remove sodium, calcium, potassium, magnesium, and chloride ions
Implementation Method 3
A device comprising an ionic binding material present in a porous housing... contacting the water with deicing salt ions with a device comprising an ionic binding material present in a porous housing
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with the purpose(s) of the present disclosure, as embodied and broadly described herein, the disclosure, in one aspect, relates to methods for removing deicing salt ions from water. In one aspect, the method involves contacting the water with deicing salt ions with a device comprising an ionic binding material present in a porous housing. Additionally, described herein are methods for recharging the device so that the device can be re-used multiple times.