Ionic Liquid Gas Filtration for Low-Pressure Particulate Capture
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing particulate separation technologies in gas streams face challenges such as filter clogging, high energy consumption, inefficiencies, and incompatibility with system requirements, particularly in residential and industrial settings, leading to health and environmental hazards.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing ionic liquids to capture particulates by wetting and submerging them in a gas stream, enhanced by electromagnetic and centrifugal forces, with configurations for terrestrial and microgravity environments, incorporating passive and active mechanisms for optimal impaction and wetting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional filtration methods are used to separate particulates from gas streams, then particulate removal is achieved, but filter clogging occurs and pressure drop increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies hydraulic principles by using a liquid (ionic liquid) to capture particulates instead of gas-phase filtration. The liquid flows through a packed bed of particles, and the gas stream is contacted with the liquid to transfer particulates from the gas phase to the liquid phase, avoiding solid filter clogging and excessive pressure drop
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and properties of the capturing medium from solid (filter substrate) to liquid (ionic liquid). This parameter change allows the system to maintain low pressure drop while achieving effective particulate removal through liquid-gas contact and subsequent particulate capture in the liquid phase
2Reliability
If electrostatic precipitation is used to capture charged particulates, then particulate separation is improved, but energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the energy-intensive electrostatic field-based particulate capture mechanism with a passive liquid-gas contact mechanism. Particulates are transferred to the liquid phase through physical contact and hydrodynamic processes rather than requiring high energy electrostatic fields, significantly reducing energy consumption
3Reliability
If liquid scrubbing methods are used to capture particulates, then particulate removal is achieved, but liquid waste streams are created and operating costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent recovers the ionic liquid after particulate capture by using membranes to separate the liquid from captured particulates. The recovered ionic liquid is recirculated back into the system for continued use, minimizing liquid waste generation and reducing operating costs associated with liquid disposal
4Reliability
If conventional filters are used to remove particulates, then particulate separation is achieved, but maintenance requirements increase and system compatibility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates automatic recirculation of the ionic liquid and uses membrane-based separation that can be integrated into existing gas stream processing systems. The continuous circulation and membrane separation reduce the need for manual maintenance and filter replacements, improving ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The ionic liquid-based system can handle various types of particulates and can be integrated with existing gas processing systems. The same system configuration can serve multiple functions including particulate removal, liquid recirculation, and membrane-based separation, reducing maintenance complexity
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
Enhances particulate capture efficiency while minimizing energy consumption and maintaining system compatibility, effectively removing a wide range of impurities in various environments.
Implementation Method 1
The gas stream is contacted with the ionic liquid to capture non-gaseous impurities from the gas stream
Implementation Method 2
enhanced by electromagnetic and centrifugal forces
Implementation Method 3
enhanced by electromagnetic and centrifugal forces
Data Source
AI summary
The invention described herein is a system and method for the filtration and removal of non-gaseous impurities and other pollutants or unwanted materials from an environment or gas stream using ionic liquids. In this invention, the ionic liquid acts as a medium for the capture and removal of the targeted impurities to be filtered. Various embodiments of the invention employ different technologies, apparatuses, and mechanisms to bring the impurities to be captured into contact with the ionic liquid depending on the specific application and compounds or particles to be captured. This system, method, and device described herein may be implemented for terrestrial, microgravity, or aerospace applications. This invention also describes a method for using any liquid under centrifugal force to filter a gas stream under microgravity conditions.