Lignocellulose Composite Textile for Water Contaminant Trapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current water treatment methods for metals and radionuclides, such as ion exchange resins and activated carbons, are costly, require high maintenance, produce sludge, and do not facilitate recycling or reduce waste, especially in environments like mining sites where radioactive waste is a concern.
Innovation Solution
A composite textile made of natural and/or synthetic fibers with lignocellulosic particles, entangled within the fibers, which is biodegradable and recyclable, is used to trap metals, radionuclides, fungicides, and herbicides by adsorption, utilizing a process involving carding, pressing, and consolidation to create a non-woven or woven filter capable of effectively treating water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ion exchange resins or activated carbons are used for water treatment, then trapping efficiency of metals and radionuclides is improved, but cost and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical and physical parameters of the adsorbent material by using lignocellulosic particles with specific surface area, pore size, and functional group characteristics. These parameter modifications enable effective metal and radionuclide trapping while reducing complexity compared to conventional ion exchange resins
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs disposable lignocellulosic-based adsorbent materials that can be easily replaced rather than maintained. These materials are designed for single-use or limited-use applications, eliminating complex maintenance requirements while maintaining trapping efficiency
2Reliability
If conventional water treatment methods are used, then metal trapping is achieved, but sludge production and waste volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the typically harmful lignocellulosic waste material into a beneficial adsorbent. What would otherwise be waste (lignocellulosic biomass) is transformed into a functional material for metal trapping, eliminating sludge production while achieving effective treatment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables easy discarding of saturated adsorbent materials without environmental harm. The lignocellulosic-based materials can be disposed of safely or potentially recovered through incineration for energy recovery, avoiding the sludge disposal problems of conventional methods
3Ease of manufacture
If lignocellulosic particles are used alone for adsorption, then natural and biodegradable material is used, but trapping efficiency is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates composite adsorbent materials combining lignocellulosic particles with natural fibers in a nonwoven structure. This composite approach maintains the biodegradability of lignocellulose while enhancing trapping efficiency through the synergistic effects of the fiber matrix and particle adsorption sites
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the porous structure of lignocellulosic particles and the interstitial spaces in the nonwoven fabric to enhance adsorption capacity. The porous architecture provides increased surface area and access to active sites, improving trapping efficiency while maintaining natural material benefits
4Ease of manufacture
If trapped metals are not recovered, then treatment process is simple, but valuable metal recycling is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent facilitates both simple disposal and potential recovery of trapped metals. The lignocellulosic-based adsorbent can be incinerated to recover valuable metals from the ash, or the saturated material can be easily replaced and the metals recovered through standardized processes
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 textile significantly improves the trapping efficiency of metals and radionuclides compared to standalone lignocellulosic particles or fibers alone, offering a cost-effective, low-maintenance solution that reduces waste and allows for recycling, while being environmentally friendly.
Implementation Method 1
ligno-cellulosic particles capable of adsorbing metals (copper, gold, iron, etc.) and/or radionuclides such as uranium and/or fungicides and/or herbicides
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to the use of a composite textile of natural and/or synthetic and/or artificial fibres and lignocellulose particles mixed with said fibres comprising more than 30 wt.% of said lignocellulose particles in order to trap the metals and/or metalloids and/or radionuclides and/or biocides present in water.