Multilayered Chemical Containers Without PFAS Permeation Barriers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current chemical storage containers produce per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) during manufacturing, posing environmental and health risks, and lack effective barriers to prevent solvent permeation.
Innovation Solution
A multilayered container design comprising non-fluorinated polyethylene layers, including a high-density polyethylene inner and outer layers with ethyl vinyl alcohol and optional nylon layers in between, providing multiple barriers to prevent solvent permeation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fluorinated polyethylene is used to reduce solvent permeation, then permeation resistance is improved, but harmful PFAS substances are generated during manufacturing
Solution Approach 1:
The container wall is divided into multiple functional layers: a fluorinated polyethylene layer (提供 permeation resistance), a barrier layer (eliminating PFAS generation), and an outer polyethylene layer. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function without the harmful effects affecting the entire structure.
Solution Approach 2:
A barrier layer composed of non-fluorinated materials (such as polyethylene or polypropylene) is introduced between the fluorinated polyethylene layer and the external environment. This intermediary layer prevents direct contact that would generate PFAS substances while maintaining the permeation resistance function of the fluorinated layer.
2Reliability
If fluorinated polyethylene is used to contain chemicals, then containment effectiveness is improved, but environmental safety deteriorates due to PFAS production
Solution Approach 1:
The container structure is segmented into multiple layers where the fluorinated polyethylene layer provides chemical containment while the outer non-fluorinated layers provide environmental safety. This segmentation allows the harmful containment function and safety function to be separated into different materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The container wall uses a composite structure combining fluorinated polyethylene (for chemical resistance and containment) with non-fluorinated polyethylene or polypropylene (for environmental safety). This composite material approach allows both contradictory requirements to be satisfied simultaneously in different parts of the same structure.
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 multilayered container effectively contains a wide range of chemicals without producing PFAS, enhancing environmental safety and reducing solvent permeation through multiple layers.
Implementation Method 1
a second layer configured to provide a gaseous barrier to the storage region, wherein the second layer includes an ethyl vinyl alcohol material
Implementation Method 2
a first layer configured to provide a liquid barrier to the storage region, wherein the first layer includes a high-density polyethylene material
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
Multilayered containers and methods of forming multilayered containers are described. The multilayered containers comprise one or more walls defining a storage region for containing one or more substances therein. Each wall of the multilayered containers comprises a plurality of layers, wherein each layer provides at least one of a barrier for containing one or more substances within the storage region or structural integrity to the multilayered containers. The manufacturing of the multilayered containers does not form per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.