Pleated Activated Carbon Filter for HVAC Regeneration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Regenerable gas filters face a trade-off between adsorption capacity and pressure drop, with increased filter thickness enhancing adsorption but increasing power consumption for regeneration, particularly in HVAC systems.
Innovation Solution
A pleated activated carbon fibre filter with electrical conductors at the pleat tips and optionally at the ends, connected to a central conductor and a DC power source, reducing pressure drop and power consumption through optimized pleat design and electrical resistance distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If filter thickness is increased to enhance adsorption capacity, then adsorption capacity is improved, but pressure drop increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is divided into multiple pleats (segments) that are electrically independent, with each pleat having its own conductors at the tips. This segmentation allows the electrical resistance to be distributed across multiple parallel paths, reducing the overall resistance and enabling lower power consumption for regeneration while maintaining sufficient adsorption capacity through the cumulative effect of multiple pleats.
2Quantity of substance
If filter thickness is increased to enhance adsorption capacity, then adsorption capacity is improved, but power consumption for regeneration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filter medium is segmented into multiple pleats with conductors positioned at the tips of each pleat. This creates multiple parallel electrical pathways through the filter, reducing the overall electrical resistance. As a result, less electrical power is required to achieve the necessary Joule heating for regeneration, while the cumulative adsorption capacity of the multiple pleats is maintained.
Solution Approach 2:
Conductors are strategically positioned at the tips of the pleats rather than uniformly distributed throughout the filter. This local placement optimizes the electrical resistance distribution, ensuring efficient Joule heating at the critical adsorption sites while minimizing overall power consumption. The conductors at the pleat tips create localized heating zones that effectively regenerate the activated carbon fibers.
3Use of energy by moving object
If electrical resistance is reduced to lower power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but heating efficiency may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Conductors are positioned at the tips of the pleats, creating localized heating zones where the electrical resistance is optimized for efficient Joule heating. This local placement ensures that heat is generated precisely where it is needed for regeneration, maintaining heating efficiency while reducing overall power consumption through the parallel resistance pathways created by the multiple pleats.
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 pleated filter design achieves lower pressure drop and reduced power consumption for regeneration, enhancing air purification efficiency in HVAC systems while maintaining adsorption capacity.
Implementation Method 1
a regenerable filter that includes activated carbon fibers (ACF)... for the purification of air... enhancing air purification efficiency
Implementation Method 2
Joule effect heating of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) adsorbed on activated carbon cloth... Joule heating regeneration of the ACFC was rapid
Data Source
AI summary
A regenerable gas filter includes a housing having in-line an entrance and an exit, a pleated activated carbon fibre sheet or tube, with electrical conductors in the tip of each pleat and further electrical conductors being optionally attached to the ends of said sheet. The conductors are disposed substantially perpendicularly to the gas flow through the housing and the conductors on one side of the pleated sheet are connected to a single central conductor, which in turn was coupled to an electrical DC power source, which is repeated for the conductors on the other side of the pleated sheet. The sheet is stretched over and in electrical contact with the conductors and the pleated sheet or tube is provided with a sealing means to the housing. The regenerable gas filter is used for the purification of air in a Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system.