Porous Anode Fields for Polarized Molecule Removal Without Electrolysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies are inadequate in efficiently removing polarized molecules such as PFAS, benzene, carbon dioxide, and sulfur dioxide from fluids without causing electric current flow or chemical reactions.
Innovation Solution
An electrode apparatus with a non-uniform electric field is created between a porous anode and a surrounding cathode, using a porous metal or plasma-activated carbon anode, to attract and trap polarized molecules without electric current flow, utilizing a direct current power source to apply a potential difference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrolysis chemical reaction process is used to break contaminants into small and stable molecules, then contaminants can be removed from water, but electric current flows between electrodes causing unwanted chemical reactions and energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the electric field generation function from the electrolysis process. Instead of using a conventional two-electrode system where both electrodes are actively involved in electrolysis, the invention uses only the anode to generate the electric field for contaminant removal, eliminating the cathode's role in the treatment process and preventing unwanted reactions at the cathode surface
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a porous anode made of conductive material where the porous structure serves multiple functions: it generates the electric field for contaminant removal, provides large surface area for treatment, and allows fluid flow through the structure without requiring cathodic involvement, thus eliminating electrolysis while maintaining contaminant removal effectiveness
2Reliability
If conventional electrolysis is used to remove polarized molecules, then molecules can be broken down, but the process causes electric current flow and chemical reactions that may affect fluid purity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the chemical electrolysis mechanism with a physical electric field-based attraction mechanism. Polarized molecules are removed through dielectric attraction to the porous anode rather than through electrochemical reactions, substituting a physical field effect for a chemical process and thereby eliminating harmful chemical byproducts
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an inert electrical environment by using a porous anode that generates an electric field without requiring current flow through the fluid. This inert electrical environment prevents unwanted electrochemical reactions while still enabling effective removal of polarized contaminants through dielectric attraction
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
Effectively removes polarized molecules like PFAS, benzene, and sulfur dioxide from fluids by adsorption onto the anode without electrolysis or chemical reactions, maintaining the fluid's purity and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a non-uniform electric field is created between the anode and the cathode... causing a polarized molecule in a liquid or gaseous fluid to move toward an anode
Implementation Method 2
trapping the polarized molecule in the electrically conductive porous material of the anode
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
An electrode apparatus (21) and method remove a polarized molecule in a fluid. In another aspect, a non-uniform electric field is created between an anode (43, 105) and a cathode (41, 107), the fluid flows within a gap (45, 135) between the cathode and the anode, and the polarized molecule is driven by an electrostatic force to and adsorbed on the anode without experiencing a chemical reaction.