Regenerable air filter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Air filters used in clean room and HVAC applications face challenges in efficiently removing molecular contamination, particularly low molecular size volatile organic compounds, leading to short service lifecycles and high costs, with traditional regenerable filters being unsustainable due to high filtration efficiency requirements.
Innovation Solution
A heat-resistant regenerable air filter assembly utilizing a carbon fiber felt material as a sealing medium between the adsorbent panel and frame, which provides a higher pressure drop than the adsorbent panel, allowing for effective regeneration and extended service life, while maintaining filtration efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional potting or adhesive compounds are used to seal the filter panel to the frame, then a reliable seal is provided, but the filter cannot be regenerated due to degradation at high temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing material changes from traditional polyurethane adhesive to carbon fiber felt, fundamentally altering the material parameters to withstand high temperatures. This parameter change enables the seal to survive regeneration cycles at temperatures above 200°C while maintaining sealing effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution uses a composite sealing structure combining carbon fiber felt with a heat-resistant adhesive or sealant. This composite material provides both the mechanical sealing properties needed for reliability and the thermal stability required for regenerability.
2Reliability
If the filter is designed for high filtration efficiency to meet clean room requirements, then AMC removal is improved, but the service lifecycle becomes short and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is designed to be regenerated by discarding the accumulated molecular contamination through thermal desorption. The adsorbent material is heated to temperatures above 200°C to release trapped contaminants, then cooled and reused, extending service life from months to years.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter operates in periodic cycles of service and regeneration. During service, it adsorbs molecular contamination; during regeneration, it is heated to desorb contaminants. This periodic action allows repeated use while maintaining high filtration efficiency.
3Ease of repair
If the sealing material is made heat resistant to enable regeneration, then regenerability is improved, but the pressure drop increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The carbon fiber felt seal is designed with specific local properties: it is placed only at the peripheral sealing zone rather than across the entire filter surface. This localized sealing approach maintains low pressure drop across the main filtration area while providing heat-resistant sealing where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The carbon fiber felt is a porous material that allows some air permeability. This porosity reduces the pressure drop compared to solid sealing materials, while the carbon fiber structure provides the necessary heat resistance for regeneration cycles.
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 use of carbon fiber felt as a sealing material enhances the regeneration properties of the air filter assembly, enabling multiple regeneration cycles, reducing costs, and improving sustainability by maintaining filtration efficiency and extending the service life of the filter.
Implementation Method 1
a heat resistant sealing material between the adsorbent panel and the frame, which is a carbon fiber felt material arranged between the air permeable adsorbent panel and the frame so as to fill the distance therebetween, thereby preventing leakage of unfiltered air
Implementation Method 2
the panel comprising a heat resistant structure comprising a heat resistant porous adsorbent material for adsorbing airborne molecular contamination
Implementation Method 3
molecular filters and filter elements... for removing Airborne Molecular Contamination (AMC)
Implementation Method 4
regeneration can be performed with adequate result by subjecting the filter to hot air treatment in order to remove the molecular contamination absorbed by the filter
Implementation Method 5
the panel comprising a heat resistant structure comprising a heat resistant porous adsorbent material for adsorbing airborne molecular contamination and being configured to be regenerated by desorption
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 2a~2b
AI summary
A heat resistant regenerable air filter assembly for an air supplying application, comprising an air permeable adsorbent panel (1) mounted in a frame (2), said panel comprising a heat resistant structure comprising a heat resistant porous adsorbent material for adsorbing molecular contamination and being configured to be regenerated by desorption, and said air filter assembly comprising a heat resistant sealing material (3) between the adsorbent panel and the frame, where the heat resistant sealing material is a carbon fiber felt material arranged between the air permeable adsorbent panel and the frame so as to fill the distance therebetween, thereby preventing leakage of unfiltered air through the heat regenerable air filter assembly; and a method (100) of regenerating the air filter assembly.