Regenerative Filter Housing with Honeycomb Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing regenerative media filters suffer from inefficient placement of filtration elements, leading to turbulence and reduced filtration efficiency, resulting in oversized filter structures and susceptibility to air leaks.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a monolithic honeycomb structure for filter elements with optimized spacing and bridging, reducing the size of inlet, outlet, and buffer zones, and incorporating a cleaning method involving air scouring and enzymatic cleaners to enhance filtration efficiency and remove entrained air.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If filter elements are spaced at least the width of the filter elements apart to prevent turbulence, then turbulence is reduced, but the filter housing volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges adjacent filter elements by eliminating the spacing between them, allowing filter elements to be positioned immediately adjacent to one another. This merging approach removes the need for large spacing while maintaining turbulence reduction through the bridging structure that connects adjacent elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces bridging structures that extend between adjacent filter elements, creating a new dimensional connection. This bridging approach allows the filter elements to be positioned closer together in the radial dimension while the bridging provides structural support and turbulence control in the axial dimension.
2Stability of the object's composition
If inlet and buffer zones are extended to prevent turbulence of independently suspended filter elements, then turbulence is reduced, but the filter housing height increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges adjacent filter elements through direct positioning and bridging connections, eliminating the need for extended inlet and buffer zones. The bridging structures provide mutual support between elements, stabilizing them without requiring additional vertical space for separate support zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter elements serve their own support function through the bridging structures that connect them to adjacent elements. This self-supporting arrangement eliminates the need for extended inlet and buffer zones that would otherwise be required to provide external support and prevent turbulence.
3Volume of stationary object
If filter elements are closely spaced to reduce filter housing size, then filter compactness is improved, but turbulence increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the filter element assembly into modular units with bridging structures that connect adjacent elements. This segmentation allows closely spaced elements to be individually supported by bridges, preventing turbulence while maintaining compact dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The bridging structures act as intermediaries between adjacent filter elements, providing structural connection and turbulence control. These bridges mediate the interaction between closely spaced elements, allowing them to be positioned close together without direct contact while still preventing turbulence.
4Reliability
If air is not removed from the filter, then the filter structure remains simple, but air leaks and reduced filtration efficiency occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates air removal as a preliminary action during the filter operation cycle. By systematically removing air from the filter structure before and during operation, the system prevents air leaks and maintains filtration efficiency without requiring complex additional components.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of cleaning a regenerative filter having a filter housing having inlet and outlet zones, a fluid path provided between the inlet and outlet zones, and a plurality of filter elements each having an outer surface filter media applied thereto and functioning to filter particulate or contaminants from the fluid path, the method comprising draining all fluids from the filter housing, refilling the filter housing with fluid to an optimum level, and initiating a cleaning sequence of the filter housing with the fluid at the optimum level. The cleaning sequence can comprise agitating the tube sheet, initiating a pump to effectively air scour for a first predetermined amount of time, dwelling for a second predetermined amount of time, and repeating the agitating, initiating, and dwelling until a third predetermined amount of time is complete.