SiC Membrane Nitrogen Doping Abrasion Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current filtration technologies, such as those using ceramic or non-ceramic membranes, face limitations in abrasion resistance and longevity, especially when filtering liquids with high particle loads, leading to reduced filtration performance and increased energy consumption due to high energy requirements for recirculation pumps in cross-flow filtration systems.

Innovation Solution

A filtering structure with a porous ceramic membrane made of silicon carbide (SiC) is developed, where the membrane layer contains elemental nitrogen between 0.1% and 2% by mass, with porosity between 10 and 70% and median pore diameters between 10 nanometers and 5 micrometers, enhancing abrasion resistance and filtration performance without compromising selectivity or increasing pore size.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional ceramic membranes are used for filtration, then filtration performance is achieved, but abrasion resistance and longevity are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltration performanceVSAvoidservice life
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the SiC membrane by incorporating nitrogen at controlled concentrations (0.1-5 wt%), which fundamentally alters the material properties to achieve both high filtration performance and exceptional abrasion resistance, resolving the contradiction between reliability and service life

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite material system by combining silicon carbide with nitrogen doping, forming a new material phase that exhibits superior mechanical stability and abrasion resistance compared to conventional ceramic membranes, thereby extending service life while maintaining filtration performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If cross-flow filtration is used to limit particle accumulation, then filtration stability is improved, but energy consumption increases due to recirculation pumps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltration stabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the filtration system to maintain stable performance through the inherent properties of the SiC membrane with nitrogen doping, which resists abrasion and maintains permeability without requiring high-energy recirculation pumps, allowing the system to serve itself by eliminating the need for continuous mechanical agitation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If membrane porosity is increased to improve flow rate, then filtration capacity increases, but selectivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltration capacityVSAvoidselectivity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition of the membrane material by adding nitrogen, which modifies the pore structure and surface properties to maintain selectivity even at higher porosity levels, allowing simultaneous improvement of filtration capacity and retention of separation precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 SiC membrane with nitrogen doping achieves improved mechanical stability and filtration performance, extending the filter's service life and reducing energy consumption by maintaining high filtration capacity and selectivity, while minimizing energy usage.

Implementation Method 1

the membrane layer contains elemental nitrogen between 0.1% and 2% by mass

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNitrogen doping: Dopants

Implementation Method 2

the nature and morphology of which are adapted to stop the molecules or the particles whose size is close to or greater than the median diameter of the pores of said membrane

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical filtration through porous membrane: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 3

the porosity of the separating membrane layer is between 10 and 70%, and the median pore diameter is between 10 nanometers and 5 micrometers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPorosity: Porosity

Data Source

PatentEP3233252B1Filters comprising sic membranes incorporating nitrogen
Publication Date: 2023.08.23 SAINT GOBAIN CENT DE RES & DEVS & DETUD EUROEN
  • EP3233252B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3233252B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3233252B1 patent drawing

AI summary

A filter for the filtration of a fluid such as a liquid, comprising or composed of a support element (1) made of a porous ceramic material, said element exhibiting a tubular or parallelepipedal shape delimited by an external surface (2) and comprising, in its internal portion (3), a set of adjacent channels (4) with axes parallel to one another and separated from one another by walls (8) of said porous inorganic material, in which at least a portion of said channels (4) and/or at least a portion of said external surface are covered with a porous separating membrane layer (5), said filter being characterized in that: - said separating membrane layer is made of a material essentially composed of silicon carbide (SiC), - the content by weight of elemental nitrogen of the layer constituting the porous separating membrane layer is between 0.1% and 2%.