Silver-Coated Nanofiber Filter Media for Aircraft Water Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing potable water systems in aircraft face a significant drop in water flow rate and pressure due to the incorporation of biocides-containing nanofiber fabrics and adhesive layers, necessitating a filtration system that offers efficient disinfection with low pressure drop and high flow rate.
Innovation Solution
A novel filter media comprising a microorganism-killing membrane with a thermal binding layer and electrospun nanofiber fabrics coated with a silver film, where the nanofiber fabrics are thermally bound to the layer without using adhesive layers, utilizing Reemay® spunbonded polyester fabrics for thermal binding and silver deposition through chemical vapor deposition to maintain high flow rates and low pressure drops.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If biocides-containing nanofiber fabrics and adhesive layers are incorporated into the filtration system, then disinfection efficiency is improved, but water flow rate and pressure drop deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the adhesive layer from the filtration system. By using a self-adhering nanofiber fabric that bonds directly to the filter media through mechanical interlocking and surface adhesion, the separate adhesive layer is removed, preventing flow rate reduction and pressure drop associated with adhesive layers while maintaining disinfection efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite structure where biocidal nanofiber fabric is directly integrated with the filter media. This composite approach eliminates the need for adhesive layers and reduces the overall thickness of the filtration assembly, thereby maintaining high water flow rates and low pressure drops while preserving pathogen removal capabilities.
2Reliability
If biocides-containing nanofiber fabrics and adhesive layers are incorporated into the filtration system, then disinfection efficiency is improved, but water pressure drop deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the adhesive layer from the filtration system. By using a self-adhering nanofiber fabric that bonds directly to the filter media through mechanical interlocking and surface adhesion, the separate adhesive layer is removed, preventing flow rate reduction and pressure drop associated with adhesive layers while maintaining disinfection efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite structure where biocidal nanofiber fabric is directly integrated with the filter media. This composite approach eliminates the need for adhesive layers and reduces the overall thickness of the filtration assembly, thereby maintaining high water flow rates and low pressure drops while preserving pathogen removal capabilities.
3Strength
If adhesive layers are used to bind nanofiber fabrics to filter media, then structural integrity is improved, but flow rate and pressure drop deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the adhesive layer from the filtration system. By using a self-adhering nanofiber fabric that bonds directly to the filter media through mechanical interlocking and surface adhesion, the separate adhesive layer is removed, preventing flow rate reduction and pressure drop associated with adhesive layers while maintaining disinfection efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The nanofiber fabric itself acts as an intermediary that provides both the binding function and the filtration function. The fabric's inherent adhesion properties and mechanical interlocking with the filter media eliminate the need for separate adhesive layers, maintaining structural integrity without compromising flow characteristics.
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 filter media achieves efficient disinfection with a low pressure drop and high water flow rate, eliminating the need for adhesive layers and preventing blockages, making it suitable for use in aircraft potable water systems without compromising flow rates or increasing pressure.
Implementation Method 1
the silver film can be deposited onto the nanofiber fabrics through a chemical vapor deposition
Implementation Method 2
the electrospun nanofiber fabrics are thermally bound to the thermal binding layer
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention provides a novel method of preparing a filter media by thermally bonding silver-coated nanofiber fabrics to a dirt-retaining membrane, a chemical-retaining membrane, a pathogen-retaining membrane, or a combination thereof. The invention also relates to the use of silver-coated nanofiber fabric layer as a component of a microorganism-killing membrane in filter media for a liquid or air filtration system. The filter of the invention offers efficient disinfection effects, maintaining a low pressure drop and a high flow rate when in use. Further, the filter media is adhesive-layer free and contains contains least one thermal binding layer made of spunbonded nonwoven polymeric system. The invention also features a water-purification cartridge and a portable water system thereof.