Soy-Based HVAC Filter Media Using Cold Plasma Treatment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current HVAC air filters are either expensive and highly effective or cheap with poor filtration efficiency, and most are made from petroleum-based products, posing environmental hazards, with an unmet need for sustainable, affordable, and environmentally friendly materials.
Innovation Solution
A soy-based HVAC air filter using milled whole soybean material and recyclable materials, such as recycled paper, with cold plasma treatment to enhance filtration efficiency and extend product life, offering a cost-effective, high-efficiency, and biodegradable solution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If petroleum-based materials are used for HVAC filters, then filtration effectiveness can be achieved, but environmental hazards increase and sustainability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from petroleum-based to soy-based, transforming the chemical composition while maintaining filtration functionality. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by eliminating environmental hazards associated with petroleum products while preserving filtration effectiveness through the unique properties of soy proteins.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials combining soy-based proteins with recyclable materials to create a filter media that achieves both effective filtration and environmental sustainability. The composite structure allows the soy proteins to provide filtration effectiveness while the biodegradable and recyclable nature of components eliminates environmental hazards.
2Reliability
If high-efficiency filtration materials are used, then filtration effectiveness improves, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable filter media made from inexpensive soy-based materials and recyclable components. This approach allows the use of cost-effective materials that can be replaced regularly, achieving high filtration effectiveness without the high manufacturing costs of permanent or reusable filter systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material composition parameter to use soy-based proteins and recyclable materials, which are inherently more cost-effective than traditional high-performance filter materials. This parameter change enables high filtration effectiveness to be achieved at lower manufacturing costs.
3Ease of manufacture
If affordable filter materials are used, then manufacturing cost decreases, but filtration efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from conventional affordable materials to soy-based proteins, which possess unique properties that provide high filtration efficiency. This parameter change allows affordable manufacturing costs to be maintained while dramatically improving filtration efficiency beyond what traditional affordable materials can achieve.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite materials combining soy-based proteins with recyclable materials to achieve a synergistic effect. The soy proteins provide the filtration efficiency typically associated with expensive materials, while the recyclable components maintain cost-effectiveness, resolving the contradiction between affordability and efficiency.
4Duration of action of stationary object
If conventional filter materials are used, then product lifespan is maintained, but environmental sustainability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from conventional non-biodegradable materials to soy-based proteins and recyclable materials. This parameter change enables the filter to maintain its functional lifespan while becoming environmentally sustainable through biodegradation and recyclability, eliminating the harmful effects of persistent waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs discarding and recovering principles by making the filter media biodegradable and recyclable. After use, the soy-based filter can be composted or recycled, transforming the end-of-life phase from environmental hazard to resource recovery, thus maintaining product lifespan while achieving environmental sustainability.
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 soy-based filter outperforms existing HVAC filters by 15% in filtration efficiency, is more environmentally friendly, and significantly cheaper to produce, while being biodegradable and suitable for various industries, including industrial and agricultural air filtration.
Implementation Method 1
the product has experimentally gone through cold plasma treatment, which may extend the life of the product and at the same time allow for an even higher filtration efficiency due to the resultant surface charge held by the soy proteins
Data Source
AI summary
The present application relates generally to filter media useful for manufacturing air filters for residential and commercial office's Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC), particularly to filters and filter media comprising soybean-based materials. The present invention provides an inexpensive, effective, environmentally friendly, and sustainable media for manufacturing HVAC air filters for residential and commercial buildings.