Spiral-Wound Filter Module Reducing Heavy Metal Leaching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spiral-wound filter modules used in water purifiers face issues with heavy metal leaching, particularly antimony, which contaminates drinking water and exceeds safe limits when the water is stagnant for extended periods.
Innovation Solution
A spiral-wound filter module is developed with a filtered-water flow channel sheet made from a fabric that exhibits almost no heavy metal leaching. This fabric is formed from polyester fibers with a sheath-core structure, using a titanium-based catalyst for polymerization, which minimizes antimony content and leaching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a polyester fiber is formed by condensation polymerization using an antimony-based catalyst, then the filtered-water flow channel can be manufactured effectively, but heavy metal (antimony) leaching occurs when filtered water is stagnant for a long period
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the harmful antimony-based catalyst from the polyester fiber manufacturing process and replaces it with a titanium-based catalyst. This extraction of the harmful substance eliminates the source of heavy metal leaching while maintaining the manufacturing capability through the alternative catalyst system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameter of the catalyst from antimony-based to titanium-based in the condensation polymerization process. This parameter change fundamentally alters the chemical composition of the polyester fiber, eliminating heavy metal content while preserving the polymerization reaction and fiber formation capabilities.
2Device complexity
If conventional polyester fabric is used for the filtered-water flow channel, then the structure is simple and cost-effective, but it exhibits significant heavy metal leaching exceeding safety standards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameter of the polyester fabric by changing the catalyst from antimony-based to titanium-based during manufacturing. This parameter change maintains the structural simplicity and cost-effectiveness of the polyester fabric while fundamentally improving drinking water safety by eliminating heavy metal leaching.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material solution by using titanium-based catalyst in the polyester fiber, resulting in a new type of polyester fabric that combines the structural advantages of conventional polyester with the safety advantages of heavy metal-free composition.
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 solution effectively reduces heavy metal leaching to levels below 1 ppb, ensuring compliance with drinking water quality standards and providing safe drinking water even when the filter is not in use for extended periods.
Implementation Method 1
using a titanium-based catalyst for polymerization, which minimizes antimony content and leaching
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a spiral-wound filter module exhibiting almost no heavy metal leaching and a manufacturing method thereof, and specifically, to a spiral-wound filter module, which can be used as a filter for producing safe drinking water by substantially reducing the amount of a heavy metal leached when immersed in water, and a manufacturing method thereof.