Splittable Multicomponent Fiber Filter Media for Low Pressure Drop

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current filter media face a trade-off between high filtration efficiency and low pressure drop, with nanofibers offering high efficiency but causing high pressure drop and low dust holding capacity, necessitating a solution that balances efficiency and flow resistance.

Innovation Solution

A filter medium comprising a splittable multicomponent fiber and a monocomponent fiber, where the multicomponent fiber is split into finer components to enhance filtration efficiency while maintaining low pressure drop, achieved by blending and mechanically splitting the multicomponent fiber with the monocomponent fiber.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If nanofibers are incorporated into filter media to improve filtration efficiency, then particle capture efficiency increases, but pressure drop increases and dust holding capacity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltration efficiencyVSAvoidpressure drop
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The multicomponent fiber is segmented into multiple components during processing, creating a fibrous structure with varied pore sizes. This segmentation allows the filter media to capture particles of different sizes while maintaining open pathways for fluid flow, thus improving filtration efficiency without proportionally increasing pressure drop

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The filter media combines multicomponent fibers with different material properties to create a composite structure. This composite approach enables the material to exhibit both high filtration efficiency and low pressure drop characteristics by leveraging the complementary properties of different fiber components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Measurement precision

If surface area of filtration media is increased to improve particle capture efficiency, then filtration efficiency increases, but pressure drop increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparticle capture efficiencyVSAvoidpressure drop
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the multicomponent fiber into multiple finer components, the effective surface area for particle capture is increased without requiring a proportional increase in overall media density. The segmented structure creates numerous capture sites while maintaining porosity for fluid flow

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The filter media utilizes a porous structure created by the segmented fiber components, providing high surface area for particle capture while maintaining open channels for fluid flow. The porous architecture allows particles to be trapped on fiber surfaces without completely blocking flow paths

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

3Measurement precision

If nanofibers are used to filter smaller particles, then filtration efficiency improves, but dust holding capacity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltration efficiencyVSAvoiddust holding capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The composite structure of multicomponent fibers provides both fine segmentation for high-efficiency particle capture and sufficient material volume for dust holding capacity. The combination of different fiber components creates a structure that can trap and retain particles effectively

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP3313549B1Filter media and methods of producing the same
Publication Date: 2021.03.17 MANN HUMMEL GMBH
  • EP3313549B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~2
  • EP3313549B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3313549B1 patent drawingFigure 4a~5

AI summary

Filter media comprising a splittable multicomponent fiber, wherein at least a portion of the splittable multicomponent fiber is present in the filter medium in split form as at least a first split component and a second split component, and a monocomponent fiber are provided herein. Methods of preparing the filter media are also provided herein.