Surface Active Porous Medium for Organic Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for removing hydrocarbons and organic materials from aqueous fluids often fail to achieve very low levels of purity, making it difficult to consider the water as pure for consumption or reuse.
Innovation Solution
A surface active porous medium is created by fixating adsorbent particles like coal fines and activated carbon onto substrate particles using nanoparticles, which adsorb organic materials from fluids, and can be regenerated with an acid solution for recharging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional filtration and separation methods are used to remove hydrocarbons from water, then some organic material removal is achieved, but the water cannot be considered pure for consumption or reuse
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite filtration medium consisting of substrate particles coated with nanoparticles, which are in turn coated with adsorbent particles. This multi-layer composite structure combines the benefits of different materials: the substrate provides structural support, the nanoparticles enhance surface area and adsorption capacity, and the adsorbent particles specifically target organic materials. This composite approach achieves higher purity levels than conventional single-material filters.
Solution Approach 2:
The filtration medium employs porous substrate particles with controlled pore structures that allow fluid passage while trapping organic materials. The porous nature of the substrate, combined with the nanoparticle coating, creates a hierarchical pore system that effectively removes hydrocarbons while maintaining flow characteristics, achieving both high purity and acceptable productivity.
2Productivity
If adsorbent particles are used to remove organic materials, then high removal efficiency is achieved, but the filtration medium requires frequent replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a regeneration system that allows the filtration medium to be reused. The adsorbent particles can be regenerated by treating them with oxidizing agents or other chemical solutions that restore their adsorption capacity. This recovery process extends the lifespan of the filtration medium, reducing the frequency of replacement and associated downtime.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-layer structure is designed to maintain continuous adsorption capacity. The nanoparticles and adsorbent particles work synergistically to continuously remove organic materials from the fluid stream. The porous structure maintains open pathways for continuous flow while the adsorbent layers continuously capture contaminants, ensuring uninterrupted high-efficiency removal throughout the filtration cycle.
3Quantity of substance
If nanoparticles are used to fixate adsorbent particles onto substrate, then adsorption capacity is enhanced, but the complexity of medium preparation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The nanoparticles are pre-coated onto the substrate particles before the adsorbent particles are applied. This preliminary coating step creates a foundation that enhances subsequent adsorption capacity. By preparing the nanoparticle layer in advance, the final assembly process becomes more straightforward, and the enhanced adsorption capacity is achieved without proportionally increasing overall process complexity.
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
This method effectively removes a high percentage of organic materials from aqueous fluids, maintaining clarity over extended filtration periods and allowing for easy regeneration and reuse of the filtration media, potentially offering a cost-effective and efficient solution for water purification.
Implementation Method 1
adsorbing at least part of the at least one organic material on the adsorbent particles of the surface active porous medium
Implementation Method 2
the surface forces (like van der Waals and electrostatic forces) of the nanoparticles help them associate, group or flocculate the fines together
Implementation Method 3
contacting the surface active porous medium with an acid solution thereby substantially removing the organic materials therefrom
Data Source
AI summary
Organic material may be removed from a fluid, such as an aqueous fluid, by contacting the fluid with a surface active porous medium. The surface active porous medium includes a bed of substrate particles (e.g. sand), at least a partial coating of nanoparticles on the substrate bed, and a plurality of absorbing particles fixated on the nanoparticles. The absorbing particles may include, but are not necessarily limited to, coal fines, activated carbon, activated charcoal, activated coal and combinations thereof. The surface active porous medium may be regenerated by contacting the surface active porous medium with an acid solution to substantially remove the organic materials therefrom.