Switchable Wettability Filter for Oil-Water Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oil-water separation technologies lack flexibility and efficiency in separating oil from water across various applications, and they often require multiple solutions and treatments, increasing costs and environmental impact.
Innovation Solution
A filter comprising a mesh with a coating layer containing a first silane moiety with a hydrophobic alkyl chain and a pH-responsive polymer, which allows for reversible switching between hydrophilic and oleophilic properties by adjusting pH or temperature, enabling efficient separation of oil and water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional oil treatment technologies (skimmer, floating boom, air flotation, gravity separation) are used, then oil-water separation can be achieved in specific scenarios, but the system becomes ineffective in other scenarios and requires multiple different solutions, increasing cost and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by developing a single filter material with switchable wettability that can handle multiple oil-water separation scenarios. The filter can be switched between hydrophobic/oleophilic mode (for oil recovery from water) and hydrophilic/oleophobic mode (for water recovery from oil) through pH or temperature changes, eliminating the need for multiple specialized solutions for different separation scenarios
2Adaptability or versatility
If non-responsive pre-fixed wettability materials are used, then oil-water separation can be achieved, but the material lacks flexibility to offer opposite separation and cannot recover oil phase or reuse the separation material
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by incorporating pH-responsive and temperature-responsive polymers into the filter coating. These polymers dynamically change the wettability of the filter material in response to environmental conditions: at low pH or low temperature, the filter becomes hydrophilic/oleophobic (allowing oil passage while blocking water), and at high pH or high temperature, it becomes hydrophobic/oleophilic (allowing water passage while blocking oil). This dynamic switching enables both opposite separation modes and material reuse
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple traditional treatment technologies are deployed for different scenarios, then comprehensive oil-water separation coverage is achieved, but costs increase and environmental impact worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces environmental impact and cost by replacing multiple traditional treatment technologies with a single universal filter system. The switchable wettability filter can be adjusted to handle different oil-water separation needs through simple pH or temperature changes, eliminating the need for multiple specialized systems and reducing chemical reagent consumption and environmental footprint
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 achieves efficient and reversible oil-water separation with minimal chemical reagents, low energy consumption, and cost-effective operation, allowing for multiple uses without degradation, thus providing a sustainable solution.
Implementation Method 1
a pH-responsive polymer, which allows for reversible switching between hydrophilic and oleophilic properties by adjusting pH or temperature
Implementation Method 2
allows for reversible switching between hydrophilic and oleophilic properties by adjusting pH or temperature
Implementation Method 3
The first silane moiety includes a hydrophobic alkyl chain
Implementation Method 4
The surface of the mesh reacts with the reagents in the mixture to provide a modified surface of the mesh, for example this may be by silanization
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein is a filter comprising a mesh and a coating layer on the mesh, the coating layer having a first silane moiety and a pH-responsive polymer. The first silane moiety includes a hydrophobic alkyl chain. The first silane moiety is attached directly to the mesh and the pH-responsive polymer is attached to the mesh by a linker. The mesh may be switched between being hydrophilic and oleophilic by acid or alkaline treatment, or temperature treatment. Also described is a method to prepare the filter, a connector having the filter, an apparatus having the connector, and a method of separating an oil-water mixture.