System for continuous oil/water separation using superhydrophilic oil/water separation filter
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oil-water separation systems face inefficiencies and operational challenges, including high internal pressure due to accumulated unrecovered fluids, which hampers continuous treatment of large oil and water volumes, and requires frequent filter cleaning and recovery processes.
Innovation Solution
A continuous oil-water separation system utilizing a super-hydrophilic oil-water separation filter with a hydrogel layer bonded to polymer fibers, combined with a super-hydrophobic filter, recirculates residual mixtures and employs pressure control valves to maintain internal pressure and prevent contamination, allowing for simultaneous and efficient separation of oil and water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing oil-water separation methods using super-hydrophilic or super-hydrophobic filters are used, then oil-water separation efficiency is improved, but internal pressure increases due to accumulated unrecovered fluids, deteriorating filter performance
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the single filtration process into two separate filtration stages: first pass filtration and second pass filtration. This segmentation allows the system to handle different flow rates and pressure conditions in each stage, preventing excessive pressure buildup while maintaining high separation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary storage tank between the two filtration stages. This storage tank acts as a buffer that collects fluids from the first pass filter and supplies them to the second pass filter, decoupling the pressure conditions of the two filtration processes and preventing pressure deterioration.
2Productivity
If treatment capacity is increased to handle large amounts of oil and water, then productivity is improved, but internal pressure increases due to accumulated unrecovered fluid, requiring filter cleaning and recovery processes
Solution Approach 1:
The dual-filter system enables continuous operation by maintaining two parallel filtration pathways. While one filter is being used for active filtration, the other can be cleaned or maintained, eliminating downtime and ensuring continuous productive operation without interrupting the treatment process.
Solution Approach 2:
By segmenting the filtration system into two independent filters operating in parallel, the system allows one filter to be cleaned or maintained while the other continues operation. This segmentation eliminates the need to stop the entire system for maintenance, maintaining continuous productivity.
3Device complexity
If a single filter is used for oil-water separation, then device complexity is reduced, but the filter requires frequent cleaning and recovery processes, decreasing ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses two separate filters instead of one, which initially increases device complexity. However, this segmentation enables continuous operation where one filter can be cleaned while the other operates, significantly improving ease of operation by eliminating system shutdowns for maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a configuration where one filter can be taken offline for cleaning and recovery while the other remains in service. This approach allows maintenance activities to be performed without interrupting the overall operation, improving ease of operation despite the added complexity of having two filters.
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 system effectively recovers high-purity water and oil, maintains filter efficiency, and prevents internal pressure buildup, enabling continuous processing of large volumes without the need for separate recovery processes.
Implementation Method 1
a super-hydrophilic oil-water separation filter which is a filter having a super-hydrophilic surface layer implemented as a hydrophilic hydrogel layer strongly bonded to a surface of a polymer fiber
Implementation Method 2
a super-hydrophobic membrane may be connected to a rear end of the pressure control valve on the outlet pipe
Data Source
AI summary
A continuous oil-water separation system includes a storage tank having an inlet and an outlet and storing an oil-water mixture, a filter housing including a storage space having a predetermined height and having an inlet connected to the outflow portion of the storage tank to allow the oil-water mixture to flow in therethrough, a water drain hole allowing water separated from the oil-water mixture to be discharged therethrough, and an outlet allowing a residual oil-water mixture to flow out therethrough, a super-hydrophilic oil-water separation filter positioned in the storage space of the filter housing to absorb water from the oil-water mixture and connected to the water drain hole to allow the absorbed water to be discharged therethrough, a pressure control valve installed on an outlet pipe extending from the outlet, and a hydrophobic membrane connected to a rear end of the pressure control valve on the outlet pipe.