Translucent Honeycomb Structure for Photocatalytic Air and Water Purification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional honeycomb structures used in air cleaners and water purifiers face challenges with pressure loss and limited photocatalytic efficiency due to small pore diameters and low specific surface areas, as well as inefficiencies in activating photocatalysts when used in either honeycomb or sheet forms.
Innovation Solution
A composite honeycomb structure with an average pore diameter of 5 to 200 μm and specific surface area of 100 to 1500 m2/g, incorporating metal fine particles like platinum and silver, is developed using a manufacturing method involving silica sol preparation, gelation, freezing, and drying, with optional photocatalyst loading for enhanced photocatalytic activity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the pore diameter of honeycomb structure is reduced to increase contact area, then the specific surface area increases, but the pressure loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pore diameter parameter from the conventional 5-50 μm range to a larger 50-500 μm range, which reduces pressure loss while maintaining effective contact area through the honeycomb structure's geometry. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction between increasing surface area and reducing pressure loss.
2Reliability
If photocatalyst is carried by honeycomb structure, then the structure provides support, but only limited part of photocatalyst can be activated by light
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the honeycomb structure translucent rather than opaque, allowing light to penetrate through the walls and activate photocatalyst particles throughout the entire structure volume. This transforms the local optical property to enable uniform photocatalyst activation from both outer and inner surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a dimensional aspect to light activation by enabling three-dimensional light penetration through the translucent structure, rather than limiting activation to only the outer surface. This allows photocatalyst particles distributed throughout the volume to be activated, effectively utilizing the entire structure.
3Area of stationary object
If sheet type carrier is used for photocatalyst, then the apparatus area can be reduced, but the processing capability is limited by outermost surface photocatalyst
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional sheet carrier to a three-dimensional translucent honeycomb structure, enabling light and fluid to penetrate through the volume. This allows photocatalyst particles throughout the entire structure to contribute to processing, dramatically increasing productivity while maintaining compact 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 composite honeycomb structure effectively reduces pressure loss and enhances photocatalytic efficiency, enabling improved removal of harmful substances from air and water through increased surface area and optimized photocatalyst activation.
Implementation Method 1
gelation
Implementation Method 2
The porous material has been widely used as an adsorbent
Implementation Method 3
The honeycomb structure, however, is not surface-modified by a catalyst or the like in the form of metal fine particles, for detoxifying a harmful substance
Implementation Method 4
a technique of decomposing a harmful substance utilizing photocatalytic effect generated when a photocatalyst represented by titanium oxide is irradiated with light
Data Source
AI summary
A composite honeycomb structure in which the honeycomb structure is highly functionalized and adapted to have catalytic function, considering pressure loss is provided. A honeycomb structure having average pore diameter of 5 to 200 μm and specific surface area of 100 to 1500 m2/g is provided. Further, a translucent honeycomb structure and a photocatalyst-carrying translucent honeycomb structure having a photocatalyst carried on a surface of the translucent honeycomb structure and/or contained in the translucent honeycomb structure are provided. Further, an air cleaner and a water purifier using the honeycomb structure and the photocatalyst-carrying translucent honeycomb structure are provided.