Washing Machine Separator with Bypass Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current washing machine filters are ineffective in capturing microplastics, particularly microfibers, due to their large aperture sizes, leading to clogging issues that increase pressure consumption and risk of pump damage, and existing solutions like mesh filters clog quickly, reducing their effectiveness over time.
Innovation Solution
A separator system with a sieve structure and a filter pressure regeneration apparatus, including a conduit and nozzle assembly, that dislodges filtered material and provides a bypass conduit to maintain flow when pressure exceeds a threshold, ensuring efficient microplastic removal and preventing filter clogging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mesh filters are used to capture microfibers, then filtration effectiveness is improved, but the filters clog quickly causing pressure rise and flow rate reduction
Solution Approach 1:
The filter system is divided into two separate components: a fine mesh filter for capturing microfibers and a coarse sieve structure for trapping larger debris. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in different particle sizes, preventing the fine mesh from clogging while maintaining effective filtration.
Solution Approach 2:
The coarse sieve structure acts as an intermediary element that intercepts larger particles and debris before they reach the fine mesh filter. This protective intermediary function prevents direct clogging of the fine mesh, maintaining its filtration effectiveness over time.
2Reliability
If aperture size is reduced to capture more microfibers, then filtration effectiveness is improved, but pressure consumption increases and pumps may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The filtration function is segmented between two structures with different aperture sizes. The coarse sieve handles larger particles with higher flow capacity, while the fine mesh handles microfibers with lower flow requirements. This division allows effective microfiber capture without subjecting the entire system to excessive pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the filter system have different filtration characteristics. The coarse sieve provides high-flow capacity for larger particles, while the fine mesh provides high-efficiency microfiber capture. Each region is optimized for its specific function, allowing the system to maintain low pressure consumption while effectively capturing microfibers.
3Reliability
If mesh filters are used to stop microfibers, then microplastic removal is improved, but the filters require frequent maintenance and have reduced operational lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The filter system is segmented into a coarse sieve structure and a fine mesh filter. The coarse sieve, which traps larger debris and prevents it from reaching the fine mesh, has a significantly longer operational lifespan. This segmentation protects the fine mesh from rapid clogging, extending the overall system operational lifespan while maintaining microplastic removal efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The coarse sieve structure performs preliminary filtration of larger particles and debris before the water reaches the fine mesh filter. This preliminary action prevents direct contact between the fine mesh and large particles, reducing clogging frequency and extending the operational lifespan of the entire filter system.
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 captures microplastics by regenerating filter pressure and preventing clogging, ensuring continuous operation and reducing the risk of flooding, while maintaining high filtration efficiency and extending filter lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
a sieve structure forming a permeable barrier between the inlet and the outlet to filter the fluid
Implementation Method 2
a nozzle assembly having at least one cleaning nozzle for directing fluid towards the outlet side of the sieve structure
Implementation Method 3
a bypass conduit having a valve is provided between the inlet and the outlet to provide an alternative route for fluid in the event that the flow of fluid is impeded
Data Source
AI summary
A separator prevents microplastics from entering the environment by regenerating the pressure consumption of filters for removing microplastics in effluent from any source but in particular removing microfibers from washing machine wastewater. The separator separates microplastics from an effluent and includes: a chamber with an inlet and an outlet, a sieve structure forming a permeable barrier between the inlet and the outlet to filter the effluent, the sieve structure thus having an inlet side for unfiltered effluent and an outlet side for filtered effluent, wherein a bypass conduit is provided between the inlet and the outlet to provide an alternative route for effluent in the event that the flow of fluid is impeded.