# US 11,439,932 B2 · System and method for engineered ceramic packages for use in fluid treatment technologies > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,439,932 B2 - Document ID: US11439932B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/739,830 - Filed: 2020-01-10 - Published: 2020-07-16 - Granted: 2022-09-13 - Earliest claimed: 2019-01-11 - Assignees: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC - Applicants: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC - Inventors: James Patrick Kelly; Jeffery J. Haslam; Mark Mitchell - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11439932B2 ## CPC - B01D 15/10: characterised by constructional or operational features - B01D 39/06: Inorganic material, e.g. asbestos fibres, glass beads or fibres - B01D 24/10: the filtering material being held in a closed container - B01D 46/0013: {Modules} - B01D 46/12: in multiple arrangements - B01D 46/2455: {of the whole honeycomb or segments} - B01D 46/546: {using nano- or microfibres} - B01D 67/00045: {by additive layer techniques, e.g. selective laser sintering [SLS], selective laser melting [SLM] or 3D printing} - B01D 67/00415: {by additive layer techniques, e.g. selective laser sintering [SLS], selective laser melting [SLM] or 3D printing} - B01D 71/024: {Oxides} - B01J 35/58: Fabrics or filaments - B01J 35/657: {larger than 1000 nm} - B01J 37/0009: {Use of binding agents; Moulding; Pressing; Powdering; Granulating; Addition of materials ameliorating the mechanical properties of the product catalyst} - B01J 37/342: {of electric, magnetic or electromagnetic fields, e.g. for magnetic separation} - D01D 5/003: {the material being a polymer solution or dispersion (D01D5/0053 takes precedence)} - D01D 5/0076: {characterised by the collecting device, e.g. drum, wheel, endless belt, plate or grid (D01D5/0046 takes precedence)} - B01D 2265/021: Anti-rotational means - B01D 2323/39: Electrospinning - D10B 2505/04: Filters - B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28) - B01J: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS - D01D: MECHANICAL METHODS OR APPARATUS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ARTIFICIAL FILAMENTS, THREADS, FIBRES, BRISTLES OR RIBBONS - D10B: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES ## Abstract The present disclosure relates to a fluid modification system having a container structure and a plurality of independent, ceramic elements. The ceramic elements may be arranged in random orientations and contained in the container structure, thus causing a fluid flow entering the container structure at any given cross-section location to flow over the surfaces of a first subplurality of the ceramic elements, and through the porous walls of a second subplurality of the ceramic elements, before exiting at a second location of the container structure. Each one of the ceramic elements has at least one of a nanofibrous or nanoporous microstructure to enable internal flow both through a wall structure thereof, and over and around the wall structure to affect performance. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A fluid modification system comprising: a container structure; a plurality of independent, ceramic elements arranged in random orientations and contained in the container structure, thus causing a fluid flow entering the container structure at any given cross-section location to flow over surfaces of a first subplurality of the ceramic elements, and through porous walls of a second subplurality of the ceramic elements, before exiting at a second location of the container structure; each one of the ceramic elements forming a self-supporting, circumferential geometry at least one of a nanofibrous or nanoporous microstructure to enable internal flow both through the nanofibrous or nanoporous wall structure, and over and around the nanofibrous or nanoporous wall structure to affect performance; and the nanofibrous or nanoporous microstructure being formed from a plurality of randomly oriented, intersecting, nominally continuous nanofibrous strands, imparting sufficient strength to the ceramic elements to enable the ceramic elements to hold an initially formed circumferential shape when placed in the container structure. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the container structure comprises a plurality of independent container structures, and wherein the plurality of independent container structures is one or more of: ordered in parallel so as to be paneled, one adjacent another; or ordered in series so as to be stacked on one another. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the ceramic elements comprises a ceramic mini-tube with at least one of the following features: a tubular shape; or a solid, cylindrical shape; or a toroidal shape. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3, wherein the plurality of randomly oriented, intersecting, nominally continuous nanofibrous strands create pores about 1 μm in size. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3, wherein at least one of the ceramic mini-tubes has a diameter of about 1.0 mm-2.0 mm and length of about 1.0 mm to 3.0 mm. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second subpluralities of the ceramic elements comprise one of the following: a combination of different shapes; or a combination of different materials; or contain at least one subplurality with a sensing capability. ### Claim 7 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3, wherein the ceramic mini-tube comprises a nanofibrous structure, and where the nanofibrous structure includes a plurality of nanofibers each having a diameter of between about 15 nm and 500 nm. ### Claim 8 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3, wherein the ceramic mini-tube comprises nanofibers with a functionalized surface. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the ceramic elements is comprised of nanofibers with a functionalized surface. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, wherein the functionalized surface is functionalized to perform at least one of the following features: support a catalyst; or preferentially capture a targeted material. ### Claim 11 A fluid modification element comprising: a ceramic mini-tube having a diameter of at least about 0.5 mm; and the ceramic mini-tube having a nanofibrous construction comprised of a plurality of randomly orientated, intersecting, nominally continuous ceramic nanofibers forming a circumferential element of sufficient strength to hold an initially formed shape when placed in a structure with other ones of the ceramic mini-tube. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The fluid modification element of claim 11, wherein the ceramic mini-tube comprises at least one of the following features: ceramic nanofibers each with diameters near 100 nm; a cylindrical geometry; length no longer than 5 mm; wall thickness of at least about 100 μm, and no more than about 400 μm; or formed by at least one of electrospinning, melt spinning, or blowing. ### Claim 13 A fluid modification system comprising: a container structure; a plurality of independent, circumferential ceramic elements arranged in random orientations and contained in the container structure, thus causing a fluid flow entering the container structure at any given cross-section location to flow over surfaces of a first subplurality of the ceramic elements, and through porous walls of a second subplurality of the ceramic elements, before exiting at a second location of the container structure; and each one of the ceramic elements forming a self-supporting geometry having a cylindrical shape, including at least one of a nanofibrous or nanoporous microstructure formed from a plurality of randomly oriented, intersecting, nominally continuous nanofibrous strands, imparting sufficient strength to the ceramic elements to enable the ceramic elements to hold an initially formed circumferential shape, and where the nanofibrous or nanoporous microstructure enables internal flow both through and over the nanofibrous or nanoporous wall microstructure.