US 12,685,950 B2 · Charged particle filter and removal system

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to at least one embodiment of a filter that is configured to remove contaminants utilizing a first conductive mesh (e.g., first electrode) and a second conductive mesh (e.g., second electrode) that extends around the first conductive mesh. For example, the first conductive mesh may receive a first electrical signal and the second conductive mesh may receive a second electrical signal such that the first and second conductive meshes are oppositely charged from each other (e.g., the first conductive mesh is positively charged and the second conductive mesh is negatively charged). Anions that are present within the fluid or generated by an electrical field between the first and second conductive meshes may interact with the contaminants such that the contaminants are attracted to at least one of the first and second conductive meshes, respectively.

A system, comprising:

a conductive filter including:
a housing with an inner surface and a cavity delimited by the inner surface, the housing includes:
a first end;
a second end spaced apart from the first end;
a first fluid opening at the first end;
a second fluid opening at the second end;
a first backwash opening at the first end and spaced apart from the first fluid opening;
a second backwash opening at the second end and spaced apart from the second fluid opening;
and
a center axis;
a first cylindrical conductive mesh in the cavity of the housing, and the first cylindrical conductive mesh is configured to, in operation, act as a first electrode and a first filter, wherein the first cylindrical conductive mesh is made of a first metal material, and the first cylindrical conductive mesh includes:
a third end at which the first cylindrical conductive mesh terminates, the third end is in close proximity to the first fluid opening and the first backwash opening;
a fourth end at which the first cylindrical conductive mesh terminates, the fourth end is opposite to the third end, and the fourth end is in close proximity to the second fluid opening and the second backwash opening;
a second cylindrical conductive mesh in the cavity of the housing, the second cylindrical conductive mesh is between the first conductive mesh and the inner surface of the housing, the second cylindrical conductive mesh completely and fully surrounds the first cylindrical conductive mesh, and the second cylindrical conductive mesh is configured to, in operation, act as a second electrode and a second filter, wherein the second cylindrical conductive mesh is made of a second metal material, and the second cylindrical conductive mesh includes:
a fifth end at which the second cylindrical conductive mesh terminates, the fifth end is in close proximity to the first fluid the second fluid opening and the second backwash opening;
and
a sixth end at which the second cylindrical conductive mesh terminates, the sixth end is opposite to the fifth end, and the sixth end is in close proximity to the second fluid opening and the second backwash opening;
a first volume is defined and completely surrounded by the first cylindrical conductive mesh, the first volume being void;
a second volume is defined between the first cylindrical conductive mesh and the second cylindrical conductive mesh, the second volume completely spaces apart the first cylindrical conductive mesh from the second cylindrical conductive mesh, and the second volume completely surrounds the first cylindrical conductive mesh, the second volume being void;
and
a third volume is defined between the second cylindrical conductive mesh and the inner surface of the housing, and the third volume completely surrounds the second cylindrical conductive mesh, the third volume being void;
and
wherein the cavity of the housing, the first cylindrical conductive mesh, and the second cylindrical conductive mesh are concentric with the center axis;
a backwash fluid source in fluid communication with the first backwash fluid opening;
a first backwash valve between the backwash fluid source and the first backwash fluid opening;
a second backwash valve downstream from the second backwash opening;
a power supply electrically coupled to the first cylindrical conductive mesh and the second cylindrical conductive mesh;
one or more sensors configured to, in operation, monitor characteristics and qualities of the conductive filter;
and
a processing system in electrical communication with the one or more sensors, the first valve, the second valve, the first backwash valve, the second backwash valve, the one or more sensors, and the power supply, and the processing system is configured to, in operation:
monitor the characteristics and qualities of the conductive filter collected by the one or more sensors;
display the characteristics and qualities of the conductive filter collected by the one or more sensors;
when one or more of the characteristics or qualities are compliant with one or more selected thresholds indicating the conductive filter is unsaturated, a filtering process is allowed to continue being performed;
and
when one or more characteristics or qualities are non-compliant with the one or more selected thresholds indicating the conductive filter is saturated, a backwash process to regenerate or rejuvenate the conductive filter is initiated in which respective polarities of the first cylindrical conductive mesh and the second cylindrical conductive mesh are switched relative to each other
wherein a first fluid flow direction is utilized during the filtering process is in a first direction;
and
wherein a second fluid flow direction is utilized during the backwash process opposite to the first fluid flow direction.

35 more elements

Charged particle filter and removal system

Life of this patent

Charged particle filter and removal system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20