Filter unit with microwave resonatorPresented here is a filter unit that has one or multiple microwave resonators integrated into its filter material, whereby filter load can be monitored during operation. Thus, filter exchange intervals can be adjusted to actual filter capacity. ChallengeThe efficiency of filter units is essentially dependent on filter load with filtered particles. Several options to determine filter load exist. For example, pressure drop over the filter unit or its mass increase, due to load with filtered material, can be used as measures. Both methods are complex, for the latter for instance, the filtration process needs to be interrupted. If actual filter load can not be determined, filter units have to be exchanged or regenerated in certain time intervals that correlate with estimated load build-up that would compromise its proper funtion. A missing monitoring option therefore often leads to filter exchanges that are not yet necessary. Monitoring filter load during operation can thus help saving costs. Our SolutionPresented here is a filter unit that has one or multiple microwave resonators integrated into the filter material (Fig. 1):
Fig. 1 A) Schematic of a microwave resonator (5) integrated into a filter unit (1), consisting of conducting material (4), in form of an outer (6) and an inner ring (7), separated by a gap (8) of filter material (3), inside the filter layer (2). The resonator is coupled by two electromagnetic couplings (9, 10). B) Coupling in form of an autotransformator with a conducting connection between the outer (11) and inner conductor (12) of a coaxial cable (13), that spreads along a section of the outer ring (6) of the microwave resonator's (5) conducting material (4). (Source: Schimmack, Taute, Höft) Foreign material that is added into the electromagnetic field of a microwave resonator, shifts the resonance frequency of a triggered microwave and dampenes its resonance circuit (Fig. 2B/C). Thus, if a microwave resonator is part of a filter unit (Fig. 1/2A), the induced microwaves are affected by the accumulating filtered material, and it can thus be used to draw conclusions about filter load or even the composition of the filtered material itself. Integration of a microwave resonator into a filter unit can easily be accomplished by sewing or embroiding conductive material, in form of fibres or thin wires into (Fig. 2A), or by printing or spraying of it onto the filter material. Thus, production of such filter units, for example as disposable filters, can still be realized cost-effectively. Advantages
Applications
Development StatusSimulations were conducted and a prototype was built and measured (Fig. 2).
Fig. 2: Experimental measurement of a filter unit with integrated microwave resonator under load. A) Prototype of a respiratory filter unit (1) with a microwave resonator implemented into the filter material (2), consisting of an outer (3) and an inner ring (4). The microwave resonator is coupled via capacitive couplings (5, 6). C) Measured insertion loss of a microwave resonator-equipped filter unit under influence of an increasing load of beech particles. C) Plotted regression line, illustrating the measured frequency shift (MHz) under load with beech particles (mass in mg). (Source: Schimmack, Taute, Höft) Patent StatusDE patent granted: DE102017122809B3 Applicant: ReferencesRecent publication by the inventors: ContactDr. Tilmann Götze |
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