Improvement of a microfiber filter for domestic washing machines. (1st January 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Masselter, Tom; Schaumann, Uwe; Kampowski, Tim; Ulrich, Kim; Thielen, Marc; Bold, Georg; Speck, Thomas
• Is Part Of: Bioinspiration & biomimetics. Volume 18:Number 1(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-01-01
• Subjects: biomimetics -- microfibers -- TRIZ -- variable filtration -- washing machines; Biomimetics -- Periodicals; Biomedical materials -- Periodicals; Medical innovations -- Periodicals; Biomedical engineering -- Periodicals; 600
• DOI: 10.1088/1748-3190/acaba2
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1748-3182

Abstract

Abstract: The development of enhanced processes for filtration is one solution for stopping the increasing freshwater and sea pollution caused by microplastic and microfibers. Major contributors to micro-X pollution are domestic devices such as washing machines, which also hold a high technical potential for separating problematic soils from waste water during cleaning cycles. The focus of the present paper are the biomimetic development of a novel concept for filtration and removal of particles such as microfibers in conventional washing machines. To this goal, a TRIZ analysis yielded viable solutions for the major key issues. In a next step, measurements were made with various filters with and without ribbed structures. The results are promising for the incorporation in a filter concept that is easy to operate and cost-effective.