Improvement of a microfiber filter for domestic washing machines

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.

Automated summary

The development of enhanced filtration processes is a solution to combat the increasing pollution of freshwater and oceans caused by microplastics and microfibers. This study focuses on the biomimetic development of a new concept for filtering and removing particles such as microfibers in conventional washing machines. The use of TRIZ analysis led to feasible solutions for the major challenges, and the results of measurements with different filters showed promise for incorporating them into an easy-to-operate and cost-effective filter concept.