Aluminum Chlorohydrate Monohydrate Solution Dissolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercially available aluminum chlorohydrate (ACH) products face challenges in cold water conditions, inefficiency as flocculents, and high iron content, requiring additional processing steps and storage heating due to high freezing points, and conventional powder wetting systems fail to dissolve aluminum chlorohydrate monohydrate effectively.
Innovation Solution
A method involving heating water to 120-200°F to dissolve aluminum chlorohydrate monohydrate powder, agitating until clear, and optionally mixing with additional water to achieve a solution with specific aluminum oxide concentration, basicity, and reduced iron content, using a mixing system to maintain temperature and prevent gelation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If aluminum chlorohydrate dihydrate (ACHDH) solution is produced with 50% concentration, then the product achieves standard commercial availability, but the freezing point becomes 19-23°F requiring additional heating for winter storage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the hydration parameter of aluminum chlorohydrate from dihydrate (2H2O) to monohydrate (1H2O) form, which fundamentally alters the freezing point characteristics. This parameter change allows the solution to maintain 50% concentration while achieving a lower freezing point of -5°F to -10°F, eliminating the need for winter heating infrastructure.
2Manufacturing precision
If iron content is reduced below 150 ppm in ACH solution, then product purity is improved, but extra processing steps are required to remove iron
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates iron as a catalyst from the production process entirely. Instead of using iron-containing aluminum metal or adding iron catalysts, the process uses pure aluminum metal with hydrochloric acid, naturally producing ACH solutions with iron content below 10 ppm. This extraction approach achieves high purity without requiring additional iron removal processing steps.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional powder wetting systems are used to dissolve aluminum chlorohydrate monohydrate, then powder dissolution is attempted, but the system becomes filled with gel solids and ceases to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter during the dissolution process, specifically heating the water to between 140°F and 212°F before adding the monohydrate powder. This temperature parameter change prevents gel formation by ensuring the powder dissolves completely in hot water, maintaining system reliability and preventing operational failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-heating the water before contact with the monohydrate powder. This preliminary heating ensures the water is at the optimal temperature to prevent gel formation during dissolution, thereby maintaining system operability and preventing the accumulation of gel solids that would cause system failure.
4Ease of operation
If ACHDH powder is spray dried to produce solid form, then storage and handling are improved, but the product loses efficiency as a flocculent in cold water conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the hydration parameter from dihydrate to monohydrate form, which fundamentally alters the product's performance characteristics. The monohydrate form maintains superior flocculation efficiency in cold water conditions while still allowing for spray drying to produce free-flowing powder that is easy to store and handle, thus resolving the contradiction between storage convenience and functional efficiency.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution produces a more efficient and stable aluminum chlorohydrate product with lower freezing points, reduced iron content, and improved flocculation efficiency, tolerating freezing temperatures and maintaining usability for extended periods.
Implementation Method 1
heating water to at least 120° F. and less than 200° F.
Implementation Method 2
dissolving at least a portion of the aluminum chlorohydrate monohydrate powder into the heated water to form the solution of aluminum chlorohydrate
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for producing commercial strength solutions of aluminum chlorohydrate are provided. The method includes providing aluminum chlorohydrate monohydrate (ACHMH) powder, heating water to at least 120° F. and less than 200° F., and dissolving at least a portion of the ACHMH powder into the heated water to form the solution of aluminum chlorohydrate. The produced solution of aluminum chlorohydrate from the ACHMH powder has an aluminum oxide concentration ranging from about 18 wt % to about 27 wt %, has a basicity ranging from greater than 74% and less than 83%, and has a freezing point ranging from about 10° F. to about 16° F. The solution may also have an iron content of between about 0 to about 70 ppm as Fe.