Liquid Polymer Suspension Stabilization with Alginate

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid polymer suspensions, particularly those containing high concentrations of dispersed polymers and monovalent cation salts, face challenges in maintaining stability and flowability over a wide temperature range and storage period, leading to phase separation and increased viscosity, which complicates handling and dilution in agricultural applications.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a polysaccharide alginate, such as sodium alginate or ammonium alginate, into the suspension to stabilize polymers like guar and synthetic polymers in saline solutions, maintaining them in a homogeneous state even under high saline concentrations and prolonged storage conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If concentrated formulations of polymer in dispersed form are prepared to reduce transportation costs, then economic efficiency is improved, but viscosity increases making the composition difficult to handle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepolymer concentrationVSAvoidhandleability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A salt is introduced as an intermediary substance that modifies the interaction between polymer particles and water. The salt affects the hydration shell around polymer particles, reducing inter-particle attraction and preventing aggregation, thereby maintaining low viscosity even at high polymer concentrations (5-50% w/w).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The chemical composition parameters of the suspension are modified by adding specific salts (such as calcium chloride, magnesium sulfate, or sodium chloride at concentrations of 0.1-10% w/w). This changes the ionic strength and hydration characteristics of the system, allowing concentrated formulations to remain fluid and easy to handle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Duration of action of stationary object

If concentrated polymer suspensions are stored for long periods, then economic efficiency is improved, but phase separation occurs reducing stability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage periodVSAvoidhomogeneity

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The salt acts as a stabilizing intermediary that prevents polymer particle aggregation during storage. By modifying the electrical double layer and hydration forces around polymer particles, the salt maintains colloidal stability and prevents sedimentation or phase separation over extended storage periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The salt is added in advance to create a protective ionic environment that cushions against destabilizing forces during storage. This pre-established ionic balance prevents polymer particles from aggregating or settling, ensuring long-term stability without requiring additional stabilizers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If polymers are added to agricultural compositions as anti-drift agents, then anti-drift properties are improved, but handling difficulty increases due to high viscosity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanti-drift effectVSAvoidmixability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The salt serves as a mixing intermediary that reduces viscosity and improves flow characteristics of the concentrated polymer suspension. This allows the anti-drift polymer to be easily mixed with agricultural compositions while maintaining its anti-drift functionality, solving both the reliability and ease of operation requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 addition of alginate ensures stable suspension of polymers, preventing phase separation and maintaining suitable viscosity, allowing for easy handling and effective dispersion after dilution, thereby enhancing the polymer's anti-rebound and anti-drift properties in agricultural compositions.

Implementation Method 1

Incorporating a polysaccharide alginate, such as sodium alginate or ammonium alginate, into the suspension to stabilize polymers like guar and synthetic polymers in saline solutions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolvation: Solvation

Implementation Method 2

The addition of alginate ensures stable suspension of polymers, preventing phase separation and maintaining suitable viscosity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSteric hindrance:

Implementation Method 3

maintaining them in a homogeneous state even under high saline concentrations and prolonged storage conditions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectViscoelasticity: Viscoelasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11547113B2Liquid polymer suspensions

Publication Date: 2023.01.10 SPECIALTY OPERATIONS FRANCE

AI summary

The present invention concerns a suspension of a polymer comprising, in addition to said polymer,a) a liquid medium;b) a monovalent cation salt;c) an alginate.