Organic Amine Salt Foamer for Polyurethane Foam
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current polyurethane foaming agents, such as chlorofluorocarbons and carbon dioxide, face issues with ozone layer damage, high production costs, and difficulties in uniform dispersion, leading to suboptimal thermal insulation and structural integrity in polyurethane foams.
Innovation Solution
A composite foaming agent combining hexafluorobutene with an organic alkanolamine salt mixture, which improves thermal insulation and deformation resistance, and a method using organic amines to enhance CO2 solubility and uniformity in polyurethane foaming processes, reducing equipment pressure and improving cell distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If chlorofluorocarbons are used as foaming agents, then good thermal insulation performance is achieved, but ozone layer damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the foaming agent by using hydrogen fluorocarbon compounds (HFCs) with specific molecular structures (R-134a, R-123, R-125) that have different ozone depletion characteristics compared to traditional CFCs, thereby maintaining thermal insulation performance while reducing ozone layer damage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite foaming agents combining multiple HFC components (such as R-134a and R-123 mixtures) to achieve optimal balance between thermal insulation properties and environmental compatibility, replacing single-component CFC systems with multi-component HFC formulations
2Object-affected harmful factors
If carbon dioxide is used as foaming agent, then environmental friendliness is improved, but uniform dispersion in raw materials is difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a miscibility promoter as an intermediary substance that facilitates the mixing and uniform dispersion of CO2 gas with polyol raw materials, enabling better integration of CO2 into the foam matrix while maintaining environmental benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adjusts process parameters such as pressure, temperature, and mixing intensity to optimize CO2 dispersion, and modifies the chemical parameters of the foam formulation by adding miscibility promoters to enhance solubility and distribution of CO2 throughout the polyol matrix
3Ease of manufacture
If water is used as foaming agent, then cost is reduced, but hydrogen bonding effect causes local excessive reaction and poor solubility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the foaming agent composition by replacing pure water with HFC-based foaming agents or CO2 mixed with miscibility promoters, changing the chemical parameters to eliminate hydrogen bonding issues while maintaining cost-effectiveness through efficient foaming performance
4Temperature
If hexafluorobutene is used as foaming agent, then good low-temperature performance is achieved, but production cost and sales price are high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive hexafluorobutene with more cost-effective HFC alternatives (R-134a, R-123, R-125) that can achieve comparable or superior low-temperature foam stability at lower costs, using economically viable foaming agents that do not require premium pricing
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 composite foaming agent achieves better thermal insulation and deformation resistance, especially at low temperatures, while the organic amine method ensures uniform CO2 dispersion, resulting in improved polyurethane foam quality with reduced shrinkage and enhanced mechanical strength.
Implementation Method 1
the organic amine forms a soluble complex with carbon dioxide
Implementation Method 2
the alkanolamine salt compound (MAA)... decomposes to release carbon dioxide
Implementation Method 3
uses gaseous carbon dioxide, liquid carbon dioxide and/or supercritical carbon dioxide as foaming agents
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an organic amine salt foaming agent, that is, a composite polyurethane foaming agent, comprising: 1) hexafluorobutene; and 2) an alkanolamine salt mixture (MAA), the alkanolamine salt mixture (MAA) contains an organic amine salt compound having the following general formula (I): An−[Bm+]p (I); wherein An− is one or two or three selected from the following anions: (b) carbonate: CO32−; (c) formate: HCOO−; (d) bicarbonate: HO—COO−. A polyurethane foaming method using carbon dioxide and an organic amine in combination is also disclosed, in which carbon dioxide is added to a polyurethane composition for foaming. A method for preparing an alkanolamine carbonate salt with low water content from ammonium carbonate and an epoxide is additionally disclosed, in which a liquid alkanolamine salt mixture is used as a dispersion medium or as a solvent for reaction raw material.