Anionic Flocculant Galactomannan Polysaccharide Wastewater Treatment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wastewater treatment methods using polyacrylamide-based flocculants are problematic due to toxicity concerns, particularly in closed water systems, and alternative methods like using water-soluble aluminum salts with polysaccharides do not achieve comparable flocculation effectiveness or viscosity increases.

Innovation Solution

An anionic flocculant comprising galactomannan and another polysaccharide, with specific bulk density, particle diameter ranges, and viscosity characteristics, derived from natural sources, is developed for effective flocculation without polyacrylamide-based compounds, combined with inorganic or cationic flocculants for enhanced treatment performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If polyacrylamide-based flocculant is used, then flocculation performance is improved, but toxicity of remaining acrylamide monomers increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflocculation performanceVSAvoidtoxicity of acrylamide monomers

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and removes the harmful acrylamide monomer component from the flocculation system while retaining the beneficial flocculation performance through the use of polyacrylic acid and its salts, which provide similar polymer chain structures for effective flocculation without the toxic monomer residue problem

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the problematic polyacrylamide-based flocculant with polyacrylic acid and its salts, which can be used at controlled dosages and do not require complete elimination of monomers, providing a safer alternative that maintains effectiveness without the long-term toxicity concerns

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If polysaccharide is used as alternative flocculant, then toxicity is reduced, but viscosity increase and flocculation effect are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovetoxicityVSAvoidflocculation effect

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention creates a composite flocculation system by combining polyacrylic acid or its salts with inorganic flocculants, leveraging the polymer's ability to form bridges between particles and the inorganic flocculant's rapid coagulation properties, achieving superior flocculation performance that exceeds what either component could achieve alone while maintaining low toxicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention optimizes the molecular weight, dosage concentration, and pH conditions of polyacrylic acid and its salts to maximize viscosity increase and flocculation effectiveness, transforming the parameters of the polymer system to achieve performance levels comparable to or exceeding polyacrylamide-based flocculants

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If inorganic flocculant and polysaccharide are used in combination, then toxicity is reduced, but viscosity increase degree is smaller

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovetoxicityVSAvoidviscosity increase

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention develops a composite system where polyacrylic acid or its salts work synergistically with inorganic flocculants, where the polymer component provides significant viscosity increase that enhances flocculation performance, while the inorganic component provides rapid initial coagulation, creating a balanced system that achieves both low toxicity and high effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 anionic flocculant provides excellent handling and flocculation performance, achieving higher viscosity and improved treatment outcomes in wastewater and sludge thickening applications, while avoiding the toxicity issues associated with polyacrylamide-based flocculants.

Implementation Method 1

a degree that the polysaccharide increases a viscosity of the treatment target water is smaller than a degree that the polyacrylamide-based flocculant increases a viscosity of the treatment target water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectViscosification:

Implementation Method 2

an inorganic flocculant and an organic synthesized polymer flocculant are used alone or in combination to flocculate and separate the inorganic matter in the treatment target water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlocculation: Flocculation

Data Source

PatentUS12122694B2Anionic flocculant, anionic flocculant production method, and treatment method

Publication Date: 2024.10.22 SUIDO KIKO KAISHA LTD

AI summary

An anionic flocculant including: galactomannan; and a polysaccharide other than the galactomannan, wherein the anionic flocculant has a bulk density of 0.50 g/cm3 or more but 1.00 g/cm3 or less, the anionic flocculant has a particle diameter D50 of 250 μm or more but 850 μm or less, and the anionic flocculant has a particle diameter D10 of 150 μm or more.