Anionic Polymer Composite for Paper Wet Strength and Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wet strength additives for paper products, such as polyamidoamine epichlorohydrin (PAE) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), face issues like high dosages required for effectiveness, poor retention, drainage problems, and microbiological growth, leading to operational inefficiencies and environmental concerns in paper production.
Innovation Solution
A polymer composition comprising an anionic polymer composite synthesized by polymerizing vinyl monomers in the presence of an anionic polysaccharide, providing improved wet and dry tensile strength and broad operating windows, which can be used with cationic additives to enhance retention and strength, and is more environmentally stable than CMC.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If high dosages of PAE resins are used to provide desired wet strength, then wet strength is improved, but PAE retention deteriorates and operational issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an anionic polymer as an intermediary substance that mediates between the cationic PAE resin and the pulp fibers. This anionic polymer acts as a bridge, improving PAE retention through electrostatic interactions while reducing the dosage required for achieving desired wet strength properties
2Strength
If high dosages of PAE resins are used to provide desired wet strength, then wet strength is improved, but drainage deteriorates due to un-retained PAE accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The anionic polymer serves as a mediator that enhances PAE retention, thereby reducing the amount of un-retained PAE that accumulates in the water system and causes drainage problems
3Strength
If CMC is used to provide wet and dry tensile strength improvement, then strength is improved, but handling complexity increases due to make-down requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a pre-hydrolyzed anionic polymer that can be directly applied without requiring expensive make-down units. This approach replaces the need for complex hydrolysis equipment while maintaining the strength-improving benefits of CMC-like polymers
4Strength
If CMC is used to provide wet and dry tensile strength improvement, then strength is improved, but operational reliability deteriorates due to filter plugging and microbiological growth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a pre-hydrolyzed anionic polymer in solution form that eliminates the need for storage and handling of dry CMC powder, thereby reducing operational issues related to filter plugging and microbiological growth while maintaining strength improvement benefits
5Ease of operation
If synthetic copolymers of acrylamide and acrylic acid are used as alternative to CMC, then ease of operation is improved, but strength performance deteriorates compared to CMC
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the parameters of synthetic polymers by controlling the hydrolysis degree and molecular weight of the anionic polymer, and by optimizing the ratio of anionic polymer to PAE resin, thereby achieving strength development comparable to or exceeding CMC while maintaining the ease of handling of synthetic polymers
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 new polymer composition delivers superior wet and dry strength performance with a broader operating window, improved retention, and reduced microbiological instability, addressing the limitations of existing additives while simplifying handling and reducing production costs.
Implementation Method 1
polymerizing vinyl monomers in the presence of an anionic polysaccharide
Implementation Method 2
the new polymer composition delivers superior wet and dry strength performance with a broader operating window, improved retention
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a polymer composition comprising an anionic polymer composite having a synthesized polymer portion and a polysaccharide portion, obtainable by polymerizing vinyl monomers in the presence of the polysaccharide. The present invention further relates to a strength system and methods of production and use in providing a paper product.