High Molecular Weight Anionic Polymers for Paper Drainage

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Solution Overview

Problem

The paper industry faces challenges in improving paper quality, increasing productivity, and reducing manufacturing costs, particularly in the drainage and retention of fine solids during the papermaking process, where existing chemicals are inefficient in enhancing drainage and retention, leading to energy consumption and potential deposit buildup in recirculating white water loops.

Innovation Solution

The development of water-compatible polymers with specific molecular structures, including ethylenically unsaturated monomers substituted with aryl groups and sulfur-containing moieties, which are anionic and have a weight average molecular weight of 5 million or greater, are used as retention and drainage aids in cellulosic fiber compositions to improve drainage and retention in papermaking processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional chemicals are used as retention and drainage aids, then the papermaking process can proceed, but drainage efficiency is insufficient and fine solids retention is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrainage efficiencyVSAvoidfine solids retention

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the molecular weight parameter of the polymer from conventional low molecular weight to high molecular weight (5 million or greater), which fundamentally alters the polymer's ability to interact with fine solids and enhance drainage efficiency simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite polymer structure combining ethylenically unsaturated monomers with aryl groups and sulfur-containing moieties, creating a material that integrates both retention and drainage functions that conventional single-function chemicals cannot achieve

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If existing retention and drainage aids are used, then papermaking can be performed, but energy consumption increases due to insufficient dewatering

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedewatering efficiencyVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The high molecular weight polymer performs preliminary dewatering action on the cellulosic fiber slurry before the sheet is formed, removing a significant portion of water during the drainage stage and reducing the energy burden on subsequent pressing and drying operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

By changing the polymer molecular weight parameter to 5 million or greater, the polymer achieves superior dewatering performance that reduces energy consumption in later processing stages

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If conventional chemicals are used in the papermaking process, then production can continue, but deposit buildup occurs in recirculating white water loops

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous productionVSAvoiddeposit buildup

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The high molecular weight polymer is designed to be effectively removed from the white water loop through filtration and recycling systems, preventing deposit buildup while maintaining continuous production capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Solution Approach 2:

The polymer's high molecular weight parameter (5 million or greater) enables it to be more effectively separated from the recirculating white water, preventing the deposit buildup that occurs with conventional lower molecular weight chemicals

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

These polymers significantly enhance drainage and retention in cellulosic fiber compositions, leading to improved paper quality, reduced energy consumption, and minimized deposit buildup, thereby addressing the limitations of existing retention and drainage aids.

Implementation Method 1

the polymer has a weight average molecular weight of about 5 million or greater. Preferably, such polymers are anionic

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic interaction: Electrostatics

Implementation Method 2

Water-compatible polymers comprising a polymer segment formed from at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer (A) substituted with at least one aryl group and at least one —S(═O)2OR1 or —OS(═O)2(O)pR1 moiety

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSteric effect:

Implementation Method 3

Without adequate retention of the fine solids, they are either lost to the method effluent or accumulate to high levels in the recirculating white water loop

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption