Anti-foaming Agent Dissolution Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current recycling processes face challenges in selectively dissolving compounds of interest while controlling gas release and explosion risks during chemical attacks, particularly in the recycling of nuclear materials, where the dissolution of certain compounds leads to gas production and poses safety hazards.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating anti-foaming agents such as hydrophobic solid particles, silicone oils, or polar oils into the dissolution solution to inhibit the growth of gas bubbles, thereby slowing down or stopping the dissolution of compounds that produce gases without affecting the dissolution of other compounds that do not generate gases.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If strong acids are used to dissolve compounds of interest during recycling processes, then the dissolution rate is improved, but gas release and explosion risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedissolution rateVSAvoidgas release and explosion risks
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A surfactant is introduced as an intermediary substance that modifies the interface between the solid compound and the dissolving solution. The surfactant forms a protective layer on the solid surface that controls gas bubble formation and release, thereby reducing explosion risks while maintaining efficient dissolution of the compound of interest.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The chemical composition of the dissolving solution is modified by adding a surfactant, which changes the interfacial tension and gas release characteristics. This parameter change allows the system to maintain high dissolution rates while controlling harmful gas release through altered bubble nucleation and growth behavior.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If chemical attack steps are intensified to prioritize dissolution of compounds of interest, then selective dissolution is improved, but gas generation and safety risks worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveselective dissolutionVSAvoidgas generation
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The surfactant acts as a mediator that selectively interacts with the solid compound surface during chemical attack. It modifies the reaction interface to promote selective dissolution of target compounds while simultaneously controlling gas bubble formation, thereby achieving both selective dissolution and gas generation control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful gas generation is separated from the dissolution process by introducing the surfactant, which extracts or captures gas bubbles at the interface. This allows the dissolution reaction to proceed selectively while the gas is managed separately through controlled bubble formation and release mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Device complexity

If conventional dissolution processes are used without surfactants, then process simplicity is maintained, but gas bubble control and safety are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocess simplicityVSAvoidgas bubble control
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A surfactant is introduced as a simple additive that serves as an intermediary to control gas bubble behavior. This single substance modification provides effective bubble control without requiring complex equipment or multi-step procedures, thereby maintaining process simplicity while improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The addition of surfactant changes the physical-chemical parameters of the dissolving solution, specifically the surface tension and interfacial properties. This parameter change enables effective gas bubble control through altered nucleation and growth dynamics, achieving improved reliability with minimal process complexity increase.

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

This approach allows for the selective dissolution of compounds, reducing gas production and associated risks, while maintaining the dissolution rate of non-gas-producing compounds, thus enhancing safety and efficiency in recycling processes.

Implementation Method 1

The method according to the invention is based on the presence of at least one antifoaming agent in this dissolving solution

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAntifoaming agent action: Antifoam

Implementation Method 2

Incorporating anti-foaming agents such as hydrophobic solid particles, silicone oils, or polar oils into the dissolution solution to inhibit the growth of gas bubbles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrophobic interaction: Hydrophobe

Data Source

PatentEP3414025B1Method for slowing the dissolution of a compound using an Anti-foaming agent
Publication Date: 2021.11.10 COMMISSARIAT A LENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
  • EP3414025B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3414025B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3414025B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The present invention concerns a method for preventing, slowing or stopping the dissolution of a compound generating a gas when it is brought into contact with a dissolution solution, and doing so, optionally, with respect to the dissolution of another compound that does not generate any gas when it is brought into contact with said same dissolution solution, the method comprising the addition, to the dissolution solution, of at least one anti-foaming agent chosen from the group consisting of solid hydrophobic particles, silicone oils, polar oils and the mixtures of same.