Associative Polymer Cyclodextrin Solution Dissolution

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

High molecular weight polymers require large make down units and extended mixing times to achieve full dissolution, leading to increased spatial footprint and diminished polymer structure complexity, while reducing particle size for faster dissolution introduces costs and safety issues.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a mixture of associative polymer powder, cyclodextrin polymer, and solvent, where the powder is dry-cut to a median particle size of 200 microns to 10,000 microns, resulting in a solution with 90 wt.% to 99.9 wt.% associative polymer and 0.1 wt.% to 10 wt.% cyclodextrin polymer, facilitating improved dewatering and drainage without the need for fine grinding or low concentrations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If high molecular weight polymer powders are used to maintain complex polymer structure, then polymer structure complexity is improved, but dissolution time and spatial footprint increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepolymer structure complexityVSAvoiddissolution time

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces cyclodextrin polymer as an intermediary substance that facilitates the dissolution of high molecular weight associative polymer. The cyclodextrin polymer acts as a mediator that enables the main polymer to dissolve faster without requiring fine grinding, thus maintaining polymer structure complexity while reducing dissolution time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the concentration parameter by using high concentration solutions (90-99.9 wt% associative polymer) instead of traditional low concentration solutions. This parameter change, combined with the addition of cyclodextrin polymer, enables fast dissolution of high molecular weight polymers without requiring large make down equipment or extended mixing times.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If low concentration solutions are used to achieve full dissolution, then dissolution completeness is improved, but spatial footprint and equipment size increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedissolution completenessVSAvoidspatial footprint

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent fundamentally changes the concentration parameter from traditional low concentration solutions to high concentration solutions (90-99.9 wt% associative polymer). This parameter change, enabled by the cyclodextrin polymer additive, allows complete dissolution to be achieved in compact make down units with small spatial footprint, eliminating the need for large equipment associated with low concentration processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Speed

If particle size is reduced to accelerate dissolution, then dissolution speed is improved, but manufacturing cost and safety issues increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedissolution speedVSAvoidmanufacturing cost and safety

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The cyclodextrin polymer serves as an intermediary that enables fast dissolution without requiring particle size reduction. This intermediary approach achieves the desired dissolution speed while avoiding the manufacturing costs, safety hazards, and quality issues associated with fine grinding operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical approach of fine grinding with a chemical approach using cyclodextrin polymer. Instead of mechanically reducing particle size to accelerate dissolution, the chemical interaction between cyclodextrin and the associative polymer enables rapid dissolution of coarser particles, eliminating the need for expensive and hazardous grinding equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 reduces the need for large make down equipment, decreases mixing times, and maintains complex polymer structures, enhancing industrial process efficiency and safety.

Implementation Method 1

A solution comprising an associative polymer, a cyclodextrin polymer, and a solvent is provided... blending a mixture of the associative polymer powder, a cyclodextrin polymer, and a solvent to yield the solution

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInclusion complex formation:

Data Source

PatentUS11708481B2Solution comprising an associative polymer and a cyclodextrin polymer

Publication Date: 2023.07.25 ECOLAB USA INC

AI summary

A solution including an associative polymer, a cyclodextrin polymer, and a solvent is provided. The associative polymer is a powder in the absence of the solvent. Additionally, a method of making down an associative polymer powder to form a solution is provided. The method includes blending a mixture of the powder, a cyclodextrin polymer, and a solvent to yield the solution, wherein the powder includes particles having been dry-cut to a median particle size of from about 200 microns to about 10,000 microns. Additionally, a powder product is provided. The powder product includes from about 80 wt. % to about 99.9 wt. % associative polymer; and from about 0.1 wt. % to about 20 wt. % of a cyclodextrin polymer.