Brine Sludge Composite for Flexible Radiation Shielding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing processes for converting brine sludge waste into radiation shielding materials are energy-intensive, costly, and do not produce flexible, moldable products, limiting their application spectrum, and do not effectively utilize raw materials like bismuth oxide and polymeric compounds.

Innovation Solution

A dual chem-heat treated brine sludge composition is developed through synergistic chemical reactions involving brine sludge, sodium hexametaphosphate, bismuth oxide, and polymeric compounds, using a solvent-free process that includes grinding, heating, and rolling to create a homogeneous, multi-component, multi-phased material.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional high-temperature sintering process is used to process brine sludge, then radiation shielding material can be produced, but energy consumption increases and processing time extends

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradiation shielding material productionVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the processing parameters from conventional high-temperature sintering to a two-stage chem-heat treatment process with temperatures of 900-1000°C for 1-1.5 hours followed by 120-130°C for 6-9 minutes, optimizing both energy efficiency and material properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary chemical treatment with sodium hexametaphosphate and bismuth oxide before the final heating stage, preparing the brine sludge matrix in advance to reduce the energy required in the subsequent processing stage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If conventional sintering process is used, then radiation shielding material can be produced, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradiation shielding material productionVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary chemical treatment with sodium hexametaphosphate and bismuth oxide before the final heating stage, preparing the brine sludge matrix in advance to reduce the energy required in the subsequent processing stage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the processing parameters from conventional high-temperature sintering to a two-stage chem-heat treatment process with temperatures of 900-1000°C for 1-1.5 hours followed by 120-130°C for 6-9 minutes, optimizing both energy efficiency and material properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If conventional processing methods are used, then radiation shielding material can be produced, but the product is hard and non-flexible, limiting application spectrum

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradiation shielding material productionVSAvoidapplication spectrum
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a final low-temperature treatment at 120-130°C for 6-9 minutes that transforms the material properties from hard and brittle to flexible and moldable, expanding application possibilities while maintaining radiation shielding effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite material system incorporating brine sludge, sodium hexametaphosphate, bismuth oxide, and polymeric compounds that combines the radiation shielding properties of inorganic materials with the flexibility of organic polymers

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Reliability

If conventional processing is used, then radiation shielding material can be produced, but material utilization efficiency decreases and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradiation shielding material productionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes brine sludge, an industrial waste product, as the primary raw material, converting a disposal problem into a valuable resource and eliminating the need to purchase expensive virgin materials

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes the chemical reaction conditions and heating parameters to maximize the utilization of each component, ensuring complete reaction of brine sludge with sodium hexametaphosphate and bismuth oxide to form the desired composite material

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

The process produces flexible, functional, and moldable radiation shielding materials with uniform matrix, addressing environmental disposal issues and reducing costs, while expanding application possibilities.

Implementation Method 1

synergistic and simultaneous chemical reactions among the various reactants of the design mix of the chemical precursor of brine sludge

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical reactions: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

high-temperature sintering during the processing of the raw materials

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS20250385018A1Composition comprising dual chem-heat treated brine sludge waste for flexible and moldable material and a process for the preparation thereof
Publication Date: 2025.12.18 COUNCIL OF SCI & IND RES

AI summary

The present invention provides a composition for material comprising brine sludge waste and a process for the preparation thereof process for preparation of flexible, functional, and moldable material using advanced Chem-heat treated brine sludge-based composition via solvent-free route for developing samples of various dimensions. The present invention involves developing desired, suitable, and appropriate phases possessing uniform and homogenous matrix in the developed material. Thus, designing molecular moieties in the developed process leads to forming tightly bound three-dimensional structures, strengthening the developed advanced chemically designed material which is cost-effective, non-toxic, highly versatile (can be bent or shaped to fit around curves and corners), durable, easy to install, safe with superior performance and economically feasible advanced flexible, functional and moldable material with a homogeneous uniform matrix using advanced dual chem-heat treated brine sludge based composition for a broad application spectrum.