Calcium Propionate Sizing Composition for Corrosion Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Calcium chloride, commonly used in paper making for inkjet printing, contributes to corrosion of paper manufacturing parts due to uncontrolled chloride ion levels, and other calcium salts do not effectively enhance print quality while reducing corrosion.

Innovation Solution

Using calcium propionate alone or in combination with calcium chloride, which provides beneficial soluble calcium ions while being less corrosive, and incorporating additives like starch, optical brighteners, and defoamers to create a sizing composition that reduces corrosion and improves print quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If calcium chloride is used in paper sizing composition, then print quality is improved, but corrosion of manufacturing parts increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprint qualityVSAvoidcorrosion
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameter by substituting calcium chloride with calcium propionate, a different calcium salt that provides the necessary calcium ions for print quality without the corrosive chloride ions. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by maintaining print quality improvement while eliminating corrosion harm.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful effect of chloride ions into a benefit by using calcium propionate, which provides calcium ions (the beneficial component) without chloride ions (the harmful component). The invention transforms the problem of corrosion into an opportunity to use a superior calcium salt source.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If other calcium salts are used to reduce corrosion, then corrosion is reduced, but print quality enhancement is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecorrosionVSAvoidprint quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent identifies and changes the specific chemical parameter (calcium salt type) to calcium propionate, which uniquely satisfies both requirements: it reduces corrosion like other non-chloride calcium salts while simultaneously enhancing print quality through its specific chemical properties and solubility characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If chloride ion levels are not controlled, then paper making process is simpler, but corrosion contribution increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocess simplicityVSAvoidcorrosion
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the harmful chloride ion component from the calcium salt source by using calcium propionate instead of calcium chloride. This extraction eliminates the need for chloride ion control measures while maintaining process simplicity and reducing corrosion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 calcium propionate-based sizing composition significantly reduces corrosion on stainless steel and carbon steel while enhancing print quality, particularly in inkjet printing, by minimizing corrosive effects and maintaining suitable pH levels.

Implementation Method 1

calcium propionate...provides the beneficial effect of soluble calcium ions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSolubility: Solvation

Implementation Method 2

soluble calcium ions dissolve into the ink upon contact, and facilitate rapid flocculation of the ink pigment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlocculation: Flocculation

Implementation Method 3

calcium propionate...being less corrosive...significantly reduces corrosion on stainless steel and carbon steel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCorrosion resistance:

Implementation Method 4

compositions comprising a water-soluble salt of a divalent metal; a complexing agent having an affinity for the divalent metal; and an optical brightening agent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical brightening: Fluorescence

Data Source

PatentEP2986777B1A sizing composition
Publication Date: 2019.01.09 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP
  • EP2986777B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2986777B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2986777B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A sizing composition includes from about 3 kg/ton to about 15 kg/ton of calcium propionate, an additive, and a balance of water. The additive is selected from the group consisting of starch, an optical brightener, a biocide, a defoamer, a surface size agent, a wet strength additive, and combinations thereof. The sizing composition has a pH ranging from 7 to 8.