Dissolving Cationic Starch with Polyelectrolyte Mediator

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Solution Overview

Problem

High cationic starches are difficult to dissolve in large quantities, forming lumps and viscous gel-like masses that are challenging to handle with conventional equipment, limiting their industrial application in papermaking.

Innovation Solution

A method involving an aqueous polyelectrolyte solution with a synthetic cationic polymer is used to dissolve high cationic starch, achieving a homogenous mixture with manageable viscosity, allowing for easy handling and transfer using existing equipment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If high cationic starches are used in large quantities, then the papermaking performance is improved, but the dissolution becomes difficult and forms lumps and viscous gel-like masses

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveamount of cationic starchVSAvoiddissolution ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a polyelectrolyte solution as an intermediary substance that facilitates the dissolution of high cationic starch. The polyelectrolyte solution acts as a mediator between the starch and water, enabling uniform dissolution without forming lumps or viscous masses, thus resolving the contradiction between using large quantities of starch and maintaining ease of dissolution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the dissolution system by introducing a polyelectrolyte solution with specific properties (charge density, concentration). This parameter change transforms the dissolution process, allowing high cationic starch to dissolve uniformly in large quantities without forming harmful structures, thereby resolving the contradiction between quantity and dissolution ease.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If high cationic starches are dissolved in large quantities, then the papermaking agent effectiveness is improved, but the viscosity becomes too high for normal pumping equipment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconcentration of cationic starchVSAvoidtransferability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The polyelectrolyte solution serves as a intermediary that enables the transfer of high cationic starch through normal pumping equipment. By acting as a carrier and modifying the rheological properties of the mixture, it maintains productivity while allowing high concentrations of starch to be transferred without equipment constraints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the physical parameters of the starch solution by introducing polyelectrolyte, which changes the viscosity and flow characteristics. This parameter change allows the mixture to maintain high starch concentration while remaining compatible with normal pumping equipment, thus resolving the contradiction between concentration and transferability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If conventional dissolving procedures are used for high cationic starch, then the dissolution process is simple, but the starch forms lumps and does not dissolve uniformly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedissolution process complexityVSAvoiduniformity of dissolution
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The polyelectrolyte solution acts as a intermediary that prevents lump formation during dissolution. It mediates the interaction between starch particles and water, ensuring uniform dissolution while maintaining process simplicity. The polyelectrolyte distributes starch particles evenly and prevents aggregation, resolving the contradiction between process simplicity and dissolution uniformity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical environment parameters by introducing polyelectrolyte, which modifies the dissolution behavior of cationic starch. This parameter change ensures uniform dissolution without forming lumps, while keeping the overall process simple. The polyelectrolyte alters the interfacial properties and dissolution kinetics, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and uniformity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Stability of the object's composition

If complicated dissolving procedures are employed, then the dissolution uniformity is improved, but the handling of industrial scale volumes becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuniformity of dissolutionVSAvoidhandling ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The polyelectrolyte solution serves as a intermediary that enables uniform dissolution while maintaining ease of handling at industrial scales. It mediates the dissolution process to achieve uniformity without requiring complicated procedures, and simultaneously maintains the mixture in a manageable state for industrial handling and transfer operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the solution parameters by introducing polyelectrolyte, which achieves uniform dissolution through parameter control rather than complicated procedures. This parameter change maintains the mixture in a state that is easy to handle at industrial scales, resolving the contradiction between uniformity and handling ease.

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 method enables the convenient and efficient dissolution of high cationic starch, facilitating its use in industrial-scale papermaking applications without the need for complex dissolving procedures or additional investment costs.

Implementation Method 1

obtaining an aqueous polyelectrolyte solution comprising a synthetic cationic polymer, which has a charge density value of at least 0.1 meq/g

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic repulsion: Ion Repulsion/Attraction

Implementation Method 2

dissolving the cationic starch to the polyelectrolyte solution by heating and/or by mixing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal energy: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS9580865B2Method for dissolving cationic starch, papermaking agent and its use
Publication Date: 2017.02.28 KEMIRA OY

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for dissolving cationic starch. In the method is obtained an aqueous polyelectrolyte solution comprising a synthetic cationic polymer, which has a charge density value of at least 0.1 meq/g, determined at pH3, the concentration of the cationic polymer in the polyelectrolyte solution being >2.5 weight-%, and the aqueous polyelectrolyte solution is brought together with cationic starch having a degree of substitution, DS, >0.1. The cationic starch is dissolved to the polyelectrolyte solution by heating and/or mixing. The invention relates also to a papermaking agent comprising 2-40 weight-% of synthetic cationic polymer which has a charge density value of at least 0.1 meq/g, determined at p H 3, and 2.5-25 weight-% cationic starch having degree of substitution, DS, >0.1. The papermaking agent is in slurry form and has a viscosity of 50-20 000 m Pas, measured at 25° C. with Brookfield DVI+ viscometer.