Cellulose Ether Powder Cold Water Clump Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cellulose ether powders in cold water form clumps due to immediate dissolution and surface agglomeration, leading to viscosity barriers and slow dissolution rates, which existing methods fail to address effectively without introducing bitterness or increasing surfactant amounts.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the sequential addition of a surfactant solution followed by a tannin solution to water-soluble cellulose ether particles, with specific surfactants and tannin amounts, to prevent clump formation and ensure rapid dissolution in cold water without bitterness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If cellulose ether powder is directly added to cold water, then the powder dissolves quickly, but clumps form due to surface dissolution and particle attraction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by coating the cellulose ether particles with a surfactant solution before dissolution. This pre-treatment modifies the particle surface properties, creating a hydrophilic layer that prevents immediate surface dissolution and particle attraction. The surfactant coating is applied in advance to ensure uniform dispersion and prevent clump formation during the subsequent dissolution process in cold water.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a large amount of surfactant is added to prevent clumping, then dissolution improves, but the cost and complexity of the formulation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the surfactant concentration to a specific range (0.1-5% by weight) and controlling the HLB value within 3-17. This precise parameter optimization ensures effective clump prevention while avoiding the need for excessive surfactant amounts. The method transforms the formulation from a complex high-surfactant system to a simplified optimized system with controlled parameters.
3Stability of the object's composition
If tannin is added to improve dissolution, then water-solubility increases, but bitterness is introduced to the final product
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by using a minimal amount of tannin (0.01-1% by weight) only as a temporary aid during the dissolution process. The tannin serves its purpose of improving water-wettability and preventing clump formation, but is used in such small quantities that its bitter taste does not significantly affect the final product. The tannin essentially serves its function and is effectively 'discarded' in terms of sensory impact.
4Speed
If the particle surface is made highly dissolvable, then initial dissolution is fast, but particles attract each other and form large agglomerates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the intermediary principle by introducing a surfactant as a mediating substance between the cellulose ether particles and water. The surfactant coats the particle surfaces, creating a hydrophilic interface that maintains fast dissolution while simultaneously providing steric and electrostatic repulsion between particles. This intermediary layer prevents particle attraction and agglomerate formation, allowing both fast dissolution and small particle size to coexist.
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 safe and easy preparation of cellulose ether particle powders that are free of bitterness and readily dissolvable in cold water, preventing clump formation and maintaining solubility even at high concentrations.
Implementation Method 1
adding a surfactant solution to surfaces of water-soluble cellulose ether particles
Implementation Method 2
The surfactant has a HLB in the range of 14 to 19
Implementation Method 3
adding a tannin solution thereto
Data Source
AI summary
Cellulose ether powder is prepared in a safe and easy way by first adding a surfactant solution to surfaces of water-soluble cellulose ether particles, and then adding a tannin solution thereto. The powder thus prepared is free of bitterness and readily dissolvable in cold water without forming clumps.