Choline Chloride Composition Moisture Caking Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Choline chloride powders tend to cake and bridge together, leading to handling difficulties and manufacturing issues due to their extreme hygroscopic nature, even in closed, temperature-controlled packaging.

Innovation Solution

A non-caking and free-flowing composition comprising choline chloride and at least one additive, such as a humectant or lubricant, that prevents moisture caking and ensures free-flowing properties under ambient conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If choline chloride is stored in closed, temperature-controlled packaging, then storage stability is improved, but caking still occurs due to extreme hygroscopic nature

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage stabilityVSAvoidcaking

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A desiccant material is introduced as an intermediary substance that actively absorbs moisture from the environment and prevents it from reaching the choline chloride. This mediator protects the choline chloride from hygroscopic caking while allowing the product to maintain its functional properties during storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The packaging system creates an inert environment by incorporating a desiccant that maintains low humidity levels within the package. This inert atmosphere prevents moisture-induced caking while allowing the choline chloride to remain stable under normal storage conditions without requiring active temperature control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

2Temperature

If choline chloride particles are exposed to high temperatures or humidity, then caking is promoted, but handling becomes difficult due to solid mass formation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature exposureVSAvoidhandling

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The desiccant acts as a protective intermediary that absorbs moisture before it can reach the choline chloride particles. This prevents the particles from bonding together through moisture-induced caking, thereby maintaining ease of handling even when exposed to temperature fluctuations or humidity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The desiccant performs preliminary moisture absorption action before the choline chloride can undergo caking. By pre-absorbing moisture from the environment, the system prevents the harmful bonding process from occurring, thus maintaining particle flowability and ease of handling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Quantity of substance

If choline chloride is packaged without additives, then product purity is maintained, but flowability deteriorates due to caking and bridging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct purityVSAvoidflowability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The desiccant serves as a functional additive that mediates between the choline chloride and the environment. It improves flowability by preventing moisture-induced caking while maintaining product purity, as the desiccant remains separate and does not contaminate the choline chloride.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The desiccant creates an inert, low-humidity environment within the package that prevents moisture from reaching the choline chloride. This maintains both the purity of the choline chloride and its flowability, as the inert atmosphere prevents bonding while the desiccant itself remains isolated from the product.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

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 composition remains non-caking and free-flowing for extended periods, even under ambient temperature fluctuations, maintaining a low free moisture value and preventing the formation of hard lumps or solid masses.

Implementation Method 1

the humectant has the ability to take up at least 5% water at 25° C., at 15% relative humidity, within 15 hours

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

a hydrophobic compound that reduces or slows the deliquescence behavior of the composition at ambient conditions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrophobicity: Hydrophobe

Implementation Method 3

The at least one additive of the disclosed composition may include a lubricant. In some examples the lubricant may be magnesium stearate, calcium stearate, or fumed silica

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Data Source

PatentUS12274994B2Choline chloride compositions

Publication Date: 2025.04.15 BALCHEM CORP

AI summary

The present disclosure encompasses a non-caking, free-flowing composition comprising choline chloride.