Choline Chloride Granules Prevent Caking Without Additives
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Solution Overview
Problem
Choline chloride powders tend to cake and bridge, leading to handling issues and equipment blockages due to their hygroscopic nature, even in controlled environments, and existing solutions often require additives that are difficult to remove or are not effective in the long term.
Innovation Solution
The development of three-dimensional shapes composed entirely of choline chloride, formed through compaction processes without additives, which maintain low water content and resist caking for extended periods in moisture-resistant packaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If choline chloride is stored as powder or granular material, then it is easy to handle initially, but it cakes and bridges forming hard lumps or solid masses that block equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameters of choline chloride by controlling water content to no more than 0.5% and defining specific particle size ranges (5-40 mm), transforming it from a caking-prone powder to a stable granular material that maintains flowability during storage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments choline chloride into discrete granular particles within specific size ranges, preventing the aggregation that leads to caking. This segmentation maintains individual particle independence, ensuring continued flowability and preventing bridge formation in storage equipment
2Reliability
If hydrophobic surface active compounds or cocrystallization are used to prevent caking, then caking problems are overcome, but these compounds remain in the final product or are difficult to remove
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for hydrophobic surface active compounds and cocrystallization agents by using alternative approaches: strict water content control (≤0.5%) and specific granular size ranges, achieving caking prevention without contaminating the final product
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables choline chloride to prevent its own caking through intrinsic property optimization (water content control and particle size specification) rather than requiring external additives, making the material self-stabilizing against aggregation
3Ease of manufacture
If choline chloride is exposed to high temperatures or humidity, then processing is facilitated, but caking is promoted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes specific parameter ranges for water content (≤0.5%) and particle size (5-40 mm) that create a stable state resistant to caking, allowing the material to withstand temperature and humidity variations during processing without aggregating
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure encompasses a composition comprising three-dimensional shapes, wherein each shape consists essentially of choline chloride, and methods of making such three-dimensional shapes.