Cold Water Soluble Starch Composition for Paper Coating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aqueous starch compositions for paper-making are either unstable, highly viscous, or require low concentration solutions, leading to inefficiencies in handling, mixing, and increased costs due to excessive water use and energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
Aqueous compositions comprising a cold water soluble starch material, a viscosity inhibitor, and a hydrocolloid, which are mixed with water to create a stable and high dry solids content solution with reduced viscosity, suitable for coating compositions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If starch is solubilized to create aqueous composition, then the composition becomes stable and easy to handle, but the viscosity increases significantly making it gel-like and difficult to pump
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the molecular weight parameter of the starch by using acid hydrolysis to reduce it, thereby reducing the viscosity of the aqueous composition while maintaining stability. This allows the starch to remain soluble without becoming excessively viscous and gel-like.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different qualities to different parts of the starch molecule by selectively hydrolyzing certain bonds while preserving others, creating a starch with modified properties that balance solubility and viscosity characteristics for specific application needs.
2Ease of operation
If thinned starches with reduced molecular weight are used to reduce viscosity, then the composition becomes easier to handle, but the starch chain length and molecular weight are reduced which is important for certain applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent carefully controls the degree of hydrolysis to achieve a specific molecular weight reduction that balances ease of handling with sufficient chain length for application requirements. By adjusting hydrolysis time and acid concentration, optimal parameters are found.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial hydrolysis rather than complete hydrolysis, removing just enough molecular weight to improve handling while retaining sufficient chain length for the intended applications. This partial action achieves the desired balance.
3Ease of operation
If low concentration solutions are used to maintain reasonable viscosity, then the composition remains easy to handle, but excessive water use is required leading to higher packaging, transport and storage costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the concentration parameter by formulating stable high-concentration aqueous compositions (50-70% dry substance) that maintain reasonable viscosity through controlled starch modification, eliminating the need for excessive water use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite aqueous system combining modified starch with specific additives that enable high concentration formulations to maintain stability and handleability, achieving both high solids content and ease of operation.
4Quantity of substance
If high concentration aqueous compositions are used to reduce water use, then packaging and transport costs are reduced, but the viscosity increases making the composition difficult to pump and mix
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the starch molecular weight parameter through controlled acid hydrolysis, enabling high concentration formulations (50-70% dry substance) to maintain reduced viscosity and reasonable pumpability while maximizing dry solids content.
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 solution provides a stable, high-starch content composition with reduced viscosity, making it easier to handle and mix, while maintaining high dry solids content, thus improving the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of paper-making processes.
Implementation Method 1
the starch material is dispersed throughout the aqueous phase
Implementation Method 2
the resulting compositions will not be stable as the granules will sediment over time
Implementation Method 3
cold water soluble starch material
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
An aqueous composition comprising an aqueous phase and a cold water soluble starch material, characterized in that the aqueous phase comprises at least a viscosity inhibitor and a hydrocolloid; and in that the starch material is dispersed throughout the aqueous phase.