Colloidal Calcium Carbonate Adsorption in Papermaking

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Solution Overview

Problem

In papermaking processes, existing adsorbing materials like talc and surfactants often fail to effectively control the deposition of organic materials, leading to equipment contamination and reduced paper quality due to changes in temperature, pH, or electrolyte concentrations.

Innovation Solution

The use of colloidal precipitated calcium carbonate (cPCC) with a specific surface area of at least 5.0 m²/g, in the form of aggregates with a weight median particle diameter of 0.1 to 50.0 µm, which is surface-treated with aliphatic carboxylic acids and stabilized with dispersants, to adsorb and reduce organic materials in aqueous media.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing adsorbing materials like talc and surfactants are used to control organic material deposition, then equipment contamination is reduced, but effectiveness deteriorates under changes in temperature, pH, or electrolyte concentrations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeffectiveness of adsorbing materialsVSAvoidsensitivity to temperature, pH, electrolyte concentration changes
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the surface properties of calcium carbonate particles by treating them with specific surfactants and controlling their colloidal characteristics, creating an adsorbent that maintains effectiveness across varying temperature, pH, and electrolyte concentration conditions encountered in papermaking processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention combines calcium carbonate particles with surface-active agents to create a composite adsorbing system that leverages both the adsorption capacity of calcium carbonate and the interfacial activity of surfactants, providing reliable performance under diverse process conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Measurement precision

If membrane filtration is used to separate dissolved substances and droplets, then separation precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation precision of dissolved substances and dropletsVSAvoidcomplexity of membrane filtration system
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces colloidal calcium carbonate particles as an intermediary substance that selectively adsorbs organic materials from the aqueous medium, enabling separation without requiring complex membrane filtration infrastructure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the mechanical membrane filtration system with a chemical adsorption-based separation process using modified calcium carbonate particles, simplifying the overall separation system while maintaining effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If adsorbing materials are added to the papermaking process to remove organic materials, then paper quality is improved, but loss of substance increases due to material consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepaper qualityVSAvoidconsumption of adsorbing materials
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the dosing concentration and surface properties of calcium carbonate particles to achieve effective organic material removal at minimal dosages, reducing material consumption while maintaining paper quality standards

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The modified calcium carbonate particles are designed to selectively adsorb organic materials through their surface properties, enabling the system to self-regulate and remove contaminants efficiently without requiring excessive adsorbent addition

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

cPCC significantly reduces the amount of organic materials in papermaking processes, improving turbidity, chemical oxygen demand, and electrochemical charge, thereby enhancing paper quality and reducing equipment contamination.

Implementation Method 1

The present invention relates to the use of a colloidal precipitated calcium carbonate (cPCC) for adsorbing and/or reducing the amount of at least one organic material in an aqueous medium

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentEP2933375B1Adsorbing and/or reduction of the amount of organic materials in an aqueous medium by using colloidal precipitated calcium carbonate
Publication Date: 2018.12.19 OMYA INT AG
  • EP2933375B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2933375B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2933375B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention relates to the use of a colloidal precipitated calcium carbonate (cPCC) for adsorbing and/or reducing the amount of at least one organic material in an aqueous medium.