Non-Toxic Colored Smoke Composition Using Sublimable Dyes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current smoke-producing compositions for colored smoke contain organic dyes from the anthraquinone family, which pose environmental and health risks due to potential toxicity and the production of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), and there is a need for non-toxic, high-performance alternatives that meet stability, burn time, and environmental compliance requirements.
Innovation Solution
A smoke-producing composition comprising potassium chlorate, lactose, and a non-salified sublimable organic dye with a sublimation temperature below 450°C and a decomposition temperature higher than the combustion temperature, selected from specific dye families such as thioxanthenes, nitrobenzamines, and phthalocyanines, which ensures efficient combustion, high smoke density, and non-toxicity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If organic dyes from the anthraquinone family are used in smoke-producing compositions, then colored smoke can be generated, but toxic combustion entities and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are produced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the harmful anthraquinone family dyes from the smoke-producing composition while retaining the essential function of colored smoke generation. This is achieved by substituting anthraquinone dyes with alternative organic dyes that do not produce toxic combustion entities or persistent organic pollutants, thus removing the harmful factor while preserving the useful function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameter of the organic dye from anthraquinone family compounds to alternative organic dyes with different molecular structures. This parameter change ensures that the new dyes have decomposition temperatures higher than the combustion temperature of the composition, preventing the formation of toxic combustion entities and POPs while still enabling colored smoke generation.
2Speed
If a dye with decomposition temperature less than combustion temperature is used, then the composition can ignite easily, but the dye is destroyed and generates toxic combustion entities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the decomposition temperature parameter of the organic dye by selecting dyes whose decomposition temperature is higher than the combustion temperature of the composition. This ensures that the dye remains stable during combustion and does not decompose into toxic combustion entities, while the composition still ignites at the appropriate speed due to the oxidizing/reducing couple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite approach by combining the oxidizing/reducing couple with organic dyes that have specific thermal stability characteristics. The composite formulation ensures that the dye survives the combustion process without decomposing into harmful substances, while maintaining the desired ignition properties of the overall composition.
3Power
If potassium chlorate is used as a reducer, then combustion efficiency is improved, but dioxin-type molecules may form from chlorine association
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses the potential formation of dioxin-type molecules by ensuring that the organic dye has a decomposition temperature higher than the combustion temperature. This converts the potentially harmful chlorine association into a benign process, as the stable dye structure prevents the formation of dioxin-type molecules even in the presence of chlorine from potassium chlorate, while maintaining high combustion efficiency.
4Ease of manufacture
If anthraquinone dyes are used to meet color requirements, then colored smoke performance is achieved, but environmental and health regulations (REACH) are violated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes anthraquinone family dyes from the composition to ensure compliance with environmental and health regulations such as REACH. By substituting these regulated substances with alternative organic dyes that do not produce persistent organic pollutants or toxic combustion entities, the composition maintains its colored smoke performance while achieving regulatory compliance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameter by selecting organic dyes with decomposition temperatures higher than the combustion temperature. This parameter change ensures that the alternative dyes do not decompose into harmful substances during combustion, thereby meeting both performance requirements and environmental/health regulation compliance without using anthraquinone family dyes.
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 achieves combustion efficiencies above 45%, visible smoke over 5 km, and excellent smoke density without generating harmful entities or non-biodegradable waste, meeting REACH regulations and ensuring safety for human health and the environment.
Implementation Method 1
The production of colored smoke from such compositions is based on a principle of sublimation. During the combustion of the oxidizing/reducing couple, the heat generated by the combustion causes the organic dye to change from the solid state to the gaseous state.
Implementation Method 2
Colored smokes are generated when the organic dye condenses in the atmosphere.
Implementation Method 3
During the combustion of the oxidizing/reducing couple, the heat generated by the combustion causes the organic dye to change from the solid state to the gaseous state.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to non-toxic smoke-producing compositions for producing colored smoke. In particular, the smoke-producing compositions are free from organic dyes from the family of anthraquinones (or derivatives). The smoke-producing compositions can be used to prepare pyrotechnic devices suitable for use in the military and civilian fields.