Depolymerized Carboxylated Cellulose for Mineral Grinding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dispersing agents for mineral suspensions, such as acrylic acid polymers, do not offer a sustainable alternative and are inefficient in terms of productivity and cost, particularly in reducing the molecular weight of carboxylated cellulose for effective grinding and dispersion applications.
Innovation Solution
Depolymerized carboxylated cellulose with a molecular weight between 10,000 and 40,000 g/mol and a high dry extract of 25-40% is used as a dispersing agent, obtained through a continuous process involving hydrogen peroxide and controlled temperature, allowing for efficient grinding and dispersion of mineral materials without the need for additional concentration steps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If carboxylated cellulose is used as a dispersing agent for mineral suspensions, then bio-sourced sustainability is improved, but the molecular weight reduction efficiency and productivity are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by systematically varying the oxidation time, temperature, and hydrogen peroxide concentration to achieve the optimal molecular weight range (10,000-40,000 g/mol) for depolymerized carboxylated cellulose. This controlled parameter adjustment enables efficient molecular weight reduction while maintaining high productivity and bio-sourced sustainability advantages over conventional acrylic acid polymers.
2Productivity
If depolymerization time is reduced to increase productivity, then the molecular weight reduction speed is improved, but the ability to obtain high solids solutions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuity of useful action through a controlled oxidation process that maintains optimal reaction conditions throughout the depolymerization. By continuously monitoring and controlling the oxidation parameters, the process achieves both rapid molecular weight reduction and high solids content (25-40%) in the final solution, resolving the contradiction between speed and concentration.
3Productivity
If conventional acrylic acid polymers are used as dispersing agents, then grinding efficiency is achieved, but sustainability and cost-effectiveness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of molecular weight by using depolymerized carboxylated cellulose with controlled molecular weight (10,000-40,000 g/mol) instead of conventional high molecular weight acrylic acid polymers. This parameter change maintains effective grinding efficiency while providing bio-sourced sustainability and cost advantages, directly addressing the contradiction between conventional effectiveness and sustainable alternatives.
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
This solution provides a high-solids content depolymerized carboxylated cellulose that enhances productivity and reduces costs by enabling effective grinding and dispersion of mineral materials, such as calcium carbonate, with improved particle size distribution and viscosity, suitable for various industrial applications.
Implementation Method 1
It is known to carry out the depolymerization of CMC, that is to say the reduction of its molecular weight, by means of an oxidative treatment. Document EP 0 465 992 (Aqualon Company) describes a process for depolymerizing CMC using hydrogen peroxide
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention concerns the use of depolymerised carboxylated celluloses as an agent for dispersing or assisting in the grinding of aqueous suspensions of mineral materials, intended for paint formulations, plastic formulations, detergent formulations, cosmetic formulations, paper formulations or paper coating slips.