Fluidized Bed Granulation of Organometallic Complexes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing processes for producing organometallic complexes in powder form, such as spray-drying and vacuum drying, result in high hygroscopicity leading to caking or deliquescence, making them unsuitable for uniform mixing in animal feed due to inconsistent and reproducible quality.
Innovation Solution
A fluidized bed technique is used to granulate and dry an aqueous solution of organometallic complexes, controlling particle size and moisture content to produce crystalline powders with reduced hygroscopicity, ensuring stability and dispersibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If spray-drying technique is used to produce organometallic complexes in powder form, then the product is obtained with very fine particle size and low water content, but the product exhibits very high hygroscopicity leading to caking or deliquescence
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical-chemical parameters of the drying process by using fluidized bed drying with controlled temperature (50-150°C) and extended drying time, transforming the product from amorphous to crystalline form with controlled particle size (50-500 μm), thereby reducing hygroscopicity while maintaining manufacturability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes phase transition from amorphous to crystalline state during the drying process in fluidized bed, where the controlled evaporation of water promotes crystal formation, fundamentally changing the physical structure and reducing hygroscopic properties of the organometallic complex powder
2Manufacturing precision
If vacuum drying is used to produce crystalline powders with controlled moisture content, then the product quality is improved, but the manufacturing time becomes very long leading to high costs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements continuous fluidized bed drying process where hot air continuously flows through the bed of wet powder, maintaining constant drying action without interruption, thereby achieving both controlled moisture content and reduced processing time compared to batch vacuum drying
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the vacuum mechanical system with a fluidized bed system using controlled air flow and heat transfer, achieving more efficient moisture removal through enhanced convective mass transfer while maintaining precise moisture content control
3Stability of the object's composition
If the powder has sufficiently fine particle size for uniform mixing with substrate, then the dispersibility is improved, but the hygroscopicity increases causing caking in the presence of moisture
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a composite structure through controlled crystallization in fluidized bed, where the crystalline form acts as a matrix that reduces the surface energy and hygroscopicity of the fine particles, allowing them to maintain dispersibility without excessive moisture absorption
Solution Approach 2:
The invention controls particle morphology and size distribution (50-500 μm range) as an additional dimension of control, optimizing both dispersibility and hygroscopicity by preventing excessive fineness while maintaining adequate particle size for uniform mixing
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 process achieves consistent and reproducible production of stable, water-soluble crystalline organometallic complexes with controlled particle size and moisture content, enhancing their stability and usability in animal feed applications.
Implementation Method 1
granulating and drying said solution by spraying in a fluidized bed by circulation of air
Implementation Method 2
granulating and drying said solution by spraying in a fluidized bed by circulation of air
Data Source
AI summary
According to the invention, powders of low hygroscopicity are prepared by granulation of an aqueous solution (1) in a fluidized bed (140). A compound formed from crystalline grains whose moisture content is defined and stable is obtained. The invention applies especially to organometallic complexes of glycine with a metal.