Hydroxypropyl Cellulose Particle Size Distribution for Water Solubility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hydroxypropyl cellulose particles of small particle size often clump when infused into water, leading to unresolved particles.

Innovation Solution

Hydroxypropyl cellulose particles with specific particle size distributions, specifically between 150 μm and 355 μm, and a hydroxypropyl group content of 53.4-77.5 weight %, which enhance solubility in water and inhibit clumping.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If hydroxypropyl cellulose particles of small particle size are used, then dissolution speed is improved, but clumping and unresolved particles occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedissolution speedVSAvoidclumping prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the particle size distribution parameters of hydroxypropyl cellulose. Specifically, it controls the proportion of particles in different size ranges (e.g., 80-150 μm, 150-355 μm, 355-500 μm) to achieve a balance between dissolution speed and clumping prevention. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction by finding the optimal particle size distribution that enables rapid dissolution while maintaining solution uniformity without clumping.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If particle size is reduced to enhance dissolution, then solubility is improved, but particle clumping increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesolubilityVSAvoidparticle clumping
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating different particle size regions within the overall particle distribution. Instead of using a single uniform particle size, it maintains a mixed distribution with specific proportions of smaller particles (80-150 μm) for rapid dissolution and larger particles (150-355 μm, 355-500 μm) to prevent clumping. This local differentiation in particle size quality resolves the contradiction between solubility and clumping prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies composite material principles by creating a composite particle size distribution system. It combines particles of different sizes (80-150 μm, 150-355 μm, 355-500 μm) in specific proportions to form a composite structure that exhibits both rapid dissolution characteristics and anti-clumping properties. This composite approach allows the system to achieve both high solubility and prevention of particle aggregation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 particles rapidly dissolve in water without clumping, promoting viscosity control, gelation, and stabilization of solutions.

Implementation Method 1

Hydroxypropyl cellulose particles which rapidly dissolve in water without clumping

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSolvation: Solvation

Data Source

PatentUS9561185B2Hydroxypropyl cellulose particles
Publication Date: 2017.02.07 NIPPON SODA CO LTD

AI summary

Hydroxypropyl cellulose particles which contain 50-100 weight % of particles with a particle size that is larger than 150 μm and not larger than 355 μm.