Insoluble Copper Wood Preservative Paste for Leaching Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wood preservative compositions for utility poles and railroad ties face issues such as copper leaching, uncontrolled mobility, toxicity to aquatic organisms, and high costs due to the use of copper-solubilizing agents and organic solvents, which compromise long-term efficacy and environmental safety.

Innovation Solution

Aqueous wood preservative paste composition with insoluble copper compounds, boron-containing compounds, and a thickening agent, providing controlled release of copper ions and low volatile organic compounds (VOCs), formulated to penetrate and remain within the wood structure, reducing leaching and environmental impact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If copper-solubilizing agents are used to enhance copper mobility and penetration in wood, then the biocidal effectiveness is improved, but copper leaching increases and environmental toxicity worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebiocidal effectivenessVSAvoidcopper leaching and environmental toxicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical state of copper from soluble to insoluble form. By using insoluble copper compounds combined with boron-containing compounds, the copper remains fixed in the wood structure rather than leaching out, while still maintaining biocidal effectiveness through controlled release mechanisms and synergistic action with boron compounds.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite preservative system combining insoluble copper compounds with boron-containing compounds. This composite approach allows the copper to provide long-term biocidal activity while the boron compounds enhance penetration and control copper mobility, reducing leaching while maintaining effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of operation

If organic solvents are used as carriers in wood preservative compositions, then the penetration and application properties are improved, but volatile organic compound emissions increase and environmental safety worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepenetration and application propertiesVSAvoidvolatile organic compound emissions

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the carrier phase from organic to aqueous. By formulating the preservative composition in water instead of organic solvents, it eliminates VOC emissions while maintaining adequate penetration and application properties through the use of insoluble copper compounds and boron-containing compounds that work effectively in aqueous systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If traditional pressure treatment is used to achieve deep penetration of preservatives, then the initial chemical loading is improved, but the treatment cost increases and the ability to treat in-service structures is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechemical loadingVSAvoidtreatment cost and applicability to in-service structures

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent prepares the preservative composition in advance with insoluble copper compounds and boron-containing compounds formulated for controlled release. This preliminary formulation allows the composition to be applied to in-service structures without requiring complex pressure treatment equipment, while still achieving adequate penetration and long-term effectiveness through the controlled release mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The insoluble copper compounds in the composition provide self-sustaining biocidal activity over time. Once applied to the wood, the composition releases copper ions slowly and maintains effectiveness without requiring reapplication or additional treatment, reducing long-term costs for in-service structure maintenance.

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

The composition effectively extends the service life of wooden structures by providing sustained protection against fungal and termite attacks with reduced environmental contamination and lower production costs, while maintaining high biocidal activity.

Implementation Method 1

an aqueous carrier, and a thickening agent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThickening:

Implementation Method 2

providing controlled release of copper ions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectControlled release:

Implementation Method 3

insoluble copper compounds

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDissolution:

Implementation Method 4

formulated to penetrate and remain within the wood structure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPenetration:

Data Source

PatentUS10085453B2Controlled release, wood preserving composition with low-volatile organic content for treating in-service utility poles, posts, pilings, cross-ties and other wooden structures

Publication Date: 2018.10.02 OSMOSE UTILITIES SERVICES

AI summary

Disclosed herein are compositions including a dispersion of solid particles of a substantially insoluble copper compound, and an organic biocide, wherein at least 20% of all particles of the composition have a particle size greater than 25 microns. Also disclosed herein are methods of making and using the same.