Water-Soluble Coating for Isocyanate Transport and Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for transporting and storing water-sensitive and temperature-sensitive compounds like isocyanates often result in contamination and damage to equipment due to water exposure and overheating, requiring harsh cleaning processes that can damage containers and pipes.
Innovation Solution
Applying a water-soluble coating, preferably polyvinyl alcohol, to equipment surfaces in contact with isocyanates, allowing for easy removal and cleaning without damaging the surfaces, and using steam treatment to solidify residual isocyanates for efficient rinsing with water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If harsh cleaning methods (steam heating, high pressure water, grinding equipment, reactive chemicals) are used to remove isocyanate residues from contaminated containers and pipes, then the cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the container or pipes are damaged
Solution Approach 1:
A water-soluble coating is applied to the inner surface of containers and pipes before isocyanate storage or transport. This preliminary protective layer prevents direct contact between isocyanates and the container surface, so that when contamination occurs, the coating can be easily removed with water without requiring harsh cleaning methods that would damage the container.
Solution Approach 2:
The water-soluble coating acts as an intermediary layer between the isocyanate and the container surface. This mediator prevents direct adhesion of isocyanate residues to the container, allowing for easy removal of contaminants through simple water rinsing rather than aggressive cleaning techniques.
2Reliability
If reactive chemicals are used for cleaning isocyanate residues, then the cleaning effectiveness is improved, but chemical waste is generated that needs special handling
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using expensive and environmentally harmful reactive chemicals for cleaning, the invention employs a disposable water-soluble coating that can be easily removed with plain water. This eliminates the need for specialized chemical cleaners and the associated chemical waste disposal requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The water-soluble coating serves as a sacrificial intermediary that captures isocyanate residues and allows their removal through simple water rinsing, replacing the need for reactive chemical cleaners and thereby eliminating chemical waste generation.
3Device complexity
If isocyanates are stored or transported without protective coating, then the device complexity is reduced, but contamination and equipment damage occur
Solution Approach 1:
A thin water-soluble film or coating is applied to the inner surface of storage containers and transport equipment. This flexible protective layer provides effective protection against isocyanate contamination while adding minimal structural complexity to the existing equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The water-soluble coating acts as a simple intermediary layer that prevents direct contact between isocyanates and equipment surfaces, providing reliable protection without requiring complex structural modifications to containers or pipes.
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 method enables safe storage and transport of isocyanates under controlled conditions, preventing contamination and equipment damage, reducing the need for harsh cleaning and minimizing chemical waste, while extending the lifespan of containers and pipes.
Implementation Method 1
the coating is solved with water for cleaning the device
Implementation Method 2
the contaminated containers and pipes are cleaned by means of steam heating
Implementation Method 3
using steam treatment to solidify residual isocyanates for efficient rinsing with water
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a method for transport and storage of water-sensitive and/or temperature-sensitive compounds such as isocyanates wherein the compounds can be stored or transported under controlled conditions with ease of removal of the compounds and cleaning afterwards without the risk of damaging the container or pipes. To this end the present invention is directed to a method for handling a water-sensitive and/or temperature-sensitive compound in liquid form wherein the surface of the device that is in contact with the water-sensitive and/or temperature sensitive compound in liquid form is provided with a watersoluble coating, and the coating is solved with water for cleaning the device. The water-soluble coating preferably comprises polyvinyl alcohol.