Melam Granulate Fluid Bed Drying for Flow and Density

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Solution Overview

Problem

The production of melam-based flame retardant materials faces challenges with poor flow properties and low bulk density, making them difficult to dose and disperse homogeneously in polymer compositions, and the use of excessive polymeric binding agents can deteriorate the properties of the final composition.

Innovation Solution

A process involving the preparation of a melam-based granulate material through the creation of an aqueous slurry with freshly prepared moist melam and a water-soluble polymeric binding agent, followed by fluid bed drying to produce a granulate with improved flowability and bulk density, using a specific range of melam and binding agent concentrations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If melam is ground to sufficiently low particle size to enhance dispersability, then dispersability is improved, but bulk density decreases and flow behavior deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovedispersabilityVSAvoidflow behavior
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the melam particles into specific size ranges (D10≥10μm, D50≥100μm, D90≤1000μm) to achieve optimal balance between dispersability and flow behavior, avoiding excessive fine particle generation while maintaining homogeneous distribution capability in polymer compositions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the particle size distribution parameters of melam through controlled granulation process, specifically setting D10≥10μm, D50≥100μm, and D90≤1000μm, which transforms the material properties to achieve both good dispersability and flow behavior simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If melam is ground to sufficiently low particle size to enhance dispersability, then dispersability is improved, but bulk density decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovedispersabilityVSAvoidbulk density
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the melam particles into specific size ranges (D10≥10μm, D50≥100μm, D90≤1000μm) to achieve optimal balance between dispersability and bulk density, avoiding excessive fine particle generation while maintaining homogeneous distribution capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the particle size distribution parameters of melam through controlled granulation process, specifically setting D10≥10μm, D50≥100μm, and D90≤1000μm, which transforms the material properties to achieve both good dispersability and high bulk density

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If excessive polymeric binding agent is used to improve flow properties, then flowability is improved, but the properties of the final composition deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveflowabilityVSAvoidcomposition properties
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the particle size distribution parameters of melam through controlled granulation process, specifically setting D10≥10μm, D50≥100μm, and D90≤1000μm, which transforms the material properties to achieve both good dispersability and high bulk density

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 resulting melam granulate exhibits enhanced flowability and high bulk density, facilitating easier handling and homogeneous dispersion in polymer compositions without the need for excessive polymeric binding agents, thus overcoming the limitations of previous methods.

Implementation Method 1

drying the slurry in a fluid bed to form a granulate material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS9422270B2Melam granulate material and process for preparation thereof
Publication Date: 2016.08.23 ENVALIOR BV

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for producing a free flowing flame retardant material, comprising steps of i. preparing an aqueous slurry from a freshly prepared moist melam having a water content of at least 8 wt. %, relative to the total weight of the moist melam, the slurry comprising water, melam and a water soluble polymeric binding agent, wherein the melam is present in an amount of 5-35 wt. % relative to the total weight of the slurry, and the water soluble polymeric binding agent is present in an amount of 0.5-8 wt. % relative to the total amount of melam and the water soluble polymeric binding agent; ii. drying the slurry in a fluid bed to form a granulate material; and iii. collecting the resulting granulate material. The invention also relates to a melam granulate material, obtainable by said process.