Menthol Particle Caking Prevention via Crystal Modification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Menthol particles, especially those in solid forms like flakes and pellets, exhibit caking phenomena during storage, limiting their shelf life and making them unsuitable for long-term use in household and consumer goods without significant energy expenditure to maintain flowability.
Innovation Solution
A process involving storage of menthol particles at temperatures between 0 to 30°C for at least 7 days followed by mechanical energy input, such as dropping packaged menthol particles from a height of 1.0 to 5 meters, to stabilize them against caking, ensuring they remain free-flowing and maintain shape and size integrity over an extended period.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If menthol particles are stored in solid form at ambient temperature, then they maintain their physical state, but they exhibit caking and agglomeration tendencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by storing menthol particles at controlled temperatures (0-30°C for at least 7 days) before use to induce crystal modification transformation from less stable to stable alpha-modification, thereby reducing caking tendency while maintaining solid form storage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action through a pre-storage step before actual use, where menthol particles are stored under specific temperature conditions for a defined period to stabilize their crystal structure in advance, preventing caking during subsequent storage and application
2Ease of operation
If mechanical energy is supplied to menthol particles to prevent caking, then flowability is maintained, but energy expenditure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by utilizing the menthol particles' own thermal environment and natural crystal transformation properties to stabilize themselves against caking, eliminating the need for external mechanical energy input or additives during storage
3Reliability
If menthol is crystallized from peppermint oil to obtain solid particles, then pure L-menthol is obtained, but the process is laborious and has low space-time yield
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling crystallization temperature and using seed crystals to direct the formation of stable alpha-modification crystals, achieving both high purity and improved crystallization efficiency compared to traditional methods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses seed crystals as an intermediary to control and accelerate the crystallization process, enabling rapid formation of pure L-menthol crystals with desired morphology and reducing the time required for crystal growth
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 significantly reduces caking, allowing menthol particles to remain free-flowing and retain shape and size, enhancing their storage stability and usability in products for several weeks without additional energy expenditure.
Implementation Method 1
It has long been known that L-menthol can solidify in four different crystal modifications that, while having the same chemical composition, have different physical properties... The melting point of the stable alpha-modification is accordingly 42 to 43° C.
Implementation Method 2
after which the menthol particles are supplied with a minimum input of mechanical energy... this box is dropped once from a height of 1.0 m onto an inelastic surface
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a process for producing menthol particles stabilized against caking, wherein menthol particles are, following shaping, stored for at least 7 days at a temperature of 0 to 30° C., after which the menthol particles are supplied with a minimum input of mechanical energy. The present invention further relates to storage-stable menthol particles and to the use of said menthol particles in household and consumer goods of all kinds.