Stabilizing Composition for Metallic Particle Agglomeration

Solution Overview

Problem

Current technologies are ineffective in treating highly concentrated metallic particles, such as lead and copper, particularly in environments like firing ranges, as they fail to reduce airborne dispersion and comply with environmental and safety regulations, especially for objects with high metallic concentrations exceeding 50% weight percent.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the application of a stabilizing composition comprising a liquid carrier and a heavy metal stabilizing agent, along with a fixation agent, to objects contaminated with metallic particles, which binds the particles into larger agglomerates, reducing their leachability and bioaccessibility, and facilitates safe transportation and disposal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If prior environmental technologies for treating lead compounds and metal compounds are used, then treatment of waste streams with low metallic concentrations (typically much less than 50 wt. %) is achieved, but treatment of highly concentrated metallic particles (e.g., 50% pure metallic lead and/or metallic copper particles) is ineffective

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemetallic particle concentrationVSAvoidtreatment effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the chemical state of metallic particles through oxidation (converting metallic lead and copper to their oxide forms) and adjusting pH levels during treatment. This transforms the physical and chemical parameters of the high-concentration metallic particles, making them amenable to treatment methods that would otherwise be ineffective on pure metallic forms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite materials in the form of specialized binders and matrices that can accommodate and stabilize high concentrations of metallic particles. These composite structures allow the treatment of waste streams with 50% or more metallic content by incorporating the particles into a stable matrix format that prevents dispersion while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Quantity of substance

If simple application of phosphates for treating environmental lead contamination is used, then treatment of low-concentration lead compounds is achieved, but treatment of high concentration metallic particles (greater than 50% metal) is inadequate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemetallic particle concentrationVSAvoidairborne dispersion and flammability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful properties of high-concentration metallic particles (flammability, airborne dispersion) into beneficial outcomes through controlled oxidation. By transforming metallic particles to oxide forms and using them as fillers or aggregates in composite matrices, the treatment process eliminates the hazardous characteristics while maintaining the material's structural utility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces intermediary substances including binding agents, matrices, and stabilizing compounds that mediate between the high-concentration metallic particles and the environment. These intermediaries prevent direct contact between metallic particles and air (reducing flammability and airborne dispersion) while facilitating safe containment and disposal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Quantity of substance

If current technologies are used for treating metallic particles, then compliance with regulations for low-concentration waste is achieved, but compliance with RCRA and DOT regulations for high-concentration metallic particles (greater than 50 wt. %) is not met

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemetallic particle concentrationVSAvoidleachability and bioaccessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the chemical state of metallic particles through oxidation (converting metallic lead and copper to their oxide forms) and adjusting pH levels during treatment. This transforms the physical and chemical parameters of the high-concentration metallic particles, making them amenable to treatment methods that would otherwise be ineffective on pure metallic forms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful properties of high-concentration metallic particles (flammability, airborne dispersion) into beneficial outcomes through controlled oxidation. By transforming metallic particles to oxide forms and using them as fillers or aggregates in composite matrices, the treatment process eliminates the hazardous characteristics while maintaining the material's structural utility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

4Ease of operation

If stabilization of free-flowing metallic particles is attempted without agglomeration, then particle mobility is maintained, but airborne release probability increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparticle handlingVSAvoidairborne release

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies merging by agglomerating individual metallic particles into larger clusters or aggregates. This combines multiple small, airborne-prone particles into larger units that are less susceptible to becoming airborne during handling and transportation, while still maintaining ease of operation through the use of binding agents that facilitate manageable aggregate formation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 effectively reduces the leachability and bioaccessibility of metallic particles, enabling compliance with stringent regulations like RCRA and DOT standards, and renders objects safe for non-hazardous disposal or recycling, while also addressing the flammability and explosiveness of airborne particles.

Implementation Method 1

contacting the free-flowing metallic particles with an agglomeration agent to substantially bind together at least a portion of the metallic particles and form at least a first metallic particle agglomerate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAgglomeration: Coagulation

Implementation Method 2

applying a stabilizing composition comprising a liquid carrier and a heavy metal stabilizing agent, where the stabilizing composition binds the particles into larger agglomerates, reducing their leachability and bioaccessibility

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical stabilization: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS10837082B2Method for the treatment of an object contaminated with metallic particles

Publication Date: 2020.11.17 METALS TREATMENT TECHNOLOGIES LLC

AI summary

Methods for the treatment of metallic particles such as heavy metal particles and objects contaminated with the metallic particles. For the treatment of objects contaminated with the metallic particles, a stabilizing composition may be applied to the object with or without a fixation agent. For the treatment of free-flowing metallic particles, an agglomeration agent may be used with or without a stabilizing agent.