Methacrylate Copolymer Calcium Ion Trapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
The application of existing polymers in water treatment faces challenges due to reduced heat-exchange efficiency caused by calcium carbonate precipitation in heat exchangers, necessitating a polymer with enhanced calcium ion trapping ability, calcium carbonate dispersing capacity, and gel resistance.
Innovation Solution
A (meth)acrylic acid-based copolymer with specific structural units, including a monomer represented by formula (1), is developed, containing a sulfonic acid group at the main chain end, with a weight average molecular weight of 7000 to 100000, and a composition of 2% to 9% of structural unit (a) and 91% to 98% of (meth)acrylic acid (salt), which improves gel resistance and calcium ion trapping ability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing polymers are used in water treatment, then basic dispersing function is provided, but calcium carbonate precipitation occurs reducing heat-exchange efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the polymer by specifying precise compositional ratios (structural unit (a) at 70-95% and structural unit (b1) at 5-30%) and molecular weight range (13000-50000) to enhance calcium ion trapping ability and calcium carbonate dispersing capacity, thereby preventing precipitation and maintaining heat-exchange efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite polymer structure combining two different structural units: structural unit (a) derived from specific (meth)acrylic acid-based monomers and structural unit (b1) derived from (meth)allyl ether-based monomers with sulfonic acid groups at chain ends. This composite structure provides synergistic effects for both calcium ion trapping and calcium carbonate dispersing functions
2Reliability
If polymer concentration is increased to improve dispersing capacity, then more calcium carbonate can be dispersed, but gel resistance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the molecular weight parameter to a specific range of 13000-50000 and controls the compositional ratio of structural units, which provides sufficient calcium carbonate dispersing capacity while maintaining appropriate solution viscosity and gel resistance through balanced polymer chain length and intermolecular interactions
3Stability of the object's composition
If polymer with higher molecular weight is used to improve stability, then gel resistance increases, but calcium ion trapping ability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent identifies and applies the optimal molecular weight range of 13000-50000, which balances two competing requirements: sufficient chain length to provide gel resistance and solution stability, while maintaining adequate chain flexibility and accessible functional groups for effective calcium ion trapping. This parameter optimization resolves the trade-off between stability and reactivity
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 copolymer exhibits excellent calcium ion trapping ability, calcium carbonate dispersing capacity, and gel resistance, effectively inhibiting calcium carbonate precipitation and scaling in water treatment systems.
Implementation Method 1
a copolymer containing, as essential structural units, a structural unit (a) derived from a monomer represented by formula (1) in an amount of 2% by mole or more and 9% by mole or less, and a structural unit (b) derived from a (meth)acrylic acid (salt) in an amount of 91% by mole or more and 98% by mole or less
Implementation Method 2
the copolymer exhibits excellent calcium ion trapping ability, calcium carbonate dispersing capacity, and gel resistance
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a copolymer having excellent calcium ion trapping ability, calcium carbonate dispersing capacity, and gel resistance. A (meth)acrylic acid-based copolymer contains, as essential structural units, a structural unit (a) derived from a monomer represented by the following formula (1) in an amount of 2% by mole or more and 9% by mole or less, and a structural unit (b) derived from a (meth)acrylic acid (salt) in an amount of 91% by mole or more and 98% by mole or less, relative to 100% by mole of structural units derived from all monomers, wherein the copolymer contains a sulfonic acid (salt) group at least one end of the main chain and has a weight average molecular weight of 7000 to 100000,wherein R2 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; and X and Y each independently represent a hydroxyl group or a sulfonic acid (salt) group (at least one of X and Y represents a sulfonic acid (salt) group).