Methylcellulose Aqueous Solution High-Shear Mixing Process
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing processes for preparing aqueous solutions of methylcellulose with low gelation temperatures are inefficient, requiring prolonged cooling and high concentrations of methylcellulose to achieve sufficient gel strength, which is not acceptable for consumer preferences due to slimy texture issues.
Innovation Solution
A high-shear process for mixing methylcellulose with water at a shear rate of at least 1000 s−1, allowing for faster dissolution and increased gel strength without the need for prolonged cooling, even at lower concentrations of methylcellulose.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If methylcellulose is dissolved using conventional low-shear mixing processes, then the solution can be prepared, but the process requires prolonged cooling and storage time to achieve sufficient gel strength
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by subjecting the methylcellulose and water mixture to high-shear mixing (at least 1000 s⁻¹) before cooling, which pre-establishes the molecular orientation and interaction necessary for strong gel formation. This preliminary high-shear treatment allows the gel to achieve sufficient strength without requiring prolonged cooling and storage times, directly resolving the contradiction between gel strength and preparation time
2Strength
If high concentrations of methylcellulose are used to achieve sufficient gel strength, then the gel fracture force is adequate, but the texture becomes slimy and unacceptable to consumers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the shear rate parameter from conventional low values to at least 1000 s⁻¹ during mixing. This parameter change fundamentally alters how methylcellulose molecules interact and orient in the solution, enabling strong gel fracture force to be achieved at lower concentrations. The high-shear parameter transforms the dissolution mechanism, allowing adequate gel strength at consumer-acceptable concentrations without slimy texture
3Reliability
If prolonged cooling is applied to conventional methylcellulose solutions, then gel strength increases, but the process efficiency decreases and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the thermal field (prolonged cooling) with a mechanical field (high-shear mixing at least 1000 s⁻¹). Instead of relying on extended low-temperature treatment to achieve gel strength, the invention uses intensive mechanical shear during mixing to establish molecular configurations that yield strong gels rapidly. This substitution of mechanical action for thermal treatment dramatically improves process efficiency while maintaining gel strength
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 high-shear process results in an aqueous solution with higher gel fracture force at body temperature, reducing caloric intake and providing satiety without the need for high methylcellulose concentrations, thus improving efficiency and consumer acceptance.
Implementation Method 1
mixing the methylcellulose with water under high shearing to a shear rate of at least 1000 s−1
Implementation Method 2
One unusual property of methylcellulose is that it is known to exhibit reverse thermal gelation in water, in other words, aqueous methylcellulose materials are soluble at cooler temperatures and gel at warmer temperatures
Data Source
AI summary
A process for preparing an aqueous solution of a methylcellulose having anhydroglucose units joined by 1-4 linkages wherein hydroxy groups of anhydroglucose units are substituted with methyl groups such that s23/s26 is 0.36 or less,wherein s23 is the molar fraction of anhydroglucose units wherein only the two hydroxy groups in the 2- and 3-positions of the anhydroglucose unit are substituted with methyl groups andwherein s26 is the molar fraction of anhydroglucose units wherein only the two hydroxy groups in the 2- and 6-positions of the anhydroglucose unit are substituted with methyl groups,comprises the step of mixing the methylcellulose with an aqueous liquid at a temperature of not higher than 10° C. at a shear rate of at least 1000 s−1.