MGDA Granule Flowability via Controlled Moisture Spray Drying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Amino polycarboxylic compounds like methylglycine diacetic acid (MGDA) in solid form are hygroscopic and have poor flowability, limiting their use in detergent compositions due to water absorption and stickiness, especially in solid forms produced by conventional spray drying processes.
Innovation Solution
A process involving the heating of a concentrated slurry of MGDA with a solids content of 45-70% and moisture content of 30-55% to 50-120°C, followed by spray granulation at an air inlet temperature of 120°C or less, to produce free-flowing granules with reduced hygroscopicity and improved friability, suitable for use in machine dishwash detergents and tablets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional spray drying processes are used to produce solid MGDA, then the production process is simple and cost-effective, but the resulting particles are fine and dusty with high hygroscopicity and poor flowability
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the moisture content parameter from the conventional low moisture (typical of spray drying) to a specific range of 5-20% in the granules. This parameter change transforms the product from fine dusty particles to free-flowing granules with reduced hygroscopicity, while maintaining the simplicity of the spray drying process
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from producing fine particles (0-dimensional powder) to producing granules with specific size dimensions (50-2000 μm). This dimensional change in particle size and morphology fundamentally alters the flowability and hygroscopicity characteristics while using the same spray drying technology
2Shape
If spray-granulation of saturated NTA solution is used, then particle size is improved, but hygroscopicity remains very poor
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the concentration parameter from saturated solution to a controlled concentration that produces granules with 5-20% moisture content. This parameter optimization achieves both acceptable particle size and significantly improved hygroscopicity compared to saturated solution processing
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements control of moisture content as a feedback parameter during the spray granulation process. By monitoring and controlling moisture to achieve 5-20% in the final granules, the process optimizes both particle size and hygroscopicity properties simultaneously
3Reliability
If crystallisation of very concentrated composition with 10-30% moisture is used, then large particles with low hygroscopicity and good flowability are obtained, but the process requires dedicated equipment and is expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the spray drying equipment multi-functional by adjusting operational parameters to produce granules with 5-20% moisture content. This allows conventional spray drying equipment to produce products with flowability and hygroscopicity comparable to dedicated crystallisation processes, eliminating the need for specialized equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the moisture content parameter during spray drying to match the optimal range (5-20%) achieved by expensive crystallisation processes. This parameter adjustment enables conventional equipment to produce granules with equivalent flowability and low hygroscopicity
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 yields granules with low hygroscopicity, maintaining flowability under ambient conditions for at least a week, reducing the forces needed for tablet pressing, and improving product stability and friability resistance, while being cost-effective and applicable in both batch and continuous processes.
Implementation Method 1
heating a concentrated slurry comprising methylglycine diacetic acid (MGDA) and/or any salts thereof, the slurry having a solids content in the range of 45% to 70% and suitably in the range from 50% to 70%, and a moisture content of 30% up to 55%, and suitably between 30% and 50%, to a temperature in the range of 50 to 120°C, preferably to about 80°C
Implementation Method 2
spray granulating said slurry, using an air inlet temperature of 120°C or less
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention concerns a process for the preparation of free flowing granules of low hygroscopicity of one or more methylglycine diacetic acid (MGDA) salts, of the formula wherein R = CH3 and M is hydrogen, alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, ammonium or substituted ammonium in the appropriate stoechiometric amounts, by a process comprising the steps of i) heating a concentrated slurry comprising methylglycine diacetic acid (MGDA) and/or any salts thereof, the slurry having a solids content content in the range of 45% to 70% and suitably in the range from 50% to 70%, and a moisture content of 30% up to 55%, and suitably between 30% and 50%, to a temperature in the range of 50 to 120°C, preferably to about 80°C, and ii) spray granulating said slurry, using an air inlet temperature of 120°C or less.