Non-crosslinked Polyethylene Composition for Power Cable Insulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing crosslinked polyethylene resins used in power cables have limitations in recyclability, processability, and environmental impact due to high production costs and poor AC dielectric breakdown strength, space charge distribution, and water tree resistance, while non-crosslinked polyethylene resins lack sufficient heat resistance and durability.

Innovation Solution

A non-crosslinked polyethylene composition for power cables is developed, incorporating a linear polyethylene resin with α-olefin comonomers, low-density polyethylene, and additives such as oxidation stabilizers and polar groups to enhance heat resistance, processability, and electrical properties, allowing for use in insulating, semi-conducting, and sheath layers without crosslinking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If crosslinked polyethylene resin is used to improve heat resistance and durability, then long-term heat resistance and durability are improved, but recyclability is lost and environmental pollution increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat resistance and durabilityVSAvoidrecyclability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical structure parameters of polyethylene by incorporating specific comonomers (ethylene/propylene, ethylene/butene, ethylene/octene copolymers) and controlling molecular weight distribution (2.0-5.0) and density (0.910-0.940 g/cm³) to achieve thermoplastic properties with enhanced heat resistance, eliminating the need for crosslinking while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite resin system combining multiple polyethylene types with different properties (HDPE, LLDPE, LDPE) in specific ratios to achieve a balance of processability, heat resistance, and electrical properties, resulting in a thermoplastic material that replaces crosslinked polyethylene

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If non-crosslinked polyethylene resin is used to improve recyclability and reduce environmental pollution, then recyclability is improved, but heat resistance and durability are significantly insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproverecyclabilityVSAvoidheat resistance and durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the parameters of non-crosslinked polyethylene by controlling comonomer content (5-20 mol%), molecular weight distribution (2.0-5.0), and density (0.910-0.940 g/cm³) to enhance heat resistance while maintaining thermoplastic recyclability, achieving both environmental friendliness and reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces local structural modifications through comonomer incorporation at specific positions in the polymer chain, creating regions with enhanced thermal stability while preserving the overall thermoplastic nature and processability of the material

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If organic peroxide crosslinking method is used to achieve crosslinking, then crosslinking is completed, but high-pressure and high-temperature conditions are required and productivity is significantly low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecrosslinking degreeVSAvoidproductivity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the crosslinking step entirely from the manufacturing process by developing a thermoplastic resin formulation that achieves the desired performance without chemical crosslinking, thereby removing the bottleneck in productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the resin into multiple components with different functions (base polyethylene, comonomers, additives) that can be independently optimized and processed, allowing for simplified manufacturing without the need for post-polymerization crosslinking steps

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Object-affected harmful factors

If crosslinking process is applied to remove bubbles formed during crosslinking, then bubble removal is achieved, but high pressure of 5 atm or more should be applied and process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebubble formationVSAvoidprocess complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the potential harm of bubble formation into a benefit by using a thermoplastic formulation that allows bubbles to be easily removed during the extrusion process itself through pressure control and material flow, eliminating the need for additional high-pressure treatment steps

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary action by controlling the resin formulation and processing conditions during extrusion to prevent bubble formation in the first place, using appropriate screw design and temperature control to ensure homogeneous material flow without void formation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8981007B2Non-crosslinked polyethylene composition for power cable
Publication Date: 2015.03.17 SK GEO CENTRIC CO LTD

AI summary

Provided is a non-crosslinked polyethylene composition for a power cable in which crosslinked polyethylene widely used in the world as an existing insulator for a power cable is replaced with a non-crosslinked polyethylene resin, and more particularly, a non-crosslinked polyethylene composition for a power cable having excellent processability, AC dielectric breakdown strength, space charge distribution, and water tree resistance.