Water-Soluble Paper Polymer With High MW and Lower Viscosity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing polymers used in papermaking, such as polyvinyl amines, face challenges in achieving high molecular weights due to high viscosity and poor heat transfer, making them difficult to produce and use industrially, while also requiring significant energy and water resources, which affects paper machine speed and productivity.
Innovation Solution
A water-soluble polymer is synthesized through a multi-step polymerization process involving fractions of specific monomers and structuring compounds, followed by partial or total hydrolysis of amide groups, resulting in lower viscosity and improved properties like dry strength and drainage, reducing energy and water consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If high molecular weight PVAm is produced by solution polymerization, then molecular weight is increased, but viscosity becomes excessively high making the polymer difficult to handle and process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses inverse emulsion polymerization as an intermediary method, employing water-soluble initiators and controlled polymerization conditions to achieve high molecular weight without the excessive viscosity problems of solution polymerization. The emulsion system acts as a mediator that allows high MW polymer formation while maintaining processability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the polymerization parameters by using inverse emulsion technique with specific water-soluble initiators and controlling the polymerization rate, which allows achieving high molecular weight while keeping the polymer solution viscosity at manageable levels compared to conventional solution polymerization.
2Strength
If high molecular weight PVAm is produced, then paper strength properties are improved, but energy and water consumption during production and application increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inverse emulsion polymerization process serves as an intermediary method that efficiently produces high molecular weight polymer with better solubility and lower viscosity, reducing the energy required for pumping, mixing, and application compared to conventional high MW PVAm production methods.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the polymerization method to inverse emulsion and controlling molecular weight distribution, the patent produces polymer that requires less energy for processing and application while maintaining the high paper strength benefits of high molecular weight.
3Strength
If high molecular weight PVAm is used, then dry strength is improved, but the polymer requires more water for dilution and has poor heat transfer during processing
Solution Approach 1:
The inverse emulsion polymerization method acts as an intermediary approach that produces high molecular weight polymer with improved solubility characteristics, requiring less water for dilution while maintaining the dry strength benefits. The controlled polymerization structure enhances water efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the polymerization parameters and molecular weight distribution through inverse emulsion technique, producing polymer that achieves high dry strength with reduced water content requirements for dilution and application.
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional solution polymerization is used for PVAm production, then production is simpler, but heat transfer is poor making industrial scale-up difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The inverse emulsion polymerization system serves as an intermediary process that maintains relative simplicity of production while dramatically improving heat transfer characteristics. The emulsion medium and controlled polymerization kinetics enable efficient heat removal during industrial-scale production.
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 new polymer achieves equivalent or improved performance in paper machine speed and productivity with reduced energy and water usage, aligning with environmental sustainability goals.
Implementation Method 1
partial or total hydrolysis of the amide groups -N(R2)
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to a new water-soluble polymer, its method of preparation, and its use, in particular for applications in the field of paper.