Peracetate Oxidant Solutions for OBA Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for removing optical brightening agents (OBAs) from paper fibers and water streams in the paper making process are inefficient, causing fiber damage, producing unwanted byproducts, and generating excess waste water, with challenges in stability and cost-effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
The use of peracetate oxidant solutions, specifically formulated to operate within a pH range of 10 to 12, with a molar ratio of peracetate anions to peracid ranging from 60:1 to 6000:1, which generates reactive oxygen species for oxidative degradation of OBAs, allowing for in-situ ROS production and thermal activation to enhance degradation efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional oxidation methods (chlorine dioxide or ozone) are used to remove OBAs from paper fibers, then OBA degradation is achieved, but fiber damage occurs and chlorinated oxidation byproducts are produced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs peracetic acid, a strong oxidant, to achieve rapid and effective OBA degradation. The peracetic acid oxidation process breaks down fluorescent brighteners efficiently while being less damaging to cellulose fibers compared to conventional chlorine-based oxidants, thus resolving the contradiction between degradation effectiveness and fiber damage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes pH parameter changes (maintaining alkaline conditions at pH 10-12) to enhance peracetic acid oxidation efficiency. By controlling pH parameters, the process achieves effective OBA degradation while minimizing fiber damage and avoiding chlorinated byproduct formation, as the alkaline environment favors peracetic acid oxidation over chlorination reactions
2Reliability
If repeated strong oxidation and bleaching treatments are applied to remove OBAs, then OBA removal is improved, but fiber strength deteriorates and unwanted byproducts increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses peracetic acid as a strong oxidant that achieves rapid OBA removal in a single treatment step, eliminating the need for repeated oxidation cycles. This accelerated oxidation approach maintains fiber strength by avoiding cumulative damage from multiple treatment passes while still achieving complete OBA removal
3Illumination intensity
If quenching fluorescence with additives is used, then fluorescence reduction is achieved, but OBA degradation or removal does not occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies peracetic acid oxidation to actually degrade and remove OBAs from the system, rather than merely quenching their fluorescence. The strong oxidizing action breaks down the OBA molecules themselves, achieving both fluorescence reduction and complete OBA removal/degradation simultaneously
4Reliability
If potassium permanganate in highly acidic conditions is used for oxidative removal of OBAs from textile fibers, then OBA degradation is achieved, but manganese is added to fiber product and process water streams requiring additional treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes peracetic acid for potassium permanganate as the oxidizing agent. Peracetic acid provides the necessary strong oxidation capability for OBA degradation without introducing heavy metal contaminants like manganese. The only byproducts are acetic acid and oxygen, which do not require additional treatment of fiber products or process water streams
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs peracetic acid, which decomposes completely into harmless substances (acetic acid and oxygen), unlike potassium permanganate that leaves persistent manganese residues. This disposable oxidant approach eliminates the need for additional treatment steps to remove metal contaminants from the system
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
This method effectively degrades OBAs with minimal fiber damage, reduces waste water volume, and avoids the generation of halogenated byproducts, offering a cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution for OBA removal in paper mills.
Implementation Method 1
oxidizing, degrading and removal of OBA from a substrate involving the use of peracetate oxidant solutions
Implementation Method 2
thermal activation to enhance degradation efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, a method relates to removal of optical brightening agents (OBA) from a substrate using peracetate oxidant solutions. A method may include reducing the microbial load in white water of water recycle loops. The methods may include providing a peracetate oxidant solution. The peracetate solution may include peracetate anions and a peracid. In some embodiments, the peracetate solution may include a pH from about pH 10 to about pH 12. In some embodiments, the peracetate solution has a molar ratio of peracetate anions to peracid ranging from about 60:1 to about 6000:1. In some embodiments, the peracetate solution has a molar ratio of peracetate to hydrogen peroxide of greater than about 16:1. The peracetate solution may provide bleaching, sanitizing and/or disinfection of water, pulp, substrates and/or surfaces. The peracetate oxidant solution may provide enhanced separation of dyeing agents from a substrate.