Phosphate Suspension Viscosity Control via Anionic Polymer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for improved methods to facilitate the conditioning and transport of phosphate rock, particularly in the form of a suspension of phosphate rock particles in water, with improved stability and control of viscosity and solid concentration.
Innovation Solution
A method for preparing an aqueous suspension of phosphate material by dispersing phosphate material particles in water in the presence of an anionic polymer, specifically acrylic acid or methacrylic acid anionic polymers, to achieve a controlled viscosity and high solid concentration, suitable for efficient transport and treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the concentration of phosphate rock in suspension is increased, then the amount of water used is reduced and resource management is improved, but the viscosity of the suspension increases making transport difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an anionic polymer as an intermediary substance that mediates between the phosphate rock particles and water. This polymer acts as a dispersing agent that prevents particle aggregation, allowing high solid concentrations (up to 70-80% P2O5) to be achieved while maintaining acceptable viscosity levels for transport through pipelines and processing equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical and physical parameters of the suspension by adding an anionic polymer with specific molecular weight (1,000-90,000 g/mol) and anionic charge. This modifies the inter-particle interactions, enabling the suspension to maintain stability at high solid contents without excessive viscosity increase, thus resolving the contradiction between concentration and flowability.
2Quantity of substance
If the concentration of phosphate rock in suspension is increased, then better resource management is achieved, but particle sedimentation occurs reducing stability
Solution Approach 1:
The anionic polymer serves as a protective intermediary that surrounds phosphate rock particles in the suspension. Its anionic charge creates electrostatic repulsion between particles, preventing aggregation and sedimentation even at high concentrations (70-80% P2O5), thus maintaining suspension stability while achieving high solid content.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the suspension parameters by introducing an anionic polymer with specific molecular weight and charge characteristics. This changes the colloidal properties of the suspension, creating a stable dispersed system where particles remain suspended through electrostatic repulsion, preventing sedimentation at high solid concentrations.
3Quantity of substance
If the amount of water in suspension is reduced, then resource management is improved, but the viscosity increases making handling difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The anionic polymer acts as a lubricating intermediary between phosphate rock particles, reducing friction and viscosity at high solid concentrations. This allows the suspension to be handled and transported easily even with minimal water content (70-80% P2O5), maintaining ease of operation while reducing water usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the rheological parameters of the suspension by adding an anionic polymer. This modifies the flow characteristics, reducing viscosity and improving pumpability and handleability even at very high solid contents where water would normally cause excessive viscosity, thus maintaining ease of transport with reduced water amount.
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 method achieves a stable aqueous suspension with controlled viscosity and high phosphate material concentration, facilitating efficient transport and improving the hydrodynamics and overall efficiency of phosphoric acid preparation.
Implementation Method 1
dispersion in water of particles of phosphate material in the presence of at least one additive of the acrylic acid or methacrylic acid anionic polymer type
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for preparing an aqueous suspension of at least one phosphate material, comprising, dispersing, in water, particles of phosphate material in the presence of at least one additive of the anionic polymer of acrylic acid or of methacrylic acid type. The suspension according to the invention has a viscosity of less than 1500 mPa·s. The invention also relates to the conditioning of the phosphate material associated with the anionic polymer, for its subsequent treatment with at least one strong acid, for the industrial preparation of phosphoric acid.