Polyurethane Liner with Metal-Organic Catalyst for Drinking Water
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current in-line measuring devices with polyurethane liners for fluid flow measurement in pipelines face challenges in meeting high chemical, biological, and hygienic requirements, particularly in drinking water applications, due to potential leaching of toxic catalysts and unreacted components into the fluid, which can contaminate the water and violate strict migration and toxicity standards.
Innovation Solution
The development of an in-line measuring device with a polyurethane liner and primer system that uses a metal-organic catalyst to bond metals securely within the polyurethane, preventing leaching and ensuring the liner and primer are free from heavy metals and amines, thus ensuring the device meets stringent drinking water standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional polyurethane liners are used in measuring devices, then good mechanical stability and electrical insulation are achieved, but toxic catalysts and unreacted components leach into the fluid, violating drinking water standards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the polyurethane system by using alternative catalysts (metal-organic compounds instead of conventional toxic catalysts) and adjusting formulation parameters to achieve complete reaction, eliminating harmful leaching while maintaining mechanical properties
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite liner system consisting of multiple layers with different compositions - including a primer layer and a polyurethane layer - where each layer is specifically formulated to prevent catalyst leaching and ensure chemical safety for drinking water applications
2Reliability
If strict drinking water standards are met by eliminating toxic substances, then chemical safety is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases due to specialized catalysts and multi-layer systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into the liner system - the primer layer serves both as an adhesion promoter and as a barrier layer, while the polyurethane layer provides both mechanical stability and chemical safety, reducing the need for additional separate components
3Productivity
If conventional catalysts are used to speed up polyurethane curing, then productivity is improved, but toxic substances contaminate the measured fluid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the catalyst type from toxic conventional catalysts to metal-organic compounds that are safe for drinking water contact, while maintaining adequate curing speed through optimized formulation and process parameters
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of catalyst residue into a benefit by selecting metal-organic catalysts that leave no toxic residues and may even provide beneficial properties such as enhanced crosslinking or improved material performance
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 solution provides a polyurethane liner and primer system that is physiologically safe, resistant to leaching, and compliant with drinking water regulations, reducing contamination risks and manufacturing costs while maintaining effective fluid measurement capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
uses a metal-organic catalyst to bond metals securely within the polyurethane, preventing leaching
Implementation Method 2
ensuring the liner and primer are free from heavy metals and amines, thus ensuring the device meets stringent drinking water standards
Data Source
AI summary
The measuring tube of the in-line measuring device is formed by means of a support tube and a liner internally lining the support tube. The liner adheres to the support tube, with interposition of a mediating primer. Both the primer and the liner are composed, at least in part, of polyurethane. Especially, both the polyurethane of the liner and also the polyurethane of the primer are suitable for drinking water applications, so that the in-line measuring device itself is also suited for measuring drinking water.