Polyvinylamine Starch Blend for Papermaking Strength
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a lower-cost, more environmentally friendly dry strength product for papermaking that is equivalent or better than polyvinylamine in terms of dry strength and drainage aid performance, particularly for recycled linerboard and other paper products, while reducing production costs and environmental impact.
Innovation Solution
A composition of polyvinylamine blended with high solids and high viscosity liquid cationic starch at specific ratios, which exhibits synergistic effects in improving dry strength and drainage properties without the need for high-temperature processing or alkaline conditions, and is stable at ambient temperature and neutral pH.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If polyvinylamine is used as a dry strength product for papermaking, then dry strength and drainage performance are improved, but production cost increases and environmental impact worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines polyvinylamine with liquid cationic starch to create a blended composition that maintains the dry strength benefits of polyvinylamine while reducing overall production costs. The starch component serves as a cost-effective alternative that can partially replace the more expensive polyvinylamine, achieving cost reduction without sacrificing performance
2Strength
If polyvinylamine is used as a dry strength product, then dry strength performance is improved, but environmental impact increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes renewable liquid cationic starch for a portion of the synthetic polyvinylamine. Starch is a biodegradable, renewable resource that reduces environmental persistence and pollution concerns associated with synthetic polymers, thereby lowering the environmental impact while maintaining functional performance
3Strength
If polyvinylamine is used alone, then dry strength is improved, but wet strength development increases making repulping difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The blended composition creates different functional properties in different conditions: the polyvinylamine component provides dry strength enhancement, while the starch component contributes to reduced wet strength development. This local quality differentiation allows the mixture to exhibit optimized properties for each stage - strong in dry state for paper integrity, but easier to break down in wet state for repulping
4Stability of the object's composition
If starch is enzymatically degraded to low viscosity, then blend stability is improved, but synergetic effects are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the viscosity parameter of the starch from low (enzymatically degraded) to high (native or minimally modified). This parameter change enables the starch to provide adequate blend stability through its high viscosity and thickening properties while simultaneously allowing synergetic effects to emerge between the polyvinylamine and starch components in the blended composition
Data Source
AI summary
A stable aqueous composition comprising poiyvinylamine and liquid cationic starch a ratio of from 90 to 55 parts of poiyvinylamine on active basis to 10 to 45 parts of liquid cationic starch on active basis is disclosed. The composition can be used in papermaking as a strength or as a drainage aid.