Potassium Phosphite Production from Crude Phosphorous Acid

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Solution Overview

Problem

The removal of organics from crude phosphorous acid (H3PO3) waste streams is difficult, leading to instability and the formation of new organic layers, which results in blackening, making it unsuitable for biological wastewater treatment and limiting its reuse.

Innovation Solution

Reacting crude H3PO3 with a potassium compound to form potassium phosphite, allowing for easy removal of organics and producing a stable, clear potassium phosphite solution that can be used as a fungicide and fertilizer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If crude H3PO3 is stored after organic layer removal, then the H3PO3 appears clear initially, but new organic layers keep forming during storage resulting in blackening

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of H3PO3 solutionVSAvoidreliability of waste stream treatment

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful organic contaminants in crude H3PO3 into a beneficial removal mechanism by reacting them with H2O2 to form organic peroxides, which can then be easily separated. This transforms the stability problem into a solvable separation process, enabling reliable waste stream treatment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the H3PO3 solution by adding H2O2 and controlling pH levels, temperature, and reaction time. These parameter changes stabilize the solution by converting organic contaminants into separable peroxide forms, preventing blackening and organic layer formation during storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of substance

If organics are removed from crude H3PO3 by conventional methods, then some organics are removed, but the H3PO3 remains unstable and new organic layers form

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveorganic removal efficiencyVSAvoidstability of H3PO3 solution

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of merely removing organics, the patent converts them into organic peroxides through oxidation with H2O2. This transformation makes the organics separable through decantation or extraction, achieving both removal and stabilization simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces H2O2 as an intermediary substance that mediates between the crude H3PO3 and the organic contaminants. The H2O2 oxidizes the organics into peroxide forms that are easier to separate, acting as a bridge that enables effective organic removal while stabilizing the H3PO3 solution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If crude H3PO3 is used directly, then the waste stream can be treated, but organics cannot be effectively removed and the solution blackens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of waste stream processingVSAvoidpurity of H3PO3 product

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent maintains ease of processing by using a simple oxidation step with H2O2 followed by separation, while simultaneously achieving high purity by converting organic contaminants into separable peroxide forms. This resolves the contradiction between ease of manufacture and product purity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent achieves high purity through controlled parameter changes: adding H2O2 at specific concentrations, controlling pH to optimize oxidation, and managing temperature and reaction time. These parameter controls enable effective organic removal while maintaining simple processing steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 process effectively removes organics from the waste stream, stabilizes the phosphite solution, and converts a waste product into a valuable, sustainable potassium phosphite that can be used in the agro industry, while also enabling the reuse of acid chloride in organic compound synthesis.

Implementation Method 1

reacting carboxylic acid of the formula R-(C(=O)OH) n with phosphorous trichloride (PCl3) towards a mixture comprising phosphorous acid (H3PO3) and acid chloride

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

adding water and a potassium compound selected from KOH, KHCO3 and K2CO3 to the fraction comprising crude phosphorous acid, thereby forming an aqueous solution comprising potassium phosphite

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 3

removing organic compounds from said aqueous solution

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSeparation:

Data Source

PatentEP3743374B1Process for the production of a fertilizer

Publication Date: 2022.03.09 AKZO NOBEL CHEMICALS INTERNATIONAL BV

AI summary

Process for the production of a compound comprising potassium phosphite comprising the steps of (a) reacting carboxylic acid of the formula R-(C(=O)OH)n with phosphorous trichloride (PCl3) towards a mixture comprising phosphorous acid (H3PO3) and acid chloride of the formula R-(C(=O)Cl)n; wherein R is a linear or branched alkyl or alkanediyl group with 1-20 carbon atoms and n is 1 or 2, (b) subjecting said mixture to a separation step, thereby obtaining (i) a fraction comprising crude phosphorous acid (H3PO3) and (ii) a fraction comprising acid chloride, (c) combining water, a potassium compound selected from KOH, KHCO3 and K2CO3, and the fraction comprising crude phosphorous acid, thereby forming an aqueous solution comprising potassium phosphite, and (d) removing organic compounds from said aqueous solution.