Potassium Silicate Glass Salt Melt Regeneration

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Solution Overview

Problem

The usability of salt melts containing potassium nitrate for glass hardening and strengthening decreases over time due to depletion of ions and accumulation of extraneous alkali metal ions, leading to reduced activity and necessitates frequent replacement.

Innovation Solution

A potassium-containing silicate glass is used as a regeneration material to maintain or prolong the usability of the salt melt by preventing ion concentration increases, pH elevation, and particulate impurities through ion exchange and binding of impurities within the salt melt.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the salt melt is used repeatedly for glass hardening and strengthening, then the number of processed glass articles increases, but the activity of the salt melt decreases due to ion depletion and accumulation of extraneous ions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of processed glass articlesVSAvoidactivity of the salt melt

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the discarding and recovering principle by introducing a regeneration material that recovers potassium ions from the depleted salt melt and removes accumulated extraneous alkali metal ions. The regeneration material is periodically exchanged with the salt melt, restoring its ion composition and activity without requiring complete replacement of the salt melt, thus maintaining productivity while preserving reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Solution Approach 2:

The regeneration material performs self-service by automatically exchanging ions with the salt melt through contact. The material's composition (containing potassium ions and ion-exchange capacity) enables it to spontaneously restore the salt melt's activity by releasing potassium ions and binding extraneous ions, eliminating the need for external intervention or complex regeneration systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Duration of action of stationary object

If the salt melt is used for extended periods, then operational time increases, but the salt melt deteriorates due to decomposition and accumulation of harmful substances

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveusability duration of the salt meltVSAvoidaccumulation of extraneous alkali metal ions and decomposition products

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The regeneration material acts as an intermediary between the salt melt and the harmful substances. It mediates the ion exchange process by selectively binding extraneous alkali metal ions and releasing potassium ions, thereby preventing the accumulation of harmful substances in the salt melt and extending its usable duration without affecting the salt melt's fundamental composition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful effect of accumulated extraneous ions into a beneficial regeneration process. The regeneration material's capacity to bind these harmful ions is utilized to restore salt melt activity, transforming the deterioration mechanism into a self-correcting system that extends operational duration while eliminating harmful accumulations.

Inventive Principle:

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

3Reliability

If regeneration material is introduced into the salt melt, then the salt melt activity is maintained, but the complexity of the process increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesalt melt activityVSAvoidprocess complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent maintains salt melt activity by changing the composition parameter of the regeneration material rather than modifying the salt melt itself. The regeneration material's specific composition (potassium content, ion-exchange capacity, physical form) is optimized to perform regeneration through simple contact, avoiding complex equipment while maintaining reliability through parameter optimization of the material itself.

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

The regeneration material effectively delays or prevents aging phenomena in the salt melt, allowing for the hardening and strengthening of a large number of glass articles without salt melt replacement, while being non-corrosive and environmentally safe, with efficient ion exchange at temperatures below 495°C.

Implementation Method 1

potassium-containing silicate glass is used as a regeneration material to maintain or prolong the usability of the salt melt by preventing ion concentration increases, pH elevation, and particulate impurities through ion exchange

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIon exchange: Ion Exchange

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentUS20230312410A1Regeneration material for regeneration of a salt melt used for a glass toughening and/or glass strengthening process

Publication Date: 2023.10.05 REVISALT GMBH

AI summary

The invention relates inter glia to a regeneration material for regeneration of a salt melt used for a glass toughening and/or glass strengthening process, comprising potassium nitrate or consisting of potassium nitrate. The regeneration material comprises a potassium-containing silicate glass or consists of a potassium-containing silicate glass.