Powdery Cationic Polymer Composition for Flocculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cationic polymer compositions used for flocculation in solid-liquid separation, such as in paper manufacture and wastewater purification, often suffer from high levels of insolubles and viscosity issues during production, which affect their effectiveness and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A powdery, water-soluble cationic polymer composition comprising two different cationic polymers with varying chemical nature and molecular weight, formed through radical adiabatic gel polymerization and non-radical polymerization methods, resulting in a low residual insoluble content and improved solubility, facilitating enhanced flocculation and dewatering processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If dry powder mixtures of different polymers are used for flocculation, then transportation cost is reduced due to almost anhydrous condition, but phase-separation phenomena occur leading to faulty proportioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two different cationic polymers into a single homogeneous powder composition through co-polymerization, eliminating phase-separation while maintaining the benefits of dry powder form for cost-effective transportation and storage
2Reliability
If high proportions of coagulant are used in polymerization (5:1 to 1:1.5 ratio), then flocculation effectiveness is improved, but viscosity problems occur during production
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the coagulant to polymer component ratio to a range of 1:4 to 1:20, significantly reducing the coagulant proportion compared to prior art (5:1 to 1:1.5), thereby eliminating viscosity problems during production while maintaining effective flocculation performance
3Reliability
If conventional cationic polymer compositions are used for flocculation, then flocculation function is provided, but high levels of insolubles remain after dispersion in water causing operational issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs radical adiabatic gel polymerization with optimized monomer ratios and reaction conditions, achieving superior water solubility and reducing insoluble content to less than 5 ml/l after dispersion, eliminating filter plugging and production breaks while maintaining effective flocculation function
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 composition achieves superior turbidity reduction, starch fixation, and drainage properties with reduced insoluble content, leading to more efficient solid-liquid separation and reduced operational issues like plugged filters and breaks in paper production.
Implementation Method 1
the invention relates to powdery, water-soluble, cationic polymer composition... which can be used for promoting flocculation during solid/liquid separation
Implementation Method 2
The best turbidity reductions can be observed for both inventive combinations containing inventive composition I-1
Implementation Method 3
Both examples show good starch fixation
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to powdery, water-soluble, cationic polymer composition comprising at least two different cationic polymers, namely a first cationic polymer and a second cationic polymer, which differ in chemical nature and molecular weight, as well to a method for producing such powdery, water-soluble, cationic polymer composition, and to its use for promoting flocculation in solid-liquid separation, for example as a retention aid in paper manufacture, and in sludge dewatering/wastewater purification.