Short Path Evaporator for High Viscosity Silicone Volatile Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for silicone manufacturers require an additional baking step to comply with stringent quality standards for volatile constituents in end products, which is time-consuming and costly.

Innovation Solution

A method using a short path evaporator to remove volatile constituents from high-viscosity silicone polymers or compositions before crosslinking, eliminating the need for a baking step by evaporating and condensing these constituents, resulting in a more economical and eco-friendly process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a baking step is added to remove volatile constituents, then the quality standard compliance is improved, but the production time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevolatile constituent removal efficiencyVSAvoidproduction cycle time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by removing volatile constituents from the silicone polymer or composition before the crosslinking reaction occurs. This pre-treatment step eliminates the need for subsequent baking of vulcanized end products, thereby reducing production time while ensuring quality standard compliance. The volatile constituents are evaporated and removed in advance, preventing their entrapment in the crosslinked network.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter changes by operating the short path evaporator under reduced pressure (vacuum conditions) and controlled temperature ranges. These parameter modifications enable efficient volatile constituent removal from high-viscosity materials without requiring excessive heating time or subsequent baking steps, thus resolving the contradiction between removal efficiency and production time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If a baking step is added to remove volatile constituents, then the quality standard compliance is improved, but the production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevolatile constituent removal efficiencyVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By performing volatile constituent removal before crosslinking, the patent eliminates the need for expensive post-vulcanization baking equipment and energy consumption. This preliminary treatment step reduces overall manufacturing costs while maintaining quality standard compliance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the thermal baking process (mechanical heating system) with a vacuum evaporation process using a short path evaporator. This substitution reduces energy consumption and equipment costs while achieving superior volatile constituent removal efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If volatile constituents are removed before crosslinking, then the processing efficiency is improved, but the process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing efficiencyVSAvoidevaporation system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the volatile constituent removal function into a dedicated short path evaporator unit operated under vacuum. This extraction allows for efficient pre-treatment of the silicone material before crosslinking, improving overall productivity while containing the complexity within a specialized module rather than complicating the entire production line.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 method significantly reduces the level of volatile constituents in the final product, meeting quality standards without the need for additional processing steps, thereby saving time and resources.

Implementation Method 1

A method using a short path evaporator to remove volatile constituents from high-viscosity silicone polymers or compositions before crosslinking, eliminating the need for a baking step by evaporating and condensing these constituents

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

A method using a short path evaporator to remove volatile constituents from high-viscosity silicone polymers or compositions before crosslinking, eliminating the need for a baking step by evaporating and condensing these constituents

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Data Source

PatentUS11384206B2Devolatization of highly viscous silicone fluids in the short path evaporator
Publication Date: 2022.07.12 WACKER CHEMIE AG

AI summary

Volatile siloxanes, particularly those of a cyclic nature, are removed from high viscosity silicone polymers and high viscosity silicone compositions by evaporation in a short path evaporator.