Silane-Treated Titanium Dioxide Drying Without Micronizing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional titanium dioxide pigment production processes require an energy-intensive micronizing step to achieve the desired particle size distribution, leading to increased costs and energy consumption, and the resulting products often have an unacceptable level of oversized particles that affect gloss properties in paints and inks.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the treatment of titanium dioxide particles with a silane of formula (R II< (OR I< ) a ORSiX 3 ) before drying, which maintains an acceptable particle size distribution without the need for micronizing, ensuring the particles can be readily dispersed in vehicles to form high-quality pigmentary products.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a micronizing step is used to achieve desired particle size distribution, then particle size uniformity is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary action by controlling particle size during the precipitation process itself, rather than relying on post-processing micronization. By adjusting pH, temperature, and precipitation conditions, the desired particle size distribution (0.29-0.32 microns mean size) is achieved directly during manufacturing, eliminating the need for energy-intensive micronizing steps later
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical micronizing system with a chemical/physical precipitation control system. Instead of using mechanical energy (fluid energy mills, jet mills) to reduce particle size after formation, the process uses controlled chemical precipitation conditions (pH adjustment, temperature control, reagent addition) to form particles of the desired size directly, substituting mechanical size reduction with controlled formation
2Stability of the object's composition
If conventional drying and treating steps are applied, then product stability is improved, but particle aggregation occurs leading to oversized particles
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces dispersants and surface treatment agents as intermediary substances during the drying and treating steps. These intermediaries prevent particle aggregation by maintaining particle separation during moisture removal and subsequent handling, ensuring that the particle size distribution achieved during precipitation is maintained through the finishing process
Solution Approach 2:
The invention carefully controls process parameters during drying and treating to prevent aggregation. By maintaining specific temperature ranges, pH levels, and using controlled drying rates, the process preserves particle size distribution while achieving the necessary product stability and flow properties
3Use of energy by moving object
If particles are not micronized, then energy consumption is reduced, but gloss properties in paints and inks deteriorate due to oversized particles
Solution Approach 1:
The invention achieves preliminary formation of particles with the exact size range (0.29-0.32 microns mean size) required for optimal gloss properties directly during the precipitation process. This preliminary sizing action eliminates the need for subsequent micronization while ensuring the particle size is appropriate for high-gloss paint and ink applications
Solution Approach 2:
The invention may utilize fluid energy processing during precipitation and drying to control particle morphology and size distribution. By using controlled fluid flow and pressure during the formation and drying stages, the process achieves both energy efficiency and the particle characteristics needed for good gloss properties without requiring additional mechanical micronization
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 method produces a dry titanium dioxide product with a desired particle size distribution, allowing for efficient dispersion in paints and inks without micronizing, thereby reducing energy consumption and maintaining excellent gloss properties.
Implementation Method 1
treating the titanium dioxide particles with a silane of formula (1)
Implementation Method 2
drying the dispersion to provide the dry titanium dioxide product
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention provides a method for preparing a dry titanium dioxide product, comprising the steps of: - providing a dispersion comprising titanium dioxide particles; - treating the titanium dioxide particles with a silane of formula (I): RII(ORI)aORSiX3 (I) wherein R is a divalent C1-24 organic group that is carbon-bonded to the silicon atom, RI is a C2-6 alkylene group, RII is hydrogen, a C1-16 alkyl group, a C2-16 alkyl ether group, or a C2-12 acyloxy group, X is a hydrolysable group, and a is a number having a value from 3 to 150; and then - drying the dispersion to provide a dry titanium dioxide product. The dry titanium dioxide product may optionally be dispersed within a vehicle.