Rebalancing Multi-Component Solvent Solutions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for rebalancing multi-component solvent solutions used in photosensitive printing elements are inefficient, often requiring complex analytical testing and resulting in incomplete removal of unpolymerized materials, which can lead to mechanical damage and increased development time, and are not effective for solutions with three or more components.

Innovation Solution

A method that involves measuring multiple properties of the reclaimant solution, using equations generated from experimental compositions to calculate the necessary adjustments to rebalance the components, and adding specific components to achieve a targeted composition, allowing for immediate in-house feedback and correction of the solvent solution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If complex analytical testing is used to determine component proportions in reclaimant solution, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent proportion measurementVSAvoidanalytical testing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses simple physical property measurements (refractive index, density, viscosity) as intermediary parameters to indirectly determine component proportions in the reclaimant solution. These measurements serve as mediators that correlate with composition without requiring complex direct analysis, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining sufficient measurement precision for rebalancing decisions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex analytical testing systems with simpler measurement systems based on physical property assessments. By substituting sophisticated analytical instruments with basic measurement tools that assess refractive index, density, and viscosity, the system achieves practical composition determination with significantly reduced complexity and cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If development time is increased to compensate for incomplete removal, then removal effectiveness is improved, but productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial removal effectivenessVSAvoiddevelopment process throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the measured physical properties of the reclaimant solution are continuously monitored and used to adjust the rebalancing process. This feedback loop ensures that the solvent composition is optimized for effective material removal, preventing incomplete removal that would otherwise require extended development times and thereby maintaining both reliability and productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically adjusts the composition parameters of the reclaimant solution by adding specific components based on measured physical properties. By changing the concentration and composition parameters of the solvent mixture, the system optimizes removal effectiveness without requiring increased development time, thus maintaining high productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If brushing is increased to aid removal, then removal effectiveness is improved, but mechanical damage risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveunpolymerized material removalVSAvoidmechanical damage to relief structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the chemical parameters of the development solution by rebalancing component proportions in the reclaimant. By adjusting solvent composition to maintain optimal solubility and swelling characteristics, the system enhances material removal effectiveness through chemical action alone, reducing or eliminating the need for aggressive mechanical brushing that could damage the relief structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Loss of substance

If development solution is recycled to reduce cost, then loss of substance is reduced, but composition balance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesolvent lossVSAvoidcomponent proportion balance

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent recycles the reclaimant solution after removing contaminants and rebalancing its composition. By recovering the solvent components through filtration and then rebalancing the component proportions based on measured physical properties, the system maintains solution effectiveness while minimizing solvent loss and reducing the need for fresh solvent addition

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs feedback control where measured physical properties of the recycled reclaimant solution determine the amount and type of components to add for rebalancing. This feedback mechanism ensures that recycled solution maintains optimal composition balance, enabling continuous reuse without degradation of performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 ensures continued effective removal of materials from photosensitive elements by maintaining the optimal composition of the solvent solution, reducing the risk of mechanical damage and environmental impact, and avoiding the need for costly analytical testing.

Implementation Method 1

measuring the refractive index of the reclaimant with a refractometer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 2

measuring the specific gravity of the reclaimant with a hydrometer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Implementation Method 3

the photosensitive elements are characterized by their ability to crosslink or cure upon exposure to actinic radiation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotopolymerisation: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 4

contaminated development solution is distilled to separate the contaminants, i.e., unpolymerized material and other materials, from the reclaimant solution of the solvent and optional non-solvent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDistillation: Distillation

Implementation Method 5

contaminated development solution is mechanically separated by centrifuge and optionally filtration to separate the contaminants from the reclaimant solution

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal separation: Centrifugal Separation

Data Source

PatentEP2444846B1Method for rebalancing a multicomponent solvent solution

Publication Date: 2015.04.22 EI DU PONT DE NEMOURS & CO

AI summary

The invention pertains to a method for rebalancing a solvent solution useful for treating photosensitive printing elements having a photopolymerizable layer. The solvent solution becomes contaminated with unpolymerized material and other materials that release from the photosensitive printing elements during washout treating, and separation of contaminates also removes some of one or more components in the used solvent solution. The method rebalances the proportion of the components in a solvent solution having 3 or more components. The method includes measuring a reclaimant, which has been separated from the contaminates, for two or more properties, calculating a mass of the components to be added to the reclaimant based on an equation generated for each measured property, and adding the mass of the component or components to the reclaimant to adjust the proportion of the components in the reclaimant to targeted proportions.