Stable Ionic Titanium Production via Chelation and pH Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge lies in producing soluble, stable, and non-sedimentary titanium products that can be easily absorbed by plants, as titanium in its insoluble form is not readily available in the soil and tends to hydrolyze at higher pH levels, making it difficult for plants to absorb.
Innovation Solution
A continuous method involving a redox reaction between titanium and a strong acid to produce a titanium salt solution, followed by primary and secondary chelation reactions, pH adjustments using multipoint, spiral, reversal, and atomization spraying techniques, and the addition of microelements to create a stable ionic titanium solution with controlled pH and concentration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If titanium is provided in insoluble form (TiO2), then it exists stably in the environment, but it is difficult for plants to absorb
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of titanium by converting it from insoluble TiO2 form to soluble ionic titanium form through redox reaction with strong acid, then stabilizes it through chelation with organic compounds. This transforms the titanium into a form that maintains stability while becoming plant-absorbable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces chelating agents (organic compounds) as intermediaries between titanium and plants. These chelators form stable complexes with titanium ions, preventing hydrolysis and precipitation while maintaining solubility and plant absorbability.
2Ease of operation
If titanium salt solution is used to provide soluble titanium, then plant absorption is improved, but the solution is unstable and hydrolyzes at pH higher than 0.5
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces chelating agents as intermediaries that bind to titanium ions, forming stable chelate complexes. This prevents hydrolysis and precipitation even at elevated pH levels, maintaining solution stability while preserving solubility and plant absorbability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite system combining titanium ions with organic chelating agents. This composite chelate complex exhibits both the solubility needed for plant absorption and the stability required to prevent hydrolysis, resolving the contradiction between these two properties.
3Ease of operation
If Ti4+ is used to provide ionic titanium, then plant absorption is enhanced, but it has very strong polarity and readily hydrolyzes, particularly at high pH
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses chelating agents as intermediaries that coordinate with Ti4+ ions, distributing the high polarity charge across a larger molecular structure. This reduces the tendency for hydrolysis and precipitation while maintaining the ionic character needed for plant absorption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the effective charge distribution parameter by introducing chelating agents that delocalize the high polarity of Ti4+. This modifies the hydrolysis behavior while preserving the ionic nature required for plant uptake.
4Device complexity
If conventional mixing methods are used, then the process is simple, but the mixing efficiency and pH control are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the mixing process into multiple stages with separate reaction kettles for different operations (redox reaction, chelation, pH adjustment). Each stage has controlled conditions, improving overall mixing efficiency and pH control while maintaining reasonable process complexity.
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 results in a hydrolysis-resistant stable ionic titanium solution that can be continuously produced, enhancing plant absorption and stability, with improved control over pH and mixing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A redox reaction is carried out in a reaction kettle between titanium and an excessive strong acid. The metal titanium is dissolved and a titanium salt solution comprising ionic titanium is produced.
Implementation Method 2
The titanium salt solution and a chelator are put into a chelation kettle via first and second metering pumps for a primary chelation reaction; the molar ratio between the titanium salt solution and the chelator is 1:1.
Implementation Method 3
Alkaline liquor is fed through a fifth metering pump from an alkaline liquor tank to the first precise mixing reaction kettle containing the diluted product. The pH value is between 2.5 ̃3
Data Source
AI summary
A continuous method and a production device for producing hydrolysis-resistant stable ionic titanium (Ti4+) are provided. The method comprises six steps: (i) carrying out a redox reaction between metal titanium and excess strong acid; (ii) carrying out primary chelation; (iii) diluting; (iv) adjusting pH value for the first time; (v) carrying out secondary chelation; and (vi) adding microelement and adjusting pH value for a second time. The device includes a reaction kettle, multiple metering pumps, a chelation kettle, dilution tank, multiple precise mixing reaction kettles, a first chelator storage tank, a pure water storage tank, an alkali liquor storage tank, a second chelator storage tank, multiple microelements storage tanks, a control center, etc. The method uses a multi-point, spiral, reverse and atomization spraying technique synchronously to carry out digital fully automatic continuous production and reach the effect of elaborately mixing the material. Also, the method greatly shortens the inter-dissolving time of the materials, easily controls the pH of the solution, and improves the stability of the product.