Treatment of textile materials
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for flame-retardant treatment of textile materials using poly(hydroxyorgano) phosphonium compounds result in effluents with significant levels of water-soluble phosphorus species, which are hazardous and require costly and complex removal processes.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves impregnating textile materials with a poly(hydroxyorgano) phosphonium compound, curing with ammonia to increase the atomic ratio of N:P, and removing 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane and its derivatives from the effluent, converting the phosphorus species into forms that can be readily removed without harsh treatments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional flame-retardant treatment methods using poly(hydroxyorgano) phosphonium compounds are used, then flame-retardant properties are achieved, but water-soluble phosphorus species are generated in effluent requiring harsh and costly treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the effluent by controlling the curing process to convert water-soluble phosphorus species into water-insoluble forms. By optimizing curing temperature, time, and ammonia atmosphere, the phosphorus compounds are transformed into stable, insoluble complexes that do not contaminate effluent, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining flame-retardant efficacy and reducing environmental harm.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the harmful water-soluble phosphorus species into beneficial water-insoluble forms through controlled curing. The same phosphorus compounds that initially cause environmental pollution are transformed into stable, insoluble complexes that maintain flame-retardant properties while eliminating solubility issues. This transforms the harmful characteristic (water solubility) into a beneficial one (water insolubility).
2Quantity of substance
If harsh oxidation treatments are applied to remove water-soluble phosphorus species, then effluent purity is improved, but process complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies preliminary action by performing the phosphorus species transformation during the curing stage before effluent generation. By controlling the curing process to convert phosphorus compounds into insoluble forms upfront, the need for subsequent harsh oxidation treatments is eliminated. This preliminary transformation simplifies the overall process and reduces effluent treatment complexity.
3Quantity of substance
If prolonged and harsh oxidation treatments are used to remove THPO from effluent, then phosphorus removal efficiency is improved, but treatment time and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the problematic THPO (tetrakis(hydroxymethyl)phosphonium oxide) species into stable, insoluble phosphorus complexes during the curing process. By transforming THPO into water-insoluble forms upfront, the need for prolonged oxidation treatments is eliminated, significantly reducing effluent treatment time and energy consumption while maintaining high phosphorus removal efficiency.
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 approach transforms the effluent to contain mainly 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane derivatives, which are easily removable using ion exchange or other methods, reducing the need for harsh oxidation treatments and simplifying the effluent treatment process.
Implementation Method 1
curing the dried impregnated material with ammonia to produce a cured, water-insoluble polymer which is mechanically fixed within the fibres of the material
Implementation Method 2
oxidising the cured polymer to convert trivalent phosphorus to pentavalent phosphorus
Implementation Method 3
removing 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane and/or derivatives thereof from the aqueous effluent
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a method for treating textile material to confer flame retardant properties, the method comprising the steps of impregnating the material with an aqueous solution of a treatment agent which is a poly (hydroxyorgano) phosphonium compound; drying the impregnated material; curing the dried impregnated material with ammonia to produce a cured, water-insoluble polymer which is mechanically fixed within the fibres of the material; oxidising the cured polymer to convert trivalent phosphorus to pentavalent phosphorus; and washing and drying the material; wherein one or both of steps (d) and (e) result in the co-production of an aqueous effluent; and wherein the conditions are controlled such that the atomic ratio of N:P present on the material increases during step (c) by 0.8 or more.