Flame-Retardant Textile Treatment With Low-Phosphorus Effluent
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for flame-retardant treatment of textile materials using poly(hydroxyorgano)phosphonium compounds result in effluent with significant levels of water-soluble phosphorus species, which are hazardous and require costly and complex removal processes.
Innovation Solution
The method involves impregnating textile materials with a poly(hydroxyorgano)phosphonium compound, drying, curing with ammonia to increase the atomic ratio of N:P by 0.8 or more, and oxidizing the polymer to convert trivalent phosphorus to pentavalent phosphorus, resulting in an effluent predominantly containing 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane and derivatives, which can be more easily removed using ion exchange or other techniques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If poly(hydroxyorgano)phosphonium compound is used for flame-retardant treatment, then flame-retardant properties are achieved, but water-soluble phosphorus species are generated in effluent which are hazardous and costly to remove
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the effluent by controlling the curing process to increase atomic ratio of N:P by 0.8 or more, which transforms the form of phosphorus species from water-soluble THPO to less soluble forms, thereby reducing environmental hazard while maintaining flame-retardant effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the harmful water-soluble phosphorus species into less harmful forms by optimizing the curing conditions, thereby transforming an environmental problem into a beneficial outcome where the same treatment process produces effluent that is easier and cheaper to treat
2Loss of substance
If harsh oxidation treatments are used to remove water-soluble phosphorus species, then phosphorus removal is achieved, but treatment cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary action during the curing step by controlling the atomic ratio of N:P increase, which pre-transforms the phosphorus species into less soluble forms before effluent treatment, thereby simplifying subsequent treatment processes and reducing overall 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 approach significantly reduces the amount of water-soluble phosphorus in the effluent, allowing for easier and less harsh removal processes, thereby reducing treatment costs and complexity while maintaining flame-retardant properties in the treated textiles.
Implementation Method 1
curing the dried impregnated material with ammonia to produce a cured, water-insoluble polymer
Implementation Method 2
oxidising the cured polymer to convert trivalent phosphorus to pentavalent phosphorus
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 fibers of the material; oxidizing 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.