Powderous Vitamin E Formulation Explosion Hazard Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vitamin E powder formulations pose an explosion hazard due to their small particle size, which is a risk in various processes, and existing formulations have low minimum ignition energy, making them prone to dust explosions.

Innovation Solution

A powderous formulation comprising at least 50% vitamin E and/or its derivatives, 0.5-8% specific auxiliary compounds, and 40% carrier material, with particle sizes between 10µm and 100µm, which significantly increases the minimum ignition energy to 10-1000 mJ, reducing the explosion hazard.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If powderous vitamin E formulations are used to achieve free flowability and ease of transport, then handling convenience is improved, but explosion hazard increases due to small particle size

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandling convenienceVSAvoidexplosion hazard
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

An auxiliary compound with specific particle size (10-100 µm) is introduced as an intermediary substance between the fine vitamin E powder and the environment. This intermediary layer modifies the surface properties and particle size distribution, reducing the explosiveness of the fine particles while preserving the free-flowing powder characteristics needed for handling and transport.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the particle size parameter by incorporating auxiliary compounds within a specific size range (10-100 µm). This parameter modification affects the dust explosion characteristics by reducing the proportion of ultra-fine particles (<10 µm) that are most prone to explosion, while maintaining adequate flowability through controlled particle size distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If small particle size powder is used to improve dissolution and bioavailability, then product efficacy is improved, but minimum ignition energy decreases making explosions more likely

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct efficacyVSAvoidminimum ignition energy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention creates a composite powder formulation combining vitamin E with auxiliary compounds of specific particle sizes. This composite structure maintains the fine particle characteristics needed for dissolution and bioavailability while the auxiliary compound matrix reduces the overall explosiveness by altering the particle size distribution and surface properties of the composite material.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP2658517B2Powderous vitamin e formulations
Publication Date: 2021.10.06 DSM IP ASSETS BV

AI summary

The present invention relates to improved vitamin E formulations, as well as to the production of such formulations.