Water Absorbing Agent Bulk Density Surfactant
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing particulate water absorbing agents face challenges in achieving high bulk specific gravity while maintaining water absorption speed and physical properties, often requiring vibrational filling and increasing production costs or affecting surface tension.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the addition of a surfactant with an HLB of 10 or less, specifically 30 parts by weight to 150 parts by weight relative to the water absorbent resin, after the drying step and water-soluble polyvalent metal salt addition, to enhance bulk specific gravity without impairing water absorption performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the specific surface area of the water absorbent resin is increased to improve water absorbing speed, then the water absorbing speed is improved, but the bulk specific gravity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameter of the resin by introducing a hydrophobic group through reaction with an organic isocyanate compound. This chemical modification alters the surface properties of the resin particles, creating a hydrophobic surface layer that prevents liquid bridging between particles. This allows the resin to maintain higher bulk specific gravity even when specific surface area is increased, as the hydrophobic surface prevents the capillary action that would otherwise cause particles to aggregate and reduce bulk density.
2Ease of operation
If vibration is applied to fill the container with water absorbent resin, then the filling process is improved, but the water absorbent resin is damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The invention modifies the surface chemical parameters of the resin by adding a hydrophobic group through isocyanate reaction. This creates a protective hydrophobic surface layer that reduces particle-particle adhesion and prevents liquid bridging. As a result, the resin particles maintain their structural integrity during vibration filling, as the hydrophobic surface prevents the formation of liquid bridges that would otherwise cause particle aggregation and mechanical damage during the vibration process.
3Weight of stationary object
If surfactant is added to increase bulk specific gravity, then the bulk specific gravity is improved, but the surface tension of the absorbed liquid is decreased causing increase in returned liquid amount
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding a separate surfactant substance to modify surface properties, the invention creates a surfactant-like hydrophobic surface layer directly on the resin particles through chemical reaction with isocyanate compounds. This in-situ formed hydrophobic layer copies the function of external surfactants by reducing surface tension and preventing liquid bridging, but without the harmful side effect of decreasing the surface tension of the absorbed liquid. The hydrophobic group is covalently bonded to the resin, ensuring it remains fixed and does not leach into the absorbed liquid.
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 allows for higher bulk specific gravity without compromising water absorption speed, reducing the need for vibrational filling and minimizing surface tension changes, resulting in a high-performance absorbent with improved handling and absorption capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a surfactant adding step of adding a surfactant whose HLB is 10 or less
Implementation Method 2
The water absorbent resin (SAP/Super Absorbent Polymer) is a water-swelling and water-insoluble polymer gelatinizer and is used mainly for absorbing articles
Implementation Method 3
a polyacrylic acid (salt)-based water absorbent resin in which acrylic acid and/or salt thereof is used as a monomer(s) is industrially most widely used because of its high water absorption performance
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a water absorbing agent which is excellent in its water absorbing physical properties, in particular water absorbing speed, and has a great bulk specific gravity. Specifically, the water absorbing agent according to the present invention comprises a polyacrylic acid (salt)-based water absorbent resin as a main component, and has a Hausner ratio of less than 1.18 and a water absorbing speed (FSR) of 0.25 [g/g/s] or more. Furthermore, the water absorbing agent (i) has a bulk specific gravity of 0.61 g/ml to 0.80 g/ml, or (ii) further comprises a surfactant whose HLB is 1 to 6.


