# US 7,745,529 B2 · Flocculant composition and method for manufacturing the same

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- Number: US 7,745,529 B2
- Document ID: US7745529B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 12/362,916
- Filed: 2009-01-30
- Published: 2009-05-28
- Granted: 2010-06-29
- Earliest claimed: 2006-08-03
- Assignees: Hymo Corporation
- Inventors: Ryousuke Yonemoto; Syougo Wakatuki
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7745529B2

## CPC

- B03D 3/06: Flocculation
- C08L 33/02: Homopolymers or copolymers of acids; Metal or ammonium salts thereof
- C02F 11/147: using organic substances (C02F11/148 takes precedence)
- C08L 2205/02: containing two or more polymers of the same C08L -group
- B03D: FLOTATION; DIFFERENTIAL SEDIMENTATION (sedimentation in general B01D21/00; in combination with other separation of solids B03B; sink-float separation B03B5/28; detergents, soaps C11D)
- C08L: COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS (compositions based on polymerisable monomers C08F, C08G; artificial filaments or fibres D01F; textile treating compositions D06)
- C02F: TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE (separation in general B01D; special arrangements on waterborne vessels of installations for treating water, waste water or sewage, e.g. for producing fresh water, B63J; adding materials to water to prevent corrosion C23F; treating radioactively-contaminated liquids G21F9/04; regeneration of reactants for recirculation into processes, see the relevant places for the processes)

## Abstract

A flocculent composition and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The flocculent composition has an excellent ability to adhere to suspended particles, does not cause an increase in the viscosity of sludge, provides good drainage during mechanical dewatering to allow a reduction in the water content of a cake, and is applicable to various types of sludge. These characteristics are obtained by utilizing advantages of a crosslinking water-soluble polymer and a linear water-soluble polymer and changing the compounding ratio of the crosslinking water-soluble polymer to the linear water-soluble polymer according to the form of the size distribution of sludge particles. The flocculent composition includes a vinyl crosslinking water-soluble polymer (A) having a charge inclusion ratio of 20% or more and a vinyl linear water-soluble polymer (B) having a charge inclusion ratio of 5% or more and less than 20%. The flocculant composition is preferably configured such that the compounding ratio of the vinyl crosslinking water-soluble polymer (A) having a charge inclusion ratio of 20% or more to the vinyl linear water-soluble polymer (B) having a charge inclusion ratio of 5% or more and less than 20% is changed according to a change in the percent by mass of 200-mesh particles in sludge based on the total mass of the suspended particles in the sludge.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A flocculant composition comprising a vinyl crosslinking water-soluble ionic polymer (A) having a charge inclusion ratio of 20% or more and a vinyl linear water-soluble ionic polymer (B) having a charge inclusion ratio of 5% or more and less than 20%, wherein a compounding ratio (a/b) of the vinyl crosslinking water-soluble ionic polymer (A) to the vinyl linear water-soluble ionic polymer (B) is changed according to an amount in percent by mass of 200-mesh particles based on a total mass of suspended particles in a sludge so as to satisfy 0.2≦a/b≦9 when 0<X≦10 percent by mass, 0.4≦a/b≦3 when 10<X≦20 percent by mass, and 0.1≦a/b≦2 when 20<X≦60 percent by mass, where X is an amount of percent by mass of the 200-mesh particles in the sludge, a is an amount in percent by mass of the vinyl crosslinking water-soluble ionic polymer (A), and b is an amount in percent by mass of the vinyl polymer type linear water-soluble ionic polymer (B).

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The flocculant composition according to claim 1, wherein the vinyl crosslinking water-soluble ionic polymer (A) is obtained by polymerizing a water-soluble monomer mixture of: 5 to 99.9999 percent by mole of a water-soluble monomer represented by the following general formula (1) and/or general formula (2); 0 to 50 percent by mole of a water-soluble monomer represented by the following general formula (3); 0 to 95 percent by mole of a nonionic monomer; and 0.0001 to 0.1 percent by mole of a water-soluble monomer having a plurality of vinyl groups:
wherein R1 is hydrogen or a methyl group; R2 and R3 each are an alkyl or alkoxyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms; R4 is hydrogen, an alkyl or alkoxy group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, or a benzyl group; R1 to R4 may be the same or different; A is oxygen or NH; B is an alkylene or alkoxylene group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms; and X1 is an anion;
wherein R5 is hydrogen or a methyl group; R6 and R7 each are an alkyl or alkoxy group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms or a benzyl group; and X2 is an anion; and
wherein R8 is hydrogen, a methyl group, or CH2COOY2, wherein Y2 is hydrogen or a cation; Q is SO3, C6H4SO3, CONHC(CH3)2CH2SO3, C6H4COO, or COO; R9 is hydrogen or COOY1; and Y1 is hydrogen or a cation.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The flocculant composition according to claim 1, wherein the vinyl linear water-soluble ionic polymer (B) is obtained by polymerizing a water-soluble monomer mixture of: 5 to 100 percent by mole of a water-soluble monomer represented by the following general formula (1) and/or general formula (2); 0 to 50 percent by mole of a water-soluble monomer represented by the following general formula (3); and 0 to 95 percent by mole of a nonionic monomer:
wherein R1 is hydrogen or a methyl group; R2 and R3 each are an alkyl or alkoxyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms; R4 is hydrogen, an alkyl or alkoxy group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, or a benzyl group; R1 to R4 may be the same or different; A is oxygen or NH; B is an alkylene or alkoxylene group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms; and X1 is an anion;
wherein R5 is hydrogen or a methyl group; R6 and R7 each are an alkyl or alkoxy group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms or a benzyl group; and X2 is an anion; and
wherein R8 is hydrogen, a methyl group, or CH2COOY2, wherein Y2 is hydrogen or a cation; Q is SO3, C6H4SO3, CONHC(CH3)2CH2SO3, C6H4COO, or COO; R9 is hydrogen or COOY1; and Y1 is hydrogen or a cation.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The flocculant composition according to claim 1, wherein one of the vinyl crosslinking water-soluble ionic polymer (A) and the vinyl linear water-soluble ionic polymer (B) is a water-in-oil emulsion produced by: emulsifying the monomers or the monomer mixture and an organic liquid immiscible with water using a high-HLB (hydrophile-lipophile balance) surfactant such that the organic liquid forms a continuous phase and an aqueous solution of the water-soluble monomers forms a disperse phase; and polymerizing the monomers.

### Claim 5

A method for manufacturing a flocculant composition, characterized by changing a compounding ratio of the vinyl crosslinking water-soluble ionic polymer (A) having a charge inclusion ratio of 20% or more to a vinyl linear water-soluble ionic polymer (B) having a charge inclusion ratio of 5% or more and less than 20% according to a change in percent by mass of 200-mesh particles in sludge based on a total mass of suspended particles in the sludge.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The method for manufacturing a flocculant composition according to claim 5, wherein the following relationships are satisfied:
0.2≦a/b≦9 when 0<X≦10 percent by mass,
0.4≦a/b≦3 when 10<X≦20 percent by mass, and
0.19≦a/b≦2 when 20<X≦60 percent by mass,
where X is an amount (percent by mass) of the 200-mesh particles in the sludge, a is an amount (percent by mass) of the vinyl crosslinking water-soluble ionic polymer (A), and b is an amount (percent by mass) of the vinyl linear water-soluble ionic polymer (B).

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The method for manufacturing a flocculant composition according to claim 5, wherein the vinyl crosslinking water-soluble ionic polymer (A) is obtained by polymerizing a water-soluble monomer mixture of: 5 to 99.9999 percent by mole of a water-soluble monomer represented by the following general formula (1) and/or general formula (2); 0 to 50 percent by mole of a water-soluble monomer represented by the following general formula (3); 0 to 95 percent by mole of a nonionic monomer; and 0.0001 to 0.1 percent by mole of a water-soluble monomer having a plurality of vinyl groups:
wherein R1 is hydrogen or a methyl group; R2 and R3 each are an alkyl or alkoxyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms; R4 is hydrogen, an alkyl or alkoxy group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, or a benzyl group; R1 to R4 may be the same or different; A is oxygen or NH; B is an alkylene or alkoxylene group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms; and X1 is an anion;
wherein R5 is hydrogen or a methyl group; R6 and R7 each are an alkyl or alkoxy group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms or a benzyl group; and X2 is an anion; and
wherein R8 is hydrogen, a methyl group, or CH2COOY2, wherein Y2 is hydrogen or a cation; Q is SO3, C6H4SO3, CONHC(CH3)2CH2SO3, C6H4COO, or COO; R9 is hydrogen or COOY1; and Y1 is hydrogen or a cation.

### Claim 8 (depends on 5)

The method for manufacturing a flocculant composition according to claim 5, wherein the vinyl linear water-soluble ionic polymer (B) is obtained by polymerizing a water-soluble monomer mixture of: 5 to 100 percent by mole of a water-soluble monomer represented by the following general formula (1) and/or general formula (2); 0 to 50 percent by mole of a water-soluble monomer represented by the following general formula (3); and 0 to 95 percent by mole of a nonionic monomer:
wherein R1 is hydrogen or a methyl group; R2 and R3 each are an alkyl or alkoxyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms; R4 is hydrogen, an alkyl or alkoxy group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, or a benzyl group; R1 to R4 may be the same or different; A is oxygen or NH; B is an alkylene or alkoxylene group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms; and X1 is an anion;
wherein R5 is hydrogen or a methyl group; R6 and R7 each are an alkyl or alkoxy group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms or a benzyl group; and X2 is an anion; and
wherein R8 is hydrogen, a methyl group, or CH2COOY2, wherein Y2 is hydrogen or a cation; Q is SO3, C6H4SO3, CONHC(CH3)2CH2SO3, C6H4COO, or COO; R9 is hydrogen or COOY1; and Y1 is hydrogen or a cation.

### Claim 9 (depends on 5)

The method for manufacturing a flocculant composition according to claim 5, wherein one of the vinyl crosslinking water-soluble ionic polymer (A) and the vinyl linear water-soluble ionic polymer (B) is a water-in-oil emulsion produced by: emulsifying the monomers or the monomer mixture in an organic liquid immiscible with water using a high-HLB (hydrophile-lipophile balance) surfactant such that the organic liquid forms a continuous phase and an aqueous solution of the water-soluble monomers forms a disperse phase; and polymerizing the monomers.

### Claim 10 (depends on 6)

The method for manufacturing a flocculant composition according to claim 6, wherein the vinyl crosslinking water-soluble ionic polymer (A) is obtained by polymerizing a water-soluble monomer mixture of: 5 to 99.9999 percent by mole of a water-soluble monomer represented by the following general formula (1) and/or general formula (2); 0 to 50 percent by mole of a water-soluble monomer represented by the following general formula (3); 0 to 95 percent by mole of a nonionic monomer; and 0.0001 to 0.1 percent by mole of a water-soluble monomer having a plurality of vinyl groups:
wherein R1 is hydrogen or a methyl group; R2 and R3 each are an alkyl or alkoxyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms; R4 is hydrogen, an alkyl or alkoxy group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, or a benzyl group; R1 to R4 may be the same or different; A is oxygen or NH; B is an alkylene or alkoxylene group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms; and X1 is an anion;
wherein R5 is hydrogen or a methyl group; R6 and R7 each are an alkyl or alkoxy group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms or a benzyl group; and X2 is an anion; and
wherein R8 is hydrogen, a methyl group, or CH2COOY2, wherein Y2 is hydrogen or a cation; Q is SO3, C6H4SO3, CONHC(H3)2CH2SO3, C6H4COO, or COO; R9 is hydrogen or COOY1; and Y1 is hydrogen or a cation.

### Claim 11 (depends on 6)

The method for manufacturing a flocculant composition according to claim 6, wherein the vinyl linear water-soluble ionic polymer (B) is obtained by polymerizing a water-soluble monomer mixture of: 5 to 100 percent by mole of a water-soluble monomer represented by the following general formula (1) and/or general formula (2); 0 to 50 percent by mole of a water-soluble monomer represented by the following general formula (3); and 0 to 95 percent by mole of a nonionic monomer:
wherein R1 is hydrogen or a methyl group; R2 and R3 each are an alkyl or alkoxyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms; R4 is hydrogen, an alkyl or alkoxy group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, or a benzyl group; R1 to R4 may be the same or different; A is oxygen or NH; B is an alkylene or alkoxylene group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms; and X1 is an anion;
wherein R5 is hydrogen or a methyl group; R6 and R7 each are an alkyl or alkoxy group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms or a benzyl group; and X2 is an anion; and
wherein R8 is hydrogen, a methyl group, or CH2COOY2, wherein Y2 is hydrogen or a cation; Q is SO3, C6H4SO3, CONHC(CH*CH2SO3, C6H4COO, or COO; R9 is hydrogen or COOY1; and Y1 is hydrogen or a cation.

### Claim 12 (depends on 5)

The method for manufacturing a flocculant composition according to claim 5, wherein one of the vinyl crosslinking water-soluble ionic polymer (A) and the vinyl linear water-soluble ionic polymer (B) is a water-in-oil emulsion produced by: emulsifying the monomers or the monomer mixture in an organic liquid immiscible with water using a high-HLB (hydrophile-lipophile balance) surfactant such that the organic liquid forms a continuous phase and an aqueous solution of the water-soluble monomers forms a disperse phase; and polymerizing the monomers.