Title: Purposely Built - Introduction of a New Copolymer for Multifunctional Applications
Learner Objectives:
The intent is to present the purpose driven decision making details around the of development of a new water treatment polymer with multifunctional characteristics.
Content/Topic Outline:
- Overview of Structure Function Properties of Polymer Design
- Give and Take Discussion of Building Block Selection and Polymerization Methodologies
- Comparison of Selected Industry Standard Polymers to New Purposely Designed Polymer using Bench Top and Pilot Testing Techniques.
Presenter:
Mike Standish will present the entire content.
Presentation Description:
The use of synthetic polymers for mineral scale control in water treatment applications has progressed over the past 50 years. However, most developments occurred towards the onset of widespread use of synthetic polymers in our industry. Early polymers comprised of primarly carboxylate functionality such as polyacrylic acids, polymethacrylic acids, and polymaleic acids and their salts. The 1970's saw the development and use of copolymers that incorporated sulfonation and, separately, non-ionic moieties. This was further advanced in the late 1980's where all three functional types (carboxylate, sulfonate, non-ionic) were combined in a single copolymer in an effort to leverage functionality contribution from each monomer type. Over the past 30+ years, new polymer development has largely been variations upon this theme of the use of these three functionality types where incremental benefits have been realized. However, most of these benefits have largely been defined by the additive suppliers based upon narrow functionality targets without specific thought of formulation and field use implications. The intent of this paper is to introduce a new polymer that has been purposely designed to take advantage of industry learnings, post launch feedback from field use of incumbent technologies, and intentional structure function design. The paper will provide useful formulation and performance data to the AWT membership and provide comparisons of the new polymer to commonly utilized polymers using both bench top and pilot testing.
Presenter Bio:
Michael Standish is Vice President – Water Additives at Radical Polymers a Division of MFG Chemical, LLC. Previously, Mike was founder of Radical Polymers, LLC, a business designed to specifically develop and provide technologies to the independent water treatment community. Mike has 36 years’ experience in water treatment additive design, development and evaluation. Prior to forming Radical Polymers, Mike served as Senior Business Manager for International Specialty Products and Global Business Manager for National Starch's Alco Chemical business. Mike has served on the Board of Directors of AWT and holds a BS in Chemistry and master’s in business administration from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.