Improved sodium borohydride compositions and improved method of producing compacted sodium borohydride

Abstract: Sodium borohydride powder compositions include a silica-based anticaking agent to improve flowability without turbidity. In a method of making such a composition wherein a mixture of sodium borohydride and the anticaking agent are compacted under pressure, the use of the silica-based anticaking agent also improves processing, particularly the processing speed.

Description: The present invention is directed to sodium borohydride compositions in powder form which provide improved free-flow and to sodium borohydride compositions which exhibit reduced turbidity when dissolved in aqueous media. The present invention is also directed to an improved method of producing compacted sodium borohydride. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Sodium borohydride (NaBH₄) is a potent reducing agent useful in a variety of applications, including production of dithionite for pulp bleaching and recovery of heavy metals from waste streams. Dry sodium borohydride (referred to as "SBH") is typically produced as a powder having particle sizes of between about 30 and 100 µm and is used in many applications as a powder. To promote free-flow of SBH powder, it is known to admix SBH powder with an anticaking agent (referred to as "ACA"). The most widely used anticaking agent has been magnesium carbonate-based products (referred to as "mag carb"). When making SBH aqueous or nonaqueous solutions with magnesium carbonate-containing formulations, there is often a problem with turbidity, presumably because of inability of the magnesium carbonate to dissolve. There exists a need for powdered sodium borohydride compositions which exhibit turbidity when dissolved in aqueous media. The present invention provides a composition comprising sodium borohydride and a silica-based anticaking agent in an amount of 0.05 to 2 weight percent relative to the sodium borohydride. The silica-based anticaking agent provides improved free-flow of powdered sodium borohydride relative to magnesium cabonate-based anticaking agent. When dissolved in an aqueous medium, sodium borohydride that has been formulated with a silica based anti-caking agent exhibits substantially reduced turbidity. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of producing compacted sodium borohydride by admixing powdered sodium borohydride with powdered anticaking agent and compacting said mixture under pressure, characterised in that said anticaking agent comprises at least 90 % by weight of silica. Significantly improved production rates are achieved when a silica-based anticaking agent is used. Powdered borohydride generally has particle sizes in the range of between 30 and 100 micrometers. By silica-based anticaking agent is meant powders of particle size between 1 and 20 nanometers and containing at least 90 weight percent, preferably 95 weight percent, silicon dioxide. The anticaking agent may be fine silica powder obtained by any one of several processes (e.g., fumed silica or precipitated silica). Alternatively, silica powders coated with a hydrophobic substance, such as a silane, a silicon oil, a hydrocarbon oil, chlorinated hydrocarbon oil, or mixtures thereof may be used. Such coated silicas are sold, for example, by Cabot Corp. and by Degussa Corp. The silica-based anticaking agent is used at a level of between 0.05 and 2 wt percent relative to the sodium borohydride, preferably in the range of 0.1 to 1 wt percent. To produce a free-flowing composition, SBH and the silica-based anticaking agent are thoroughly blended, e.g., using a ribbon blender. Another form in which SBH is often marketed is compacted bodies which may take the form of pellets, caplets or granules. In the terminology of compacted SBH products, pellets are those produced by compaction in individual dies on a rotating plate feed and tend to be relatively large, e.g., cylinders 25 mm in diameter, 6 mm height. Briquette forms (termed "caplets") are produced by compaction between continuous roller presses that provide appropriate indentations for formation of the compacted product. The roller press approach produces compacted products more efficiently than the rotating die method. Caplets are generally considerably smaller than pellets, one typical caplet is 17 mm long X 11 mm wide with a thickness of 5 mm. Granules are fragmented pellets or caplets, more generally fragmented caplets, and are typically size-sorted with screens according to use requirements. Compaction pressures for forming either pellets or caplets are typically in the range of between 350 and 700 kg/cm². Compacted SBH's have the advantage over powdered SBH of reducing dust. Larger compacted products are inherently easier to handle than powder. Importantly, in processes wherein solvent is passed through a bed of SBH, compacted products lend themselves to bed formation much more readily than do powders. (It may become nearly impossible to pass solvent through powder which becomes compacted, whereas a bed of pellets, caplets or granules provides openings through which solvent may pass.) Compacted SBH was initially made from pure SBH powder. It has been found, however, that the use of an anticaking agent is advantageous in producing compacted SBH, particularly in the continuous feed processes, such as those utilized in producing caplets, as free flow of the SBH enhances production rates. In accordance with the invention, it is now found that SBH with silica-based anticaking agent can be compacted at a much higher production rate than SBH with a magnesium carbonate-based anticaking agent. The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to specific examples. Example 1 COMPARISON OF FLOW AND TURBIDITY OF SODIUM BOROHYDRIDE WITH MAGNESIUM CARBONATE-BASED ANTICAKING AGENT AND SILICA-BASED ANTICAKING AGENT Sodium borohydride was formulated with a magnesium carbonate based anticaking agent (Merck's Magcarb® L and silica based anticaking agent (Cabot's Cab-O-Sil® EH-5). The compositions, turbidity characteristics and flow characteristics, are shown below. (Total composition as listed is less than 100%; the balance is minor impurities, such as sodium borate, which sodium borohydride typically contains.) It can be seen that lower levels of the silica-based anticaking agent result in a better flow than greater amounts of magnesium carbonate-based anticaking agent. Also, the turbidity of a sodium borohydride solution in sodium hydroxide is almost eliminated. Example 2 COMPARISON OF PRODUCTION RATES VIA THE BOLLER PRESS METHOD OF SODIUM BOROHYDRIDE CONTAINING 0.5% ANTICAKING AGENT Equipment: Commercial Roller Press Compactor Example 3 Compositions were prepared containing 99.5% by weight SBH and 0.5% by weight anticaking agent. Flowability was tested initially and weekly. The results are as shown below. Sample Size : Approximately 50 g stored in constant temperature and humidity room (20°C/64% relative humidity). T-Tapping required (initially and 2-3 times during test) for complete flow. Example 4 Compositions were formulated containing 99.5% by weight SBH and 0.5% by weight anticaking agent. Aqueous solutions (preadjusted to pH 12 with sodium hydroxide) of 0.1% SBH and 1.0% SBH were prepared, and turbidity was measured. The results are as follows: Some preliminary results indicate that sodium borohydride with silica-based anticaking agent also produces good turbidity results in a number of organic solvents, such as 1-hexanol; as good or even better than using magnesium carbonate-based anticaking agent.

Claims: A Composition comprising sodium borohydride and a silica-based anticaking agent in an amount of 0.05 to 2 weight percent relative to the sodium borohydride. A Composition according to claim 1 wherein said silica is a fumed silica. A Composition according to claim 1 wherein said silica is a precipitated silica. A composition according to any preceding claim wherein said anticaking agent is used in an amount of 0.1 to 1 weight percent relative to the sodium borohydride. A composition according to any preceding claim wherein said sodium borohydride has particle sizes from 30 to 100 µm. A Composition according to any preceding claim wherein said silica-based anticaking agent has particle sizes from 1 to 20 nm. A composition according to any preceding claim wherein said anticaking agent comprises at least 90 percent by weight silica the balance being a Coating of hydrophobic material. A composition according to claim 7 wherein said hydrophobic material is selected from silane, silicon oil, hydrocarbon oil, chlorinated hydrocarbon oil and mixtures thereof. A Composition according to any preceding claim which is compacted. A method of producing compacted sodium borohydride by admixing powdered sodium borohydride with powdered anticaking agent and compacting said mixture under pressure, characterised in that said anticaking agent comprises at least 90 % by weight of silica. A method according to claim 10 wherein said silica is coated with a hydrophobic coating. A method according to claim 10 or claim 11 wherein said mixture is compacted between patterned rollers. A method according to claim 10 or claim 11 wherein said mixture is compacted in dies.

Inventors: PATTON RICHARD A, RICHARDSON WALTER A, PATTON, RICHARD A., RICHARDSON, WALTER A.
Applicants: MORTON INT INC, MORTON INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Application year: 1991
Main classification: C01B6
IPC codes: B01J2, C01B6