A method for judging the burning appearance quality of cigarettes
By preparing cigarette ash samples from flour and measuring the macroscopic viscosity factor using an optical microrheometer, the problem that traditional methods cannot measure cigarette ash viscosity is solved, and accurate evaluation of cigarette burning appearance quality is achieved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202211231851.8
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2022-09-30
- Publication Date
- 2025-09-12
- Estimated Expiration
- 2042-09-30
AI Technical Summary
Traditional methods cannot effectively measure the viscosity of cigarette ash, making it difficult to evaluate the appearance quality of cigarette combustion.
Cigarette ash test samples were prepared from flour. The macroscopic viscosity factor was measured by optical microrheology. Combined with nonlinear curve fitting, the burning appearance quality of cigarettes was evaluated.
It provides an accurate and reliable method for evaluating the burning appearance quality of cigarettes, improves the repeatability and accuracy of the measurement results, and can effectively evaluate the viscosity of cigarette ash.
Smart Images
Figure CN115615872B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of quality evaluation, and more specifically, to a method for determining the burning appearance quality of a cigarette. Background Art
[0002] The appearance of cigarette combustion is a key metric for consumers to assess cigarette quality and distinguish between different grades. Cigarettes with poor combustion appearance tend to have cracking and falling ash during smoking, causing ash to splash and pollute the environment. Excessively wide and dark carbonization circles also directly affect consumer perception of cigarette quality. Cigarettes that burn evenly, with ash that neither explodes nor scatters, and a whiter gray color, are often recognized and preferred by smokers. Improving cigarette combustion appearance and increasing consumer satisfaction are crucial for establishing a competitive advantage over Category I and Category II cigarettes.
[0003] Cigarette ash viscosity refers to the degree of adhesion between small ash particles. As the product of cigarette combustion, the adhesion of small ash particles in the ash column will inevitably profoundly affect the appearance of the cigarette smoke column after combustion. Traditional mechanical viscosity testing devices measure viscosity by the force exerted by the rotating rotor. This method requires a large amount of ash sample and is unable to measure particularly fragile materials such as ash. Therefore, there is an urgent need to find an effective method for measuring cigarette ash viscosity to evaluate the appearance quality of cigarette combustion. Summary of the Invention
[0004] The present application provides a method for determining the burning appearance quality of cigarettes. Cigarette ash is prepared into a test sample with soft material properties suitable for optical microrheology with the help of flour, which facilitates the measurement of ash viscosity and provides a reliable data basis for the evaluation of the burning appearance quality of cigarettes.
[0005] The present application provides a method for determining the burning appearance quality of a cigarette, comprising:
[0006] Preparation of multiple test samples of cigarette ash using flour;
[0007] Multiple test samples were measured separately to obtain the macro viscosity factor;
[0008] The macro-viscosity factor is used to evaluate the burning appearance quality of cigarettes: the larger the macro-viscosity factor, the worse the burning appearance quality of cigarettes.
[0009] Preferably, preparing multiple test samples of cigarette ash using flour specifically includes:
[0010] Weigh cigarette ash, flour, and distilled water in proportion and place in a beaker;
[0011] placing the beaker in a water bath at a first preset temperature and heating for a first preset time while stirring with an electric stirrer at a preset speed;
[0012] Place the beaker at room temperature and stir with an electric stirrer for a second preset time;
[0013] The obtained sample is quickly divided into a preset number of portions and placed into sample measurement bottles to form multiple test samples.
[0014] Preferably, the test sample is measured to obtain a macro viscosity factor, specifically including:
[0015] Placing multiple test samples simultaneously into the optical microrheometer, measuring them in a "full feature" mode at a second preset temperature for a third preset time, and obtaining multiple initial macroscopic viscosity factors;
[0016] Perform nonlinear curve fitting on multiple initial macroscopic viscosity factors to obtain a nonlinear curve;
[0017] A value corresponding to the third preset time on the nonlinear curve is obtained as a macroscopic viscosity factor.
[0018] Preferably, the initial macroscopic viscosity factor is smoothed before the nonlinear curve fitting.
[0019] Preferably, the nonlinear curve fitting is performed using a Logistic function.
[0020] Preferably, it also includes:
[0021] The ash wrapping performance of cigarettes was evaluated by combining the macroscopic viscosity factors of cigarette ash of different brands and the appearance images of cigarette ash columns.
[0022] Preferably, the first preset temperature is 90° C., the first preset time is 30 minutes, and the preset rotation speed is 1200 rpm.
[0023] Preferably, the preset time is 5 minutes.
[0024] Preferably, the second preset temperature is 60° C., and the third preset time is 2.5 hours.
[0025] Other features and advantages of the present application will become apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the present application with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the application and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the application.
[0027] Figure 1 A flow chart of the method for determining the burning appearance quality of cigarettes provided in this application;
[0028] Figure 2A comparison chart of the MVI of a test sample of a certain brand of cigarette ash, cigarette ash without flour added, and pure flour provided in this application.
[0029] Figure 3 A comparison chart of the MVI of cigarette ash of various brands provided in this application;
[0030] Figure 4 For Figure 3 Comparison of the appearance images of ash columns of corresponding cigarette ash brands. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0031] Various exemplary embodiments of the present application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that unless otherwise specifically stated, the relative arrangements of components and steps, numerical expressions and numerical values set forth in these embodiments do not limit the scope of the present application.
[0032] The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is merely illustrative in nature and is in no way intended to limit the present disclosure, its application, or uses.
[0033] Technologies, methods, and equipment known to ordinary technicians in the relevant art may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, the technologies, methods, and equipment should be considered part of the specification.
[0034] In all examples shown and discussed herein, any specific values should be interpreted as merely exemplary and not limiting. Therefore, other examples of the exemplary embodiments may have different values.
[0035] The present application provides a method for determining the appearance quality of cigarette combustion. Cigarette ash is prepared into a test sample with soft material properties suitable for optical microrheology with the help of flour, which facilitates the measurement of ash viscosity and provides a reliable data basis for determining the appearance quality of cigarette combustion.
[0036] Example 1
[0037] like Figure 1 As shown, the method for determining the burning appearance quality of cigarettes provided in this application includes:
[0038] S110: preparing a plurality of test samples of cigarette ash using flour.
[0039] Specifically, multiple test samples of cigarette ash were prepared using flour, including:
[0040] S1101: Weigh cigarette ash, flour, and distilled water in proportion and place in a beaker.
[0041] S1102: placing the beaker in a water bath at a first preset temperature and heating for a first preset time, while stirring with an electric stirrer at a preset speed.
[0042] S1103: Place the beaker at room temperature and stir it with an electric stirrer for a second preset time.
[0043] S1104: Quickly divide the obtained sample into a preset number of portions and place them into sample measurement bottles to form multiple test samples.
[0044] As an example, weigh 1g of cigarette ash, 12g of flour, and 120mL of distilled water and place them in a 250mL beaker. Stir a few times with a glass rod to prevent the flour and cigarette ash from clumping. Then place the beaker in a 90℃ water bath and heat for 30min while stirring with an electric stirrer at 1200rpm. Subsequently, place the beaker in a room temperature environment and stir with an electric stirrer for 5min. Then quickly divide the sample into three parts and transfer them to three 20ml sample bottles (try to avoid the generation of small bubbles during the transfer process). This forms three test samples.
[0045] S120: Measure multiple test samples respectively to obtain macro viscosity factors.
[0046] Specifically, the test sample is measured to obtain the macro viscosity factor, including:
[0047] S1201: Multiple test samples are placed simultaneously in an optical microrheometer and measured in a "full characterization" mode at a second preset temperature (e.g., 60° C.) for a third preset time (e.g., 2.5 hours) to obtain multiple initial macroscopic viscosity factors.
[0048] In the above example, three sample test bottles were placed simultaneously in the optical microrheometer, the measurement mode was selected as Full Characterization, the measurement temperature was selected as 60°C, and the measurement time was set to 2.5 hours. After the measurement, the MVI data (macroviscosity factor) was selected to obtain the three initial macroviscosity factors.
[0049] Preferably, after obtaining the initial macroscopic viscosity factor, it is smoothed before executing S1202.
[0050] Optical microrheology analyzes the microscopic motion of a dispersed phase (particles, droplets, etc.) by measuring fluctuations in backscattered light generated during testing. Because the dispersed phase and the continuous phase have different refractive indices, laser light of a given wavelength scatters within the sample. The backscattered light is captured by the instrument and displayed as a speckle pattern. The rate of fluctuation in the intensity of the speckle pattern corresponds to the velocity of the dispersed phase. By analyzing the changes in the speckle pattern, the motion of the dispersed phase can be analyzed. Optical microrheology operates without mechanical shear forces, making it suitable for measuring particularly fragile samples such as weak gels, yogurt, and cream. By tracking the displacement of particles due to thermal energy (Brownian motion), the inherent viscosity of the sample, or the macroscopic viscosity index (MVI), can be determined. Optical microrheology analyzes the viscosity of a sample at the micrometer scale, providing a more accurate and accurate representation of the inherent viscosity. It also offers excellent reproducibility, with similar results between samples and minimal variation.
[0051] According to the measurement requirements of the optical microrheometer, the sample needs to be a soft substance, and pure cigarette ash or ash solution does not meet the requirements. Therefore, the present application adds flour to the cigarette ash to make the mixed solution into a gel.
[0052] S1202: Perform nonlinear curve fitting on multiple initial macroscopic viscosity factors to obtain a nonlinear curve.
[0053] S1203: Obtaining a value corresponding to a third preset time on the nonlinear curve as a macro viscosity factor for characterizing cigarette ash viscosity.
[0054] As an embodiment, a Logistic function is used to perform nonlinear curve fitting.
[0055] Specifically, you can copy the three sets of data into the Origin software, perform "non-linear curve fitting", and select the Logistic function in the Origin Basic Functions category. The correlation coefficient R of the function fitted by the Logistic function is 2 >0.99, the fitting effect is good and the results are accurate.
[0056] The nonlinear curve function after fitting is as follows:
[0057]
[0058] Where y is the final macro viscosity index (MVI), in nm -2 s; X is time in min; A1 represents the maximum value of y when X approaches infinity or infinite time; A2 represents the minimum value of y when X approaches infinity or infinite time; X0 represents the value of X when y takes half of its maximum value; P represents power, which refers to the steepness of the fitting curve.
[0059] In the above example, MVI can be obtained by substituting X=150 min (2.5 hours) into the above curve function to calculate y.
[0060] S130: Using macro viscosity factor to evaluate cigarette burning appearance quality.
[0061] The larger the macro-viscosity factor, the worse the burning appearance quality of the cigarette. Conversely, the smaller the macro-viscosity factor, the better the burning appearance quality of the cigarette.
[0062] Based on the description of the quality evaluation method above, the following example provides a comparison of the MVI of a test sample of a certain brand of cigarette ash, cigarette ash without flour added, and pure flour:
[0063] 1. The determination method of cigarette ash without flour is as follows: weigh 4g of cigarette ash, add 40mL of distilled water to prepare the solution, and use the optical microrheometer to measure the results. Figure 2 .
[0064] 2. The determination method of pure flour (without adding cigarette ash) is: weigh 12g flour, add 120mL distilled water, prepare the sample according to S1102-S1104 above, and determine it according to S120. The results are shown in Figure 2 .
[0065] 3. The determination method for adding flour to cigarette ash is as follows: obtain the macro viscosity factor according to S110-S120 above.
[0066] Summarize the experimental data and calculate the average value and RSD (relative standard deviation). Figure 2 As shown in Table 1:
[0067] Table 1
[0068]
[0069] In Table 1, the RSD is less than 10%, the experimental data are stable, and the results are accurate.
[0070] from Figure 2 It can be seen that the soot particles in the pure soot solution (corresponding to 1 in Table 1) move in a disorderly manner. The backlight cannot track the soot particles, and a regular curve cannot be obtained. A large amount of measurement time can only obtain a small number of disordered points, and the curve cannot be predicted and simulated.
[0071] Figure 2The MVI curve of the medium ash + flour mixed colloid (corresponding to 2 in Table 1) shows a similar trend to that of the pure flour gel (corresponding to 2 in Table 1), but the MVI of the mixed colloid is significantly higher than that of the pure flour gel, indicating that there is a significant difference between the MVI of the ash + flour and that of flour alone. Flour not only acts as a stabilizer but also has no significant effect on the MVI of the ash. This lays a good foundation for eliminating the interference of stabilizers and comparing the MVI of ash from different cigarettes.
[0072] Figure 2 Each point of the MVI curve of the mixed colloid represents the backscattered light tracking the Brownian motion of the dispersed phase (soot particles) 1nm 2 In the process, the initial Brownian motion is free. As the gelation proceeds, the temperature of the gel drops and remains at a fixed temperature. The Brownian motion of the particles is restricted by the generated microscopic network structure and enters the relaxation platform. It takes a long enough time for the particles to escape from the network cage. Therefore, the MVI becomes larger and larger in the later stage, and the viscosity of the ash becomes larger and larger.
[0073] Figure 2 In the early stage of the flour + ash curve, the particle movement speed is fast. This is the early stage of Brownian motion. Due to the temperature, the particles are not stable enough. In the late stage of the curve, the temperature remains stable, the Brownian motion enters the plateau stage, the particle movement speed slows down, the viscosity increases, the particles are stable, and Figure 2 The curve in the middle tends to be flat and relatively stable in the later stage, which is suitable for taking the value at a fixed point at the end of the curve.
[0074] It can be seen that the method according to the present application solves the problem that pure soot cannot be measured, and the measurement results are accurate and reproducible.
[0075] Example 2
[0076] On the basis of the above, preferably, the quality evaluation method of this application also includes:
[0077] S140: Evaluate the ash wrapping performance of cigarettes based on the macroscopic viscosity factors of cigarette ash of different brands and the appearance images of cigarette ash columns.
[0078] Specifically, while measuring the macroscopic viscosity factor of each brand of cigarette ash, images of the appearance of each brand of cigarette ash column were taken to analyze the relationship between ash viscosity and cigarette ash column appearance.
[0079] The experimental results are as follows Figure 3-4 As shown in Table 2 (viscosity of ash from various brands of cigarettes):
[0080] Table 2
[0081]
[0082] Combined with Table 2, Figure 3 and Figure 4 ,It can be found that as the MVI of the ash increases, the visual ,effect of the rolled ash column generally deteriorates.
[0083] The cigarette ash column is composed of agglomerated tobacco ash and the surrounding cigarette paper ash. The cigarette paper ash acts like a coating on the surface of the tobacco ash aggregate. The coating's effectiveness directly determines the visual quality of the ash column, which in turn is influenced by the properties of both the tobacco and cigarette paper ash. During smoking, the cellulose in the cigarette paper disappears, and CaCO3 particles adhere to each other. As the gray color changes from darker to lighter, the adhesion of CaCO3 particles strengthens, ultimately forming a light-colored area of the cigarette paper ash, primarily composed of CaCO3 and bound by potassium and sodium. Within the combustion cone, tobacco cells undergo ablation and bubbling, removing a significant amount of oxygen-containing functional groups and forming char. The surface cells of the light-colored area in front of the combustion cone undergo severe ablation, generating numerous pores and forming a tobacco ash containing carbonates of calcium, potassium, and magnesium, as well as sulfates, phosphates, chlorides, silicates, and trace amounts of nonferrous metals. It can be seen that the presence of adhesive substances in tobacco ash gives it a certain degree of stickiness, and different viscosities lead to different visual effects of the ash column. For tobacco ash, viscosity affects the strength and morphology of ash aggregates, which in turn affects the adhesion of cigarette paper ash to its surface. High viscosity can cause severe shrinkage and deformation of the aggregates, affecting the uniformity of ash adhesion and easily causing cracks. For cigarette paper ash, viscosity affects the tightness of adhesion between CaCO3 particles, which in turn affects their adhesion to the surface of tobacco ash aggregates. When the viscosity is high and the ash flakes formed are large, uneven tension and other factors can cause the paper ash to break and even flip. Therefore, the larger the macro viscosity factor, the more likely the ash aggregates will shrink and deform, crack and flip, and the appearance quality of the cigarette combustion will deteriorate.
[0084] It should be noted that the present application is not only applicable to cigarette ash, but also to various wood ash powders.
[0085] Although some specific embodiments of the present application have been described in detail by way of examples, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the above examples are for illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present application. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the above embodiments may be modified without departing from the scope and spirit of the present application. The scope of the present application is defined by the appended claims.
Claims
1. A method for determining the appearance quality of cigarette burning, characterized in that: include: Preparation of multiple test samples of cigarette ash using flour, specifically comprising: weighing cigarette ash, flour, and distilled water in proportion and placing the mixture into a beaker; heating the beaker in a water bath at a first preset temperature for a first preset time while stirring the mixture with an electric stirrer at a preset speed; placing the beaker at room temperature and stirring the mixture with an electric stirrer for a second preset time; and rapidly dividing the obtained sample into a preset number of portions and placing the portions into sample measuring bottles to form the multiple test samples; Measuring the multiple test samples separately to obtain macroscopic viscosity factors specifically includes: placing the multiple test samples simultaneously into an optical microrheometer, and measuring them in a "full feature" mode at a second preset temperature for a third preset time to obtain multiple initial macroscopic viscosity factors; performing nonlinear curve fitting on the multiple initial macroscopic viscosity factors to obtain a nonlinear curve; and obtaining a value on the nonlinear curve corresponding to the third preset time as the macroscopic viscosity factor; The macro-viscosity factor is used to evaluate the burning appearance quality of the cigarette: the larger the macro-viscosity factor is, the worse the burning appearance quality of the cigarette is.
2. The method for determining the burning appearance quality of a cigarette according to claim 1, characterized in that: The initial macroscopic viscosity factor is also smoothed before nonlinear curve fitting.
3. The method for determining the burning appearance quality of a cigarette according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: Logistic function is used for nonlinear curve fitting.
4. The method for determining the burning appearance quality of a cigarette according to claim 1, wherein: Also includes: The ash packaging performance of cigarettes was evaluated by combining the macroscopic viscosity factors of cigarette ash of different brands and the appearance images of cigarette ash columns.
5. The method for determining the burning appearance quality of a cigarette according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first preset temperature is 90° C., the first preset time is 30 minutes, and the preset rotation speed is 1200 rpm.
6. The method for determining the burning appearance quality of a cigarette according to claim 5, characterized in that: The preset time is 5 minutes.
7. The method for determining the burning appearance quality of a cigarette according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second preset temperature is 60° C., and the third preset time is 2.5 hours.