A method for preparing an ultra-light cigarette
By preparing tobacco stem char aerogel and mixing it with tobacco shreds, the problems of high cigarette density and low dissolved oxygen content were solved, resulting in improved combustibility and reduced harmful substances, thus forming an ultra-light cigarette.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- CHINA TOBACCO HENAN IND CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2023-06-16
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-14
AI Technical Summary
Existing cigarettes have high cigarette density, low dissolved oxygen content, and poor combustibility, making it difficult to further improve the utilization rate of tobacco stem resources and reduce the generation of harmful substances through traditional methods.
Using tobacco stem char aerogel as a filler, an ultralight porous material is prepared through crushing, degradation, gelation, freeze drying and carbonization processes. This material is then mixed with tobacco shreds to prepare ultralight cigarettes, improving airflow and combustibility.
It effectively reduces cigarette weight, enhances combustibility, reduces the production of tar, carbon monoxide, and benzo[a]pyrene, and improves dissolved oxygen content and air circulation in cigarettes.
Smart Images
Figure CN116687046B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of cigarette development technology, and in particular to a method for preparing ultralight cigarettes. Background Technology
[0002] Cigarettes are sensory products that produce an aerosol rich in aroma components and nicotine from the combustion of tobacco and tobacco products, intended for consumer inhalation. Their combustion properties determine that different combustion states have a crucial impact on sensory quality. The core of the combustion state lies in the contact and mixing effect between the combustible materials (such as tobacco and other additives) in the cigarette and the air. High dissolved oxygen levels and smooth airflow in the cigarette result in complete combustion, producing less tar, carbon monoxide, and benzo[a]pyrene (carcinogens), thus reducing harm. Conversely, incomplete combustion produces more harmful substances, increasing harm. With the industry's increasing emphasis on the health benefits of tobacco, various methods for "reducing tar and harm" have been applied, such as using expanded tobacco and expanded stems to increase filling capacity, reduce cigarette density, and increase dissolved oxygen levels; laser perforation to increase air permeability; using high-permeability cigarette paper; and adding combustion aids to improve combustion efficiency. However, each method has its limitations and has reached the theoretical limit for improving combustibility to achieve "reduced tar and harm." Therefore, cigarettes must be redesigned from a structural and material perspective to further address the issues of dissolved oxygen and airflow in cigarettes.
[0003] As is well known, tobacco stems are an important component of tobacco leaves, accounting for approximately 25%-30% of the leaf weight, but their utilization rate is only about 10%. Due to their dense woody fiber structure and low aroma content, they are difficult to use in large quantities in cigarettes, and their combustion easily produces harmful substances such as tar, carbon monoxide, and benzo[a]pyrene, as well as unpleasant flavors such as woody, off-flavors, and smoky notes. They are generally only used in low-grade cigarettes. Since tobacco stems are abundant and inexpensive, if they were processed into ultra-lightweight, porous materials, it would be possible to further solve the problems of dissolved oxygen and airflow in cigarettes.
[0004] From the perspective of cigarette formulation materials, cigarette formulations generally contain shredded tobacco, expanded tobacco, stems, reconstituted tobacco, and flavorings. Shredded tobacco, expanded tobacco, and reconstituted tobacco, primarily composed of tobacco leaves, form the material basis for cigarette combustion and sensory experience, and are difficult to alter significantly. The addition of stems is often for cost reduction and improving the utilization rate of tobacco stem resources; in lower-grade cigarettes, it can reduce tar to some extent. Since tobacco stems are a carbon-rich material, high-temperature carbonization can produce porous carbon materials for harm reduction and tar reduction. However, traditional processing methods still have significant limitations in achieving the desired density of tobacco stems, mainly manifested in insufficiently porous structure and small, dense pores; simultaneously, the texture is brittle, making it difficult to mold and add into cigarettes. Carbon aerogel is a novel carbon material; due to its ultra-lightweight, porous, highly absorbent, and simple preparation process, it holds promise for widespread application in cigarettes.
[0005] Therefore, from the perspective of cigarette formulation and materials, how to make breakthroughs in tobacco stem materials to reduce cigarette density, improve dissolved oxygen and air circulation, and further enhance the comprehensive utilization of tobacco stem resources has become an important issue in current cigarette technology research. Summary of the Invention
[0006] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a method for preparing ultralight cigarettes, which solves the problems of high cigarette density, low dissolved oxygen content and poor combustibility in the prior art.
[0007] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is achieved through the following technical solution:
[0008] A method for preparing an ultralight cigarette includes the following steps:
[0009] S1. Cut the tobacco stem charcoal aerogel into thin slices with a thickness of 0.1-0.2 mm;
[0010] S2. Cut the above-mentioned tobacco stem charcoal aerogel sheets into filaments with a width of 0.8-1.0 mm using a filament cutter;
[0011] S3. Mix the above-mentioned filamentous material with tobacco shreds at a ratio of 10%-20%, and roll it into cigarettes using a cigarette rolling machine.
[0012] Preferably, the tobacco char aerogel in step S1 is prepared by the following method:
[0013] (1) Crush the dried tobacco stems into tobacco stem powder of 80-200 mesh;
[0014] (2) Dissolve the insoluble matter thoroughly in a 1:20 KOH aqueous solution, stir the reaction thoroughly, filter to remove the insoluble matter, and obtain the reaction filtrate;
[0015] (3) Add gelling agent to the above reaction filtrate, heat and mix thoroughly, and then freeze dry;
[0016] (4) The above dried material is carbonized at high temperature under nitrogen atmosphere to obtain tobacco stem carbon aerogel.
[0017] Preferably, the stirring in step (2) is atmospheric pressure heating stirring or pressure heating stirring. The atmospheric pressure heating stirring time is 30h; the pressure heating stirring is at 2-5 atmospheres and the reaction time is 12h.
[0018] Preferably, the concentration of the KOH aqueous solution in step (2) is 0.5%-2.0%.
[0019] Preferably, the gelling agent in step (3) is one or more of gum arabic, pectin, carrageenan, sodium alginate, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, wood pulp fiber, and modified dextrin, and the addition ratio is 5-10 times that of tobacco stem powder.
[0020] Preferably, the carbonization temperature in step (4) is 380-550℃.
[0021] Preferably, in step S3, the filamentous material is added to the tobacco shreds either separately or by loading it onto a tobacco additive.
[0022] Preferably, the tobacco additive is a tobacco flavoring, humectant, or smoke-generating agent.
[0023] Application of an ultralight cigarette in cigarette sticks.
[0024] Application of an ultralight cigarette in heated cigarettes, electronic cigarettes and related tobacco products.
[0025] The above-described technical solution of the present invention has the following beneficial effects:
[0026] (1) Using endogenous tobacco stem waste as raw material, the prepared tobacco stem carbon aerogel is used as a filler, which effectively reduces the weight of the cigarette, improves the combustibility of the cigarette, the dissolved oxygen content of the cigarette and the air circulation.
[0027] (2) A breakthrough was made in the preparation process of carbon aerogel using tobacco stems as raw materials, which effectively improved the filling properties of tobacco stem carbon materials, greatly reduced the density of tobacco stems, and increased the pore size and specific surface area of tobacco stems. Attached Figure Description
[0028] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with their description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
[0029] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the ultralight cigarette structure of the present invention.
[0030] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of tobacco stem char aerogel. Detailed Implementation
[0031] Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specifically stated, the relative arrangement, numerical expressions, and values of the components and steps set forth in these embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention.
[0032] This application describes a method that combines traditional tobacco shreds with tobacco stem char aerogel to form an ultralight cigarette. The tobacco stem char aerogel is prepared using waste tobacco stems as raw material. Through processes such as crushing, degradation, gelation, freeze-drying, carbonization, and shredding, dense tobacco stems are transformed into a loose, porous, ultralight, and odorless char aerogel cigarette filling material. Its application in cigarettes effectively enhances the filling value of the tobacco stem material, reduces cigarette weight, increases oxygen content and air permeability, resulting in cigarettes with a loose structure, ultralight weight, and odorless characteristics. It also enhances combustibility and reduces the production of harmful substances, thus possessing broad application value. The following detailed examples illustrate this:
[0033] Example 1
[0034] A method for preparing an ultralight cigarette includes the following steps:
[0035] S1. Use a slicer to cut the above-mentioned tobacco stem char aerogel into thin slices with a thickness of 0.2 mm;
[0036] S2. Cut the above-mentioned tobacco stem charcoal aerogel sheets into filaments with a width of 1.0 mm using a filament cutter;
[0037] S3. Mix the above-mentioned filamentous material with tobacco shreds at a ratio of 10%, and roll it into cigarettes using a cigarette rolling machine.
[0038] The specific steps for preparing the tobacco char aerogel in step S1 include:
[0039] (1) The dried tobacco stems after leaf re-drying are crushed by a mechanical crusher and sieved to obtain tobacco stem powder with a mesh size of 200.
[0040] (2) Take 500g of the above powder and add 10kg of 0.5% KOH aqueous solution while stirring thoroughly; then heat the mixture to 100℃ while stirring vigorously, and react at normal pressure and constant temperature for 30h. After that, filter to remove insoluble matter and obtain reaction filtrate.
[0041] (3) Add 2.5 kg of carrageenan to the above reaction solution, heat and mix thoroughly to obtain tobacco stem hydrogel, and then freeze dry at -20℃;
[0042] (4) The above dried material was carbonized at 380°C for 12 hours under a nitrogen atmosphere to obtain tobacco stem carbon aerogel.
[0043] Analysis revealed that, compared to blank cigarettes (conventional whole-tobacco cigarettes), the cigarettes in Example 1 had a 7.3% reduction in the weight of the combustion section, a 19.1% reduction in tar, a 12.5% reduction in carbon monoxide, and a 31.7% reduction in benzo[a]pyrene.
[0044] Example 2
[0045] A method for preparing an ultralight cigarette includes the following steps:
[0046] S1. Use a slicer to cut the above-mentioned tobacco stem char aerogel into thin slices with a thickness of 0.2 mm;
[0047] S2. Cut the above-mentioned tobacco stem charcoal aerogel sheets into filaments with a width of 1.0 mm using a filament cutter;
[0048] S3. Mix the above-mentioned filamentous material with tobacco shreds at a ratio of 15%, and roll it into cigarettes using a cigarette rolling machine.
[0049] The specific steps for preparing the tobacco char aerogel in step S1 include:
[0050] (1) The dried tobacco stems after leaf re-drying are crushed by a mechanical crusher and sieved to obtain tobacco stem powder with a mesh size of 200.
[0051] (2) Take 500g of the above powder and add 10kg of 1.0% KOH aqueous solution under thorough stirring; then heat the mixture to 100℃ under vigorous stirring, and react at normal pressure and constant temperature for 30h. After that, filter to remove insoluble matter and obtain reaction filtrate.
[0052] (3) Add 3.0 kg of sodium alginate to the above reaction solution, heat and mix thoroughly to obtain tobacco stem hydrogel, and then freeze dry at -20℃;
[0053] (4) The above dried material was carbonized at 450°C for 12 hours under a nitrogen atmosphere to obtain tobacco stem carbon aerogel.
[0054] Analysis revealed that, compared to blank cigarettes (conventional whole-tobacco cigarettes), the cigarettes in Example 2 had a 12.7% reduction in the weight of the combustion section, a 23.6% reduction in tar, a 15.3% reduction in carbon monoxide, and a 24.8% reduction in benzo[a]pyrene.
[0055] Example 3
[0056] A method for preparing an ultralight cigarette includes the following steps:
[0057] S1. Use a slicer to cut the tobacco stem char aerogel into thin slices with a thickness of 0.2 mm;
[0058] S2. Cut the above-mentioned tobacco stem charcoal aerogel sheets into filaments with a width of 1.0 mm using a filament cutter;
[0059] S3. Mix the above-mentioned filamentous material with tobacco shreds at a ratio of 20%, and roll it into cigarettes using a cigarette rolling machine.
[0060] The specific steps for preparing the tobacco char aerogel in step S1 include:
[0061] (1) The dried tobacco stems after leaf re-drying are crushed by a mechanical crusher and sieved to obtain tobacco stem powder with a mesh size of 200.
[0062] (2) Take 500g of the above powder and add 10kg of 1.0% KOH aqueous solution under thorough stirring; then heat the mixture to 100℃ under vigorous stirring, and react at normal pressure and constant temperature for 30h. After that, filter to remove insoluble matter and obtain reaction filtrate.
[0063] (3) Add 5.0 kg of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose to the above reaction solution, heat and mix thoroughly to obtain tobacco stem hydrogel, and then freeze dry at -20℃;
[0064] (4) The above dried material was carbonized at 550°C for 12 hours under a nitrogen atmosphere to obtain tobacco stem carbon aerogel.
[0065] Analysis revealed that, compared to blank cigarettes (conventional whole-tobacco cigarettes), the cigarettes in Example 3 had a 15.9% reduction in the weight of the combustion section, a 27.4% reduction in tar, an 18.2% reduction in carbon monoxide, and a 27.9% reduction in benzo[a]pyrene.
[0066] The preparation method of this application involves combining traditional tobacco shreds with tobacco stem char aerogel to form an ultralight cigarette. The tobacco stem char aerogel is prepared using waste tobacco stems as raw material. Through processes such as crushing, degradation, gelation, freeze-drying, carbonization, and shredding, the dense tobacco stems are transformed into a loose, porous, ultralight, and odorless char aerogel cigarette filling material. Its application in cigarettes effectively enhances the filling value of the tobacco stem material, reduces cigarette weight, and increases the oxygen content and air permeability of the cigarette. The resulting cigarette possesses characteristics such as a loose structure, ultralight weight, and odorlessness, while also exhibiting beneficial effects such as enhanced combustibility and reduced production of harmful substances, thus possessing broad application value.
[0067] Although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art can make various different choices and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the claims and their equivalents.
Claims
1. A method for preparing an ultralight cigarette, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: S1. Crush dried tobacco stems into 80-200 mesh tobacco stem powder; dissolve the tobacco stem powder in KOH aqueous solution, wherein the mass ratio of tobacco stem powder to KOH aqueous solution is 1:
20. After stirring the reaction thoroughly, filter to remove insoluble matter and obtain reaction filtrate; add gelling agent to the above reaction filtrate, heat and mix thoroughly, and then freeze dry; carbonize the above dried material at high temperature under nitrogen atmosphere to obtain tobacco stem carbon aerogel; cut the tobacco stem carbon aerogel into thin slices with a thickness of 0.1-0.2 mm; The stirring reaction is carried out under normal pressure or under pressure. Under normal pressure, the stirring time is 30 h; under pressure, the stirring time is 12 h at 2-5 atmospheres; the concentration of KOH aqueous solution is 0.5%-2.0%; the gelling agent is one or more of gum arabic, pectin, carrageenan, sodium alginate, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, wood pulp fiber, and modified dextrin, and the amount of gelling agent added is 5-10 times that of tobacco stem powder; the carbonization temperature is 380-550℃. S2. Cut the above-mentioned tobacco stem charcoal aerogel sheets into filaments with a width of 0.8-1.0 mm using a filament cutter; S3. Mix the above-mentioned filamentous material with tobacco shreds at a ratio of 10%-20%, and roll it into cigarettes using a cigarette rolling machine.
2. The method for preparing ultralight cigarettes according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step S3, the filamentous material is added to the tobacco shreds either separately or by loading it onto tobacco additives.
3. The method for preparing ultralight cigarettes according to claim 2, characterized in that, Tobacco additives are flavorings, humectants, or smoke-generating agents for tobacco.
4. The application of the ultralight cigarette prepared by any one of the preparation methods according to claims 1-3 in cigarette sticks.
5. The application of the ultralight cigarette prepared by any one of the preparation methods according to claims 1-3 in heated cigarettes, electronic cigarettes and related tobacco products.