Agglomerated Stover Liquid Absorbent via Crosslinked Binder Web

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional clay granules are inefficient and costly for absorbing hazardous liquids, requiring significant changes in spill management and posing environmental concerns, with previous alternatives failing to provide effective solutions.

Innovation Solution

The method involves agglomerating stover particles using a two-part binding system, where stover particles are coated with a first binder component and rolled on an inclined rotating disc, with a second binder component chemically crosslinking to form a web that traps and rolls the particles into agglomerated forms suitable for liquid absorption, utilizing a disc with tiered sections and a boric acid/polyvinyl alcohol or bentonite/guar gum binding system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If clay granules are used to absorb hazardous liquids, then absorption function is provided, but cost and environmental harm increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveabsorption functionVSAvoidenvironmental harm and cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive clay granules with inexpensive agricultural stover particles that can be sourced locally and disposed of economically after use, maintaining absorption functionality while dramatically reducing material cost and environmental impact

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms stover particles through controlled agglomeration processes that modify their physical parameters (size, shape, porosity) to achieve optimal liquid absorption characteristics, converting agricultural waste into effective absorbent material

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If stover particles are agglomerated using binder components, then particle strength and durability improve, but dust generation may increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegreen strengthVSAvoiddust

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies binder components locally to specific regions of stover particles during the agglomeration process, creating strong bonds at particle contact points while maintaining porosity and minimizing dust generation in other regions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates composite agglomerates combining stover particles with binder components (such as polyvinyl alcohol and boric acid) to achieve enhanced mechanical strength and reduced dust while maintaining absorption capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If a two-part binding system with chemical crosslinking is used, then agglomerate durability and sorbency improve, but process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveagglomerate durabilityVSAvoidprocess complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the first binder component to stover particles before agglomeration, allowing preliminary coating and positioning, then introduces the second binder component that chemically crosslinks to finalize the binding structure, breaking the complex process into manageable sequential steps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a two-part binding system where the first binder component serves as an intermediary that coats particles and prepares them for binding, while the second binder component acts as a crosslinking agent that finalizes the bond, dividing the complex chemical binding process into two simpler sequential actions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The resulting agglomerated stover particles exhibit high oil sorbency, reduced dust, and improved green strength, effectively absorbing liquid hydrocarbons and other liquids through capillary action, outperforming conventional clay-based absorbents in terms of sorbency and durability.

Implementation Method 1

A second liquid binder component that readily chemically crosslinks with the first binder component is applied to the first binder component to produce a web that the stover particles adhere to

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical crosslinking: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

effectively absorbing liquid hydrocarbons and other liquids through capillary action

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentUS8465683B2Agglomerated stover for use as a liquid absorbent

Publication Date: 2013.06.18 CLEAN PLUS INC

AI summary

This disclosure describes a method and apparatus for agglomerating stover to produce a liquid absorbing particle. The method comprises providing stover particles coated with a first binder component and then rolling the stover particles coated with the first binder component on a rotating surface. The rotating surface is inclined sufficiently to aid in the rolling of the stover particles. A second liquid binder component that readily chemically crosslinks with the first binder component is applied to the first binder component to produce a web that the stover particles adhere to. The web in combination with the inclined rotating surface rolls the stover particles thereby forming an agglomerated stover particle that will be suitable for absorbing liquids. Agglomerated stover particles are also described.