Almond Hull-Shell Absorbent Meal Without Costly Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The almond fruit processing remnants, primarily almond hulls and shells, are underutilized beyond their use as a livestock feed additive, particularly when the fiber content exceeds 15%, and existing uses require costly separation and grinding processes, limiting their economic and sustainable application.
Innovation Solution
The almond hulls and shells are ground into a homogenous absorbent meal without separating the hull from the shell, optionally with a spontaneous combustion inhibitor, creating a product suitable for industrial and consumer applications, including spill cleanup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If almond hulls and shells are separated and ground to be used as livestock feed additive, then the fiber content can be reduced below 15%, but the process becomes more expensive and resource intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines hulls and shells into a single absorbent product without separation, merging two processing steps (separation and grinding) into one grinding operation. This maintains the absorptive properties while reducing processing complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The absorbent meal serves multiple functions: it acts as a livestock feed additive when fiber content is below 15%, and simultaneously serves as an absorbent material for spill cleanup. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate processing streams.
2Reliability
If shell and hull are separated to reduce fiber content for livestock feed, then the product qualifies as feed additive, but the separation process increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the separation step by directly grinding hulls and shells together into absorbent meal. This reduces device complexity by removing the need for separation machinery while still producing a usable product.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the application parameter from livestock feed (requiring <15% fiber) to absorbent material application, where the exact fiber content ratio is less critical. This parameter change allows direct use of unseparated hull-shell mixtures.
3Ease of manufacture
If almond remnants are used as absorbent material without separation, then processing cost is reduced, but the absorbent effectiveness may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a homogeneous absorbent meal by grinding hulls and shells together, achieving uniform particle size and consistent absorbent properties. This homogeneity ensures reliable absorbent effectiveness without requiring separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite material approach, combining hulls and shells into a single absorbent meal product. The composite structure maintains effective absorbent properties while simplifying the manufacturing process.
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 absorbent meal effectively absorbs spills, including hydrocarbons, while avoiding costly separation steps and enhancing safety by preventing spontaneous combustion, thus providing a sustainable and cost-effective solution.
Implementation Method 1
the absorbent meal effectively absorbs spills, including hydrocarbons
Implementation Method 2
almond hull and shell absorbent
Implementation Method 3
enhancing safety by preventing spontaneous combustion
Data Source
AI summary
An absorbent meal is provided which is formed of ground up almond hull and almond shell. The almond hull and almond shell can be residue of an almond fruit extraction process. A spontaneous combustion inhibitor is optionally added to the absorption meal. Particle size for the absorption meal is less than about 5 mm. In one embodiment, the absorbent meal is greater than about 15% almond shell before any spontaneous combustion inhibitor is added.