Almond Hull-Shell Absorbent Meal for Spill Cleanup and Fire Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

The byproducts of almond fruit processing, primarily almond hulls and shells, are typically used as livestock feed additives, but there is a need for more sustainable and efficient uses that do not require separation and grinding, especially for materials with higher fiber content above 15%, and there is a risk of spontaneous combustion in large quantities.

Innovation Solution

The almond hulls and shells are ground into a homogenous absorbent meal without separating the hull from the shell, and optionally mixed with a spontaneous combustion inhibitor to create a finished product suitable for industrial and consumer uses, including spill cleanup.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If almond hulls and shells are separated and ground to meet livestock feed requirements (less than 15% fiber), then the product can be used as livestock feed additive, but the process becomes more complex and resource intensive requiring separation machinery and grinding equipment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuse as livestock feed additiveVSAvoidseparation and grinding process

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the absorbent function from the livestock feed application. Instead of processing the hulls and shells to meet feed requirements through separation and grinding, the invention directly uses the mixed hull-shell material for absorbent applications, eliminating the need for complex separation and grinding equipment while opening up new use cases for the byproduct

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent demonstrates multi-functionality by showing that the mixed almond hull and shell material serves multiple purposes: it can be used as livestock feed additive when fiber content is controlled, but more importantly, it serves as an effective absorbent material for liquid spills, hole cake processing, and other industrial applications, eliminating the need for separate processing streams

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If almond hulls and shells are ground into meal to improve homogeneity and absorbency, then the absorbent effectiveness is improved, but the manufacturing process becomes more resource intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveabsorbent effectivenessVSAvoidgrinding process energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial grinding rather than complete reduction to meal size. The hulls and shells are ground to a degree that achieves sufficient homogeneity and absorbency for effective liquid absorption, but not reduced to fine meal status, thereby reducing the energy consumption of the grinding process while maintaining adequate absorbent performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Quantity of substance

If large quantities of absorbent material are stored to meet industrial demand, then the supply capability is improved, but the risk of spontaneous combustion increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidspontaneous combustion risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces moisture control as an intermediary factor to manage spontaneous combustion risk. By controlling the moisture content of the absorbent material during storage and handling, the invention creates a protective barrier that prevents the conditions necessary for spontaneous combustion, allowing safe storage of large quantities without direct contact between the material and combustion triggers

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 absorbent meal effectively absorbs spills and prevents spontaneous combustion, providing a cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution for liquid absorption and reducing the risk of fires, suitable for large-scale industrial applications.

Implementation Method 1

the absorbent meal effectively absorbs spills

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

absorbent media for use in absorbing spilled liquids

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentUS12370525B1Almond hull and/or shell absorbent and method of use

Publication Date: 2025.07.29 CHARTER HALBERT W

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.