Bast-fiber material processing method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for processing bast-fibre materials are inefficient, environmentally harmful, and damage valuable pectin and lignin substances, requiring expensive equipment and lengthy processing times, while also leading to low-quality cottonized fibres due to mechanical scutching and breakdown of fibres.
Innovation Solution
The method employs high-voltage pulse electric discharges in a liquid medium for biochemical processing, followed by minimal mechanical processing, to break down incrusting substances and retain the strength and structure of cellulose fibres, optimizing fibre separation and spinning properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If expensive equipment with high metal content is used, then processing capability is achieved, but production costs increase and environmental harm increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs simple, inexpensive electrodes (such as metal plates or rods) that can be easily replaced rather than using expensive, complex equipment. The electrodes are consumed or degraded during the process but can be replaced at low cost, eliminating the need for expensive metal-containing machinery while maintaining processing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical and chemical processing equipment with a simple high-voltage power supply system and basic electrode structure. This substitution dramatically reduces equipment costs and eliminates the need for expensive metal components while achieving effective fibre processing.
2Loss of substance
If chemical methods are used, then incrustation products are removed, but a large quantity of chemicals is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes chemical reagents with high-voltage pulse electric discharge as the active processing agent. The HVEP generates reactive species, shock waves, and micro-jets that physically and physically-chemically separate incrustation products without requiring large quantities of chemical substances. Only a liquid medium (such as water or weak electrolyte solution) is needed, dramatically reducing chemical consumption.
3Productivity
If mechanical scutching is used to separate fibres, then fibre separation is achieved, but fibre strength and structure are damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical scutching with high-voltage pulse electric discharge for fibre separation. The HVEP creates cavitation bubbles that implode near the fibre bundles, generating shock waves and micro-jets that gently separate fibres without direct mechanical contact. This preserves fibre strength and structural integrity while achieving effective separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses periodic high-voltage pulse discharges to separate fibres. The pulsed nature of the discharge creates repeated cavitation cycles that progressively separate fibre bundles through gentle mechanical action from bubble implosion, avoiding the continuous harsh mechanical force of traditional scutching that damages fibres.
4Manufacturing precision
If lengthy processing is used to obtain required quality, then fibre quality is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses high-frequency pulsed electric discharge to accelerate the processing. The periodic application of high-voltage pulses creates repeated cavitation events that rapidly break down incrustation products and separate fibres. By optimizing pulse frequency, duration, and voltage, the process achieves required fibre quality in significantly reduced time compared to conventional lengthy chemical or mechanical processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the energy input parameters by applying high-voltage pulse discharge, which creates extreme local conditions (high temperature, high pressure, strong electric fields) that dramatically accelerate the decomposition and separation processes. This parameter change reduces processing time from hours or days to minutes or seconds while maintaining or improving fibre quality.
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
This approach improves the quality and physical/mechanical properties of cottonized fibres, reducing environmental impact and production costs by effectively removing incrusting substances and preserving fibre length and structure, enabling efficient production on existing equipment.
Implementation Method 1
The method employs high-voltage pulse electric discharges in a liquid medium for biochemical processing
Implementation Method 2
high-voltage pulse electric discharges with preliminary biochemical and concluding minimal mechanical processing
Implementation Method 3
high-voltage pulse electric discharges in a liquid medium for biochemical processing
Implementation Method 4
There are biological enzymatic treatment methods, both on their own and combined with mechanical/chemical methods of processing bast-fibre materials
Implementation Method 5
high-voltage pulse electric discharges in a liquid medium for biochemical processing
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to the textile industry, and specifically to methods for processing bast-fiber materials, for instance the fiber of flax, hemp, jute, nettle, kenaf, and others. The technical result which the present invention aims to achieve consists in: enhancing the quality of a cottonized fiber, when processing bast-fiber materials, by means of high-voltage electric pulse discharges following preliminary biochemical and final minimal mechanical processing; and in enhancing the physical/mechanical and spinning properties thereof, which, overall, allows for an optimized, efficient production process. Said technical result is achieved in that a bast-fiber material processing method includes a technological sequence of processes involving feeding raw material into a bale breaker, which is provided with a decompactor, and into a dosing system, processing using high-voltage electric pulse discharges, rinsing with emulsifying reagents, washing and press-drying in a drum-type installation, decompacting, final drying and light decompacting; the raw material is biochemically treated prior to being fed into high-voltage electric pulse discharge chambers.