Hydrogenated Castor Oil Flakes for Solidifying Used Cooking Grease
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Solution Overview
Problem
Disposal of used cooking oil or grease is messy, time-consuming, and can lead to clogging, hygiene issues, and equipment cleaning challenges.
Innovation Solution
A formulation using hydrogenated castor oil with a melting point of 7° to 80° C. and density of 0.7 to 1.0 g/L, created by heating castor oil with a catalyst, treating with a base and acid, and drying to form flakes, which is mixed with used cooking oil at elevated temperatures to solidify and facilitate disposal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If used cooking oil or grease is disposed down the sink, then disposal is convenient, but drain clogging occurs that is difficult to clean up or fix
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of used cooking oil from liquid to solid by adding a solidifying agent. This transformation allows the oil to be disposed of in a solid form that does not flow into drains, thereby preventing drain clogging while maintaining ease of disposal through simple trash disposal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transition by transforming used cooking oil from liquid phase to solid phase through the addition of a solidifying agent. This phase change enables the oil to be easily disposed of in trash without causing drain clogging, as the solidified oil no longer flows like liquid.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If used cooking oil or grease is filled in jars or tubs to throw away, then drain clogging is prevented, but the process becomes tedious and costly with mess of broken containers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the solidifying agent directly with the used cooking oil in a single container (such as the original frying pan or a disposable container), eliminating the need for separate jars or tubs. This combination allows the oil to be solidified in-place and disposed of as a single unit, saving time and avoiding the mess of handling multiple containers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs disposable containers or the original cooking vessel itself as the disposal container, eliminating the need for reusable jars or tubs. This approach reduces the time and effort required for disposal while avoiding the mess associated with cleaning and reusing containers.
3Loss of time
If used cooking oil or grease is poured directly into trash, then disposal is simple, but it attracts flies or other undesirable insects and animals that would negatively affect the hygienic condition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of used cooking oil from liquid to solid, and potentially alters its odor profile through the solidifying process. This transformation reduces the attractiveness of the oil to flies and insects while maintaining simple disposal methods. The solidified oil can be disposed of in trash without creating the same hygiene problems as liquid oil.
4Productivity
If greasy drippings collected in equipment parts are disposed, then equipment can be reused, but the process is messy and time consuming requiring cooling and cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of greasy drippings from liquid to solid by adding a solidifying agent. This allows the drippings to be easily removed and disposed of without requiring extensive cooling time or subsequent cleaning, thereby increasing equipment reuse efficiency while reducing disposal time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transition to transform greasy drippings from liquid to solid state, enabling easy removal and disposal. This phase change eliminates the need for prolonged cooling and cleaning processes, allowing faster equipment turnover and reuse.
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
Transforms used cooking oil into a gelatinous solid for easy disposal, reducing mess and hygiene risks, and simplifying the disposal process.
Implementation Method 1
heating castor oil in the presence of a catalyst until at least some of the ricinoleic acid content in the castor oil is reduced to form hydrogenated castor oil
Implementation Method 2
heating castor oil in the presence of a catalyst until at least some of the ricinoleic acid content in the castor oil is reduced
Implementation Method 3
waiting until the formulation mixture cools and solidifies prior to disposal
Implementation Method 4
the formulation mixture cools and solidifies
Data Source
AI summary
A formulation for solidifying used cooking oil or grease and methods of making and using the same is disclosed. The formulation comprises hydrogenated castor oil, sometimes having a flake morphology. In some embodiments, the formulation has a melting point of between 70 and 80° C. and a density between 0.7 and 1.0 g/L. In some embodiments, the formulation is created by heating castor oil in the presence of a catalyst until at least some of the ricinoleic acid content in the castor oil is reduced to form hydrogenated castor oil in a reaction mixture. The method of using the formulation comprises the steps of mixing the formulation and used cooking oil or grease at an elevated temperature until the formulation completely dissolves into the used cooking oil to form a formulation mixture, and waiting until the formulation mixture cools and solidifies prior to disposal.