Regenerated Cellulose Fiber Spinning via Enzymatic DP Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cotton waste textile cellulose fibers have a high degree of polymerization (DP) that limits their spinnability, requiring a method to reduce DP to under 1500 for economical and efficient spinning processes without using aggressive chemicals or complex procedures.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of an endo-cellulase enzyme (EC 3.2.1.4) combined with mechanical energy to decrease the DP of cellulose, followed by treatment with a cellulose solvent like N-methyl morpholine N-oxide (NMMO) to produce a spinning solution suitable for cellulose fiber regeneration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If cellulose from waste cotton is used directly for spinning, then the cellulose content is high, but the degree of polymerization is too high (1500-3000) causing high viscosity that limits spinnability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies enzymatic treatment with endo-cellulase to specifically reduce the degree of polymerization parameter of cellulose from 1500-3000 to below 1500. This parameter change lowers the viscosity of the spinning solution while preserving the high cellulose content, thereby improving spinnability without sacrificing material quantity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical or chemical methods for reducing cellulose molecular weight with enzymatic degradation. The endo-cellulase enzyme provides a selective biological mechanism to break down cellulose chains, offering a more controlled and efficient approach compared to conventional mechanical grinding or harsh chemical treatments
2Ease of operation
If the degree of polymerization is reduced to improve spinnability, then viscosity decreases, but reducing cellulose content to achieve this also occurs which is economically unfavorable
Solution Approach 1:
The enzymatic treatment selectively modifies the molecular weight distribution parameter of cellulose without causing significant mass loss. By controlling the degree of polymerization to be below 1500 through endo-cellulase action, the process achieves optimal viscosity for spinning while maintaining high cellulose content in the solution, avoiding the economic penalty of reducing material quantity
3Manufacturing precision
If traditional methods are used to reduce DP, then aggressive chemicals or complicated procedures are required, but this increases process complexity and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes aggressive chemical treatments with a biological enzymatic system. The endo-cellulase enzyme provides precise control over degree of polymerization reduction through biochemical catalysis, eliminating the need for complex chemical reagents and harsh processing conditions while achieving the same DP control objective
Solution Approach 2:
The enzymatic process utilizes the natural catalytic activity of endo-cellulase to autonomously degrade cellulose chains to the desired molecular weight. The enzyme self-regulates the degradation process, providing inherent control over the degree of polymerization without requiring complex external control systems or multiple processing stages
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
Effectively reduces the DP of cellulose to suitable ranges for spinning, enhancing the spinnability and economic viability of the process while maintaining the mechanical properties of the regenerated fibers.
Implementation Method 1
decreasing the degree of polymerization (DP) of cellulose to under 1500 with a DP decreasing agent, wherein the DP decreasing agent contains an endo-cellulase
Implementation Method 2
subjecting cotton-containing waste textile to an endocellulase enzyme of the type EC 3.2.1.4
Implementation Method 3
adding a cellulose solvent comprising an amine oxide to obtain a cellulose-containing liquid
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for regenerating cellulose fibers from cotton-containing textile, wherein the degree of polymerization (DP) of cellulose in cotton is reduced by using a DP decreasing agent, which is an endo-cellulase of the type EC Number 3.2.1.4, together with mechanical energy. The DP of cellulose in cotton is reduced to under 1500, which makes it particularly suitable for the following steps, especially the spinning step. The cellulose is further dissolved using cellulose solvent comprising NMMO or an aqueous mixture of NMMO and the obtained cellulose-containing liquid is subjected to a spinning process to produce cellulose fibers.