Cellulose Fiber Granulate for Free-Flowing Liquid Feed Carriers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing carrier materials for liquid additives in animal feed, such as diatomaceous earth and biochar, pose health risks and have limited oil-binding capacity, while commercially available cellulose fibers lose free-flowing properties when saturated, necessitating a safer, more effective, and free-flowing granulate solution.
Innovation Solution
A granulate composed of cellulose-containing fibers, produced through build-up agglomeration and drying, with a loose fiber network creating capillaries for high absorption capacity and maintained flowability, using binders to enhance stability and a controlled particle size distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If inorganic substances like diatomaceous earth are used as carrier material, then oil-binding capacity is achieved (approximately 2.4 ml/g), but health risks arise due to crystalline SiO2 promoting chronic lung diseases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from inorganic crystalline SiO2 to organic amorphous cellulose, transforming the chemical composition and structure to eliminate health risks while maintaining or improving oil-binding capacity through capillary action in the porous cellulose network
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite granulate particles comprising cellulose fibers and binders, creating a multi-component organic material that combines the oil-absorbing capacity of cellulose with the structural stability provided by binders, offering a safe alternative to inorganic materials
2Object-affected harmful factors
If biochar or corncob granules are used as organic alternatives, then health safety is improved, but oil-binding capacity is significantly reduced compared to inorganic alternatives
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the porous structure of cellulose fibers to create capillaries that actively draw in and hold oil through capillary action, significantly enhancing the oil-binding capacity beyond that of non-porous organic materials like biochar while maintaining health safety
Solution Approach 2:
The invention optimizes parameters such as particle size distribution (0.6-2.0 mm), porosity, and surface area of the cellulose granulates to maximize oil-binding capacity while maintaining health safety, achieving superior performance compared to conventional organic alternatives
3Quantity of substance
If wood or cellulose fibers are used as carrier material, then oil-binding capacity is high, but free-flowing properties are lost when saturated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cellulose material into discrete granulate particles with controlled size distribution (0.6-2.0 mm), preventing clumping and maintaining free-flowing properties even when saturated with oil, while the porous internal structure provides high oil-binding capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention optimizes physical parameters including particle size, shape, and porosity of the cellulose granulates to balance oil-binding capacity with free-flowing properties, ensuring the carrier material remains pourable and handleable even at high oil loadings
4Ease of operation
If commercially available cellulose fibers are used, then free-flowing properties are maintained, but oil-binding capacity is insufficient compared to saturated state requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates highly porous cellulose granulates with optimized pore size and distribution, enabling the material to absorb and retain large quantities of oil through capillary action while maintaining the free-flowing properties of the granulate particles themselves
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 granulate achieves at least equal weight absorption of liquid substances while remaining free-flowing, preventing leakage and maintaining integrity under pressure, suitable for animal feed without separation, and adaptable for various applications.
Implementation Method 1
The granule particles are capable of absorbing at least their own weight in a liquid substance... The granules contain cellulose-containing fibers... which form a loose network, so that cavities are formed between the cellulose-containing fibers. These cavities are so narrow that they act as capillaries.
Implementation Method 2
The carrier material must be able to bind sufficient quantities of liquid... Even under pressure or elevated temperature, the liquid must not leak from the carrier material.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a granulate whose granule particles comprise cellulose-containing fibers. The granulate according to the invention is characterized in that the granule particles are able to absorb at least their own weight in a liquid substance while simultaneously maintaining their flowability.