Continuous Wet-Spinning Cellulose Fiber Neutralization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for producing cellulose aerogel fibers are inefficient, requiring manual batch-wise processing for neutralization and solvent exchange, which increases time, resource consumption, and costs, hindering industrial scalability and economic feasibility.

Innovation Solution

A continuous cellulose wet-spinning process that dissolves cellulose, sprays the dope into a regeneration bath, stretches the fiber, and passes it through multiple baths with varying compositions for neutralization and solvent exchange, optimizing the solvent exchange gradient to achieve low water and ion content, enabling efficient drying and preserving the fiber's porous structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If manual batch-wise processing is used for neutralization and solvent exchange, then fiber quality can be maintained, but production time and resource consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiber qualityVSAvoidproduction time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a continuous wet-spinning process where cellulose dope is continuously sprayed into a regeneration bath, and the formed fibers continuously pass through multiple baths for neutralization and solvent exchange. This continuous processing eliminates the need for manual batch-wise handling, maintaining fiber quality while significantly reducing production time and resource consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses multiple baths with different compositions that automatically perform neutralization and solvent exchange functions as the fibers pass through them. The process self-regulates the chemical environment along the fiber path, eliminating manual intervention while maintaining product quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple baths with different compositions are used for neutralization and solvent exchange, then fiber purification is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiber purificationVSAvoidprocess complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the processing system into multiple sequential baths, each with a specific chemical composition tailored for a particular function (neutralization, solvent exchange). This segmentation allows each bath to be optimized for its specific purpose while maintaining overall system organization and manageability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The multiple baths serve different functions within a unified continuous processing system. Each bath performs a specific purification or exchange function, but together they form an integrated system that handles both neutralization and solvent exchange automatically, reducing the need for separate manual operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If continuous processing is implemented, then productivity increases, but control over fiber properties becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction rateVSAvoidfiber property control
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The continuous wet-spinning process incorporates control mechanisms that monitor and adjust processing parameters along the fiber path. The system maintains optimal conditions in each bath section to ensure consistent fiber properties while operating at continuous high speed, balancing productivity with precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 process significantly reduces production time and resource consumption, enabling the continuous production of high-quality cellulose aerogel fibers with high specific surface areas and low shrinkage, making them suitable for biomedical, textile, and adsorption applications.

Implementation Method 1

spraying the dope obtained thereby through a nozzle into a regeneration bath in order to create a wet-gel fiber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGelation: Gel

Implementation Method 2

passing it through multiple baths of different compositions for neutralisation and solvent-exchange

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentEP4553204A1Continuous neutralization and solvent-exchange of wet-gel cellulose fibers
Publication Date: 2025.05.14 DEUTSCHES ZENTRUM FÜR LUFT UND RAUMFAHRT E V
  • EP4553204A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4553204A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4553204A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a cellulose wet-spinning process by dissolving same (cellulose) and spraying the dope through a nozzle into a regeneration bath in order to create a wet-gel fiber, stretching the regenerated fiber followed by passing it through multiple baths of different compositions for neutralisation and solvent-exchange.