Chitin Chitosan Contamination Removal via Density Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing manufacturing processes for chitin and chitosan do not effectively remove contaminants such as fishing nets, seaweed, and transportation bag materials, which can be present due to fishing and transportation processes.
Innovation Solution
A process involving the use of water to separate contaminants from chitin and chitosan, where the desirable material absorbs water and sinks, while contaminants float to the surface, allowing for their removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If visual inspection and catchment steps are used to remove contamination, then some contamination is removed, but visible contamination remains in the material
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameter of density by introducing a liquid medium that causes contaminants to float while the desirable material sinks. This density-based separation parameter fundamentally differs from the previous visual inspection and mechanical catchment methods, enabling effective contamination removal in a single step.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical visual inspection and catchment system with a fluid-based separation system. Instead of using spikes, fingers, or filters to trap contaminants, the invention uses buoyancy forces in a liquid medium to automatically separate contaminants from the desirable material based on density differences.
2Manufacturing precision
If filtering or sieving is used to remove contamination, then some contaminants are trapped, but the process does not fully eliminate fishing line material, seaweed, and transportation bag material
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the separation parameter from size-based filtering/sieving to density-based buoyancy separation. This allows the process to effectively remove contaminants of various sizes and shapes (fishing line, seaweed, bag material) that cannot be removed by traditional mechanical filtering methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the phase transition of the material in the liquid medium - the desirable material absorbs liquid and sinks, while contaminants float. This phase behavior difference enables complete elimination of various contaminant types in a single processing step, improving both purity and productivity.
3Reliability
If multiple washing and decalcification steps are used, then the material is processed, but contamination from fishing nets, seaweed, and transportation bags remains
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces multiple chemical washing and decalcification steps with a single mechanical buoyancy-based separation process. The liquid medium enables contaminants to be physically separated from the desirable material based on density, achieving both complete processing and contamination removal simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new separation parameter (density/buoyancy) that is independent of the chemical processing steps. This allows the process to achieve both thorough material processing and complete contamination elimination in one step, resolving the contradiction between processing completeness and contamination removal.
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 process effectively reduces or removes contaminants from raw materials containing chitin and chitosan, maintaining the yield of the desirable material and providing a clean product suitable for medical applications.
Implementation Method 1
the desirable material absorbs water and sinks, while contaminants float to the surface
Implementation Method 2
the desirable material absorbs water and sinks, while contaminants float to the surface
Implementation Method 3
The separated material is then dewatered
Implementation Method 4
The separated material is then dewatered
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a process for the removal of contamination from a raw material comprising a desirable material, such as chitin and/or chitosan. The process comprises mixing a raw material with a liquid, wherein the raw material comprises at least one contaminant and at least one desirable material, and wherein the at least one desirable material is capable of absorbing the liquid; and allowing the at least one contaminant and at least one desirable material to separate in a separation container.