Fibrillated Cellulose Non-ionic Ether Composite High Dry Matter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fibrillated cellulose (FC) products face challenges in achieving high dry matter content for economic commercialization due to aggregation and hornification issues, making them difficult to redisperse and maintain rheological properties, especially when dried, and current solutions require expensive equipment or additives.
Innovation Solution
Co-processing FC with non-ionic cellulose ethers to create concentrated, easily dispersible powders that retain rheological performance even in aqueous media with salts, using a process involving mechanical treatment, concentration, and controlled drying to achieve high dry matter content without hornification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If fibrillated cellulose is concentrated to high dry matter content for economic commercialization, then production costs and transport costs are reduced, but aggregation and hornification occur making the material difficult to redisperse and maintain rheological properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces non-ionic cellulose ethers as intermediary substances that act as dispersing agents and rheology modifiers. These cellulose ethers prevent aggregation and hornification of fibrillated cellulose at high dry matter contents, enabling easy redispersion while maintaining rheological properties. The cellulose ethers serve as a mediator between the fibrillated cellulose and the aqueous environment, allowing stable suspension even in the presence of salts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system combining fibrillated cellulose with non-ionic cellulose ethers. This composite approach leverages the high surface area and rheological activity of fibrillated cellulose while using the cellulose ethers to provide stability, prevent aggregation, and maintain properties under various conditions including high concentration and salinity. The synergistic combination resolves the contradiction between concentration and stability.
2Quantity of substance
If fibrillated cellulose is dried to high dry matter content for economic commercialization, then storage and transport costs are reduced, but the material becomes difficult to redisperse without expensive equipment or additives
Solution Approach 1:
Non-ionic cellulose ethers serve as intermediary substances that facilitate redispersion of concentrated fibrillated cellulose. These cellulose ethers act as wetting agents and dispersing agents that enable easy mixing with water without requiring expensive high-shear equipment. The cellulose ethers mediate between the concentrated dry material and the aqueous environment, allowing simple redispersion processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in the cellulose ether structure (such as degree of etherification, molecular weight, and hydrophobicity) to optimize performance. By adjusting these parameters, the cellulose ethers can be tuned to provide optimal dispersibility and rheological modification at different concentrations, enabling easy redispersion of high dry matter content products without additional additives or expensive equipment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If fibrillated cellulose products are used in aqueous media with salts for practical applications, then commercial viability is improved, but aggregation increases making redispersion difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Non-ionic cellulose ethers act as intermediary protective agents that shield fibrillated cellulose from salt-induced aggregation. These cellulose ethers form protective interfaces around the cellulose fibrils, preventing direct interaction with salts that would cause aggregation. This intermediary action maintains dispersibility and rheological properties even in saline aqueous media, enabling practical commercial applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes in cellulose ether characteristics (such as hydrophobicity, molecular weight, and etherification degree) to optimize performance in saline environments. By adjusting these parameters, the cellulose ethers can be tailored to provide optimal protection against salt-induced aggregation, maintaining product stability and dispersibility in various aqueous applications including food, personal care, and industrial formulations.
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 method allows for the production of FC products with high dry matter content that are easily dispersible and maintain desired rheological properties, including thixotropic behavior, without the need for expensive equipment or additives, enabling economic commercial-scale production and use in various applications.
Implementation Method 1
the compositions of the invention... provide thixotropic compositions when dissolved in an aqueous medium
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to compositions comprising fibrillated cellulose and one or more nonionic cellulose ethers. Such compositions were found to be able to modify the rheology of an aqueous medium, also when the aqueous medium comprises salts and surfactants, whereby specific formulations shows desirable thixotropic thickening of the aqueous medium.