Grass Fiber Suspension Processing for Strength Preservation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Grass fibers used in paper production are mechanically sensitive, leading to shortening and breaking during processing, resulting in reduced fiber length and strength, which limits their effectiveness in papermaking.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a fiber suspension with a combination of grass fibers and beating-resistant fibers, such as wood pulp, is used, where the grass fibers are compacted and processed with specific grinding techniques to enhance their binding potential and strength, incorporating a mixture of different fiber types to protect the sensitive fibers during processing and improve fibrillation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If grass fibers are processed through intensive milling and dispersion, then fiber suspension is achieved, but fiber length is significantly reduced and fibers are broken

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiber suspensionVSAvoidfiber length
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-compressing grass fibers into compacted form before processing. This pre-treatment protects the fibers during subsequent milling operations, maintaining fiber length while still achieving proper suspension in the fiber suspension through controlled delamination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Stability of the object's composition

If grass fibers are processed through intensive milling, then fiber dispersion is improved, but fiber strength is reduced due to breaking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiber dispersionVSAvoidfiber strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The compacting step performed before milling serves as preliminary action that strengthens the fiber structure. The compacted grass fibers resist breaking during intensive milling, maintaining both good dispersion and fiber strength in the final product.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Area of moving object

If more grinding energy is applied to grass fibers, then fiber surface area increases, but fiber shortening increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiber surface areaVSAvoidfiber length
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of moving objectVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Pre-compression of grass fibers creates a more resistant structure that can withstand higher grinding energy input. This allows achieving greater fiber surface area through intensive milling while the compacted structure prevents excessive fiber shortening and breaking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Length of moving object

If grass fibers are processed gently to maintain fiber length, then fiber strength is preserved, but fiber suspension is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiber lengthVSAvoidfiber suspension
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The compacting step prepares fibers for subsequent intensive processing by creating a structure that will delaminate properly. This preliminary action enables the fibers to achieve good suspension when processed, while the compacted structure protects them from excessive shortening during the process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 approach results in improved paper strength and surface area, reducing fiber loss and enhancing the paper's mechanical properties, while maintaining the sensitivity of grass fibers through gentle processing.

Implementation Method 1

mixing and/or swelling the fibers in the fiber suspension under predetermined conditions with respect to density and temperature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSwelling:

Implementation Method 2

joint milling of the at least two fiber types in a fiber suspension

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical grinding: Abrasion

Data Source

PatentEP4018033B1Method for preparing grass fibers, in particular for preparing a pulp mixture containing grass fibers
Publication Date: 2023.08.02 CREAPAPER
  • EP4018033B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4018033B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4018033B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for preparing grass fibers, having the steps of providing a pulp suspension made of a specified content of at least two pulp types, wherein the first pulp type is grass fibers, and the second pulp type is selected from a group of grinding-resistant pulps which comprise chemical pulp, for example sulfate pulp or sulfite pulp, in each case based on long-fiber wood or short-fiber wood, wood pulp, and synthetic fibers; mixing and/or swelling the fibers in the pulp suspension under specific conditions with respect to material density and temperature; and grinding the at least two pulp types together in a pulp suspension, wherein the content of the second pulp type in dry weight lies between 10% and 50%, preferably between 20% and 40%, in particular at 30%.