Cryogenic Leaf Embrittlement for Guayule Latex Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for removing leaves from rubber-producing plants, such as Guayule, often result in environmental and health concerns, as well as undesirable dehydration and coagulation of latex, particularly due to the use of chemical defoliants and hormonal treatments, which are not suitable for plants lacking a leaf abscission zone.
Innovation Solution
The method involves contacting harvested plant material with a cryogenic liquid to embrittle the leaves, followed by applying a mechanical force to separate them from the branches, while avoiding embrittlement of the branches, and optionally using rapid defrosting to prevent latex coagulation, utilizing techniques like agitation, vibration, or density separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional chemical defoliants or hormonal treatments are used to remove leaves, then leaf removal is achieved, but environmental and health concerns arise, and latex coagulation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical state parameter of the leaves by exposing them to cryogenic temperatures, transforming them from a flexible state to an embrittled state. This physical parameter change enables mechanical removal without chemical agents, eliminating the harmful effects of chemical defoliants and hormonal treatments while preventing latex coagulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces chemical and hormonal systems with a physical cryogenic system. Instead of using chemicals to soften leaves for removal, the system uses cold temperatures to embrittle leaves, making them susceptible to mechanical fracture. This substitution eliminates the harmful chemical effects while achieving the same functional goal of leaf removal.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional chemical and hormonal defoliants are used on plants lacking a leaf abscission zone, then leaf removal is attempted, but dehydration and irreversible coagulation of latex occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies a cryogenic temperature parameter change that selectively embrittles leaves without affecting the plant's latex content. By controlling the temperature exposure, the system achieves leaf embrittlement while maintaining latex fluidity, thus removing leaves without causing dehydration or coagulation of the valuable latex product.
3Ease of manufacture
If cryogenic liquid is applied for extended time to embrittle leaves, then leaf separation is improved, but branches may become embrittled and damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies partial action by controlling the cryogenic exposure time to be sufficient for leaf embrittlement but insufficient for branch embrittlement. This partial application of the cryogenic effect achieves the desired leaf separation while preserving branch strength and integrity for subsequent processing.
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 separates leaves from branches without coagulating the latex, reducing contamination and dehydration, and can be scaled for industrial use, enhancing the quality and yield of natural rubber latex for medical and industrial applications.
Implementation Method 1
contacting at least a portion of harvested plant material having a leaves and branches with at least one cryogenic liquid for at least an amount of time sufficient to produce embrittled leaves
Data Source
AI summary
Methods are provided for rapid and efficient removal and separation of leaves and bark from harvested plant material for use in extraction and purification of plant products, and in particular, the removal of leaves and bark from Guayule for the extraction of latex for use in latex and rubber products.