HTC-Lignin Rubber for Low Fluid Permeability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rubber-based materials used in containers and pipelines face challenges in achieving low fluid permeability without compromising other properties like ductility, as existing additives often deteriorate these properties.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating hydrothermal carbonization-treated lignin (HTC-lignin) into rubber-based materials to form a polymer network that reduces fluid permeability without affecting other properties, specifically by mixing HTC-lignin with natural rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, nitrile-butadiene rubber, nitrile rubber, chloroprene rubber, or ethylene propylene diene rubber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additive material is mixed with rubber-based matrix material to decrease fluid permeability, then fluid permeability is reduced, but other properties such as ductility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by treating lignin through hydrothermal carbonization to produce HTC-lignin with specific physical and chemical properties. This treatment modifies the lignin's molecular structure and surface characteristics, enabling it to decrease fluid permeability while maintaining compatibility with the rubber matrix and preserving ductility. The hydrothermal carbonization process transforms raw lignin into a form that optimally balances permeability reduction with mechanical property preservation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining rubber-based matrix material with HTC-lignin to create a composite rubber composition. This composite structure leverages the permeability-reducing properties of HTC-lignin while maintaining the elastomeric characteristics of the rubber matrix. The synergistic combination allows the material to achieve low fluid permeability without sacrificing ductility, as the rubber matrix continues to provide flexibility while HTC-lignin provides the barrier function.
2Reliability
If conventional additives are used to reduce fluid permeability, then permeability decreases, but manufacturing complexity and property compromise increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by isolating and utilizing specifically HTC-lignin from lignin-containing materials through hydrothermal carbonization treatment. Rather than using complex mixtures of multiple additives, the invention extracts and applies a single, well-defined material (HTC-lignin) that provides the desired permeability reduction. This simplifies the overall material composition compared to conventional approaches that may require multiple additives to achieve similar effects.
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 use of HTC-lignin effectively decreases fluid permeability while maintaining or improving other properties, forming a polymer network that resists fluid permeation and enhances air tightness, making it suitable for applications with pressure differences.
Implementation Method 1
lignin that has been treated by hydrothermal carbonization (hereinafter HTC -lignin) is capable of decreasing fluid permeability of many rubber-based materials
Implementation Method 2
HTC -lignin is capable of decreasing air permeability of many rubber-based materials
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 1c~1d
Figure 2a~2b
AI summary
An article that is not pneumatic tyre for a motor vehicle and that is suitable for use as at least a part of a pressurizable container or pipeline. The article comprises a first side that is, in use, configured to be exposed to a first environment and a second side that is, in use, configured to be exposed to a second environment. At least a part of the article comprises rubber-based material that is configured to restrict fluid permeability and that comprises lignin that has been treated by hydrothermal carbonization. The rubber-based material or a coating of the rubber-based material forms at least a part of the first side, and the first side is, in use, configured to be exposed to a higher pressure than the second side. A use of the article. A method for manufacturing the article.