Microfibrillated Cellulose Re-dispersion via Inorganic Particulates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dried microfibrillated cellulose experiences a loss of mechanical and physical properties during the drying process, leading to diminished performance upon re-dispersion, which affects its applications in products like paper and polymeric articles.
Innovation Solution
A method involving dewatering and drying of microfibrillated cellulose using techniques such as belt press, centrifuge, or fluidized bed dryers, followed by re-dispersion in a liquid medium, optionally with inorganic particulate materials like calcium carbonate to enhance mechanical and physical properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dried or partially dried microfibrillated cellulose is re-dispersed in a liquid medium, then the mechanical and physical properties are restored to at least 50% of original values, but the drying process causes loss of mechanical and physical properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by adding inorganic particulate materials to the microfibrillated cellulose suspension before drying. This pre-treatment ensures that when drying occurs and properties are typically lost, the inorganic particles are already in place to prevent or minimize this loss, allowing properties to be restored to at least 50% of original values upon re-dispersion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system by combining microfibrillated cellulose with inorganic particulate materials. This composite structure allows the inorganic particles to provide structural support and property maintenance during drying, while the cellulose provides the base functional properties, resulting in a material that retains at least 50% of its mechanical and physical properties after drying and re-dispersion.
2Reliability
If inorganic particulate materials are added to enhance mechanical and physical properties, then re-dispersed performance is improved, but the composition becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by carefully controlling the particle size, size distribution, and concentration of inorganic particulate materials. By optimizing these parameters, the patent achieves enhanced re-dispersed performance while managing composition complexity through standardized, controllable variations rather than complex multi-component systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses simple, readily available inorganic particulate materials that can be easily added and dispersed. These materials serve their function of enhancing mechanical and physical properties during the drying and re-dispersion process, and can be incorporated into existing formulations without requiring complex processing or specialized materials.
3Weight of moving object
If dewatering and drying methods are used to reduce weight for transport, then transportation costs are reduced, but mechanical and physical properties are diminished upon re-dispersion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating inorganic particulate materials into the microfibrillated cellulose suspension before the dewatering and drying processes. This pre-treatment ensures that when the material is dried for transport and then re-dispersed, the inorganic particles provide structural support that maintains mechanical and physical properties at at least 50% of original values, overcoming the typical property loss associated with drying.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system where inorganic particulate materials are combined with microfibrillated cellulose. This composite structure allows the material to be dried for transport with reduced weight, while the inorganic particles provide a framework that maintains mechanical and physical properties upon re-dispersion, achieving both transportation efficiency and property retention.
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 effectively restores the tensile index and viscosity of re-dispersed microfibrillated cellulose to at least 50% of its original values, maintaining or improving its fiber steepness and enhancing its re-dispersibility and performance in end-use applications.
Implementation Method 1
dewatering by centrifuge
Implementation Method 2
dewatering by belt press, for example, high pressure automated belt press; dewatering by tube press; dewatering by screw press; dewatering by rotary press
Implementation Method 3
drying by microwave and/or radio frequency dryer; drying in a hot air swept mill or dryer, for example, a cell mill or an atritor mill
Implementation Method 4
drying by freeze drying
Implementation Method 5
drying in a fluidized bed dryer
Implementation Method 6
the dried or at least partially dried microfibrillated cellulose comprises inorganic particulate material, the presence of which enhances a mechanical and/or physical property of the re-dispersed microfibrillated cellulose
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
Methods of improving the re-dispersibility of dried or at least partially dried microfibrillated cellulose, methods of re-dispersing dried or at least partially dried microfibrillated cellulose, compositions comprising re-dispersed microfibrillated cellulose and the use of re-dispersed microfibrillated cellulose in an article, product or composition; and methods of improving the physical and/or mechanical properties of re-dispersed dried or partially dried microfibrillated cellulose.