Microbial Biomass Carbon Black Via Crystal-Encrusted Pyrolysis
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The production of pigments and colorants from non-toxic biomass faces challenges in achieving sufficiently small particle sizes suitable for industrial applications, and existing methods generate toxic bioproducts that harm human health and the environment.
Innovation Solution
A method involving microbial biomass treatment with soluble ions to form crystal encrusted cells, followed by thermal processing and washing to produce a carbon black pigment, achieving particle sizes of 0.01 to 100 microns with increased flowability, porosity, and jetness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional pigment production methods are used, then pigment can be produced, but toxic bioproducts are generated that harm human health and the environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the production process by using soluble ions (calcium and phosphate) to induce crystal formation on microbial cells, transforming the pigment production mechanism to eliminate toxic bioproducts while maintaining manufacturing feasibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of complex manufacturing processes into a benefit by developing a controlled crystallization method that simplifies the overall process while eliminating toxicity, turning the challenge of safe production into a competitive advantage
2Object-affected harmful factors
If pigment is produced from non-toxic biomass, then environmental safety is improved, but particle size is insufficiently small for industrial applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-treating microbial cells with soluble ions to induce crystal formation and encrustation before thermal processing, which controls particle size reduction to achieve the desired fine particle size range (0.01 to 100 microns) while maintaining environmental safety
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the pigment production process into distinct stages: crystal nucleation, crystal growth/encrustation, thermal processing, and washing, allowing precise control at each step to achieve the target particle size while maintaining non-toxic characteristics
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 produces a carbon black pigment with improved properties, such as increased flowability, porosity, and jetness, while using sustainable and non-toxic microbial biomass sources.
Implementation Method 1
nucleating the plurality of microbial cells by adding a first soluble ion to the microbial biomass solution
Implementation Method 2
initiating crystal formation in and/or on the plurality of microbial cells by adding a second soluble ion to the microbial biomass solution, forming a plurality of crystal encrusted microbial cells, where the charge of the first soluble ion is the opposite of the charge of the second soluble ion and where the crystals are formed from precipitation of the first and second ions
Implementation Method 3
performing thermal processing of the plurality of crystal encrusted microbial cells to form a charred biomass
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a method for producing a carbon black pigment from a microbial biomass. In certain aspects, the method involves providing a microbial biomass solution with a plurality microbial cells in an aqueous solvent; nucleating the plurality of microbial cells by adding a first soluble ion to the microbial biomass solution; initiating crystal formation in and/or on the plurality of microbial cells by adding a second soluble ion to the microbial biomass solution, forming a plurality of crystal encrusted microbial cells, where the charge of the first soluble ion is the opposite of the charge of the second soluble ion and where the crystals are formed from precipitation of the first and second ions; and performing thermal processing of the plurality of crystal encrusted microbial cells to form a charred biomass; washing the charred biomass to form a microbechar.