Microfibrous Cellulose Aggregate Redispersibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

The high shipping and storage costs associated with microfibrous cellulose dispersion liquids due to their low concentration and liquid content, which increases the cost per unit of microfibrous cellulose.

Innovation Solution

A microfibrous cellulose aggregate with a high concentration of microfibrous cellulose (6-80 mass%) and a liquid compound (15-94 mass%), along with the use of flocculants, acids, or alkalis, is developed, allowing for the concentration and subsequent redispersion of microfibrous cellulose, reducing shipping and storage costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If microfibrous cellulose is shipped as a low-concentration dispersion liquid to maintain dispersion stability, then the dispersion stability is improved, but the shipping cost and storage cost per unit microfibrous cellulose increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedispersion stabilityVSAvoidconcentration of microfibrous cellulose
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the concentration parameter of microfibrous cellulose from low (0.1-10 mass%) to high (60-80 mass%), and simultaneously changes the physical state parameter from liquid dispersion to solid aggregate, thereby reducing shipping and storage costs while maintaining redispersibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention utilizes phase transition between liquid dispersion and solid aggregate states. The microfibrous cellulose is transformed from a liquid dispersion liquid into a solid aggregate form that can be easily stored and transported, then redispersed when needed, effectively separating the storage/transport state from the usage state

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

2Quantity of substance

If microfibrous cellulose is concentrated to reduce shipping and storage costs, then the cost per unit microfibrous cellulose decreases, but the redispersibility may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconcentration of microfibrous celluloseVSAvoidredispersibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention performs preliminary action by adding dispersants during the aggregate formation process, so that when the aggregate is later redispersed, the pre-added dispersants facilitate easy redispersion without requiring additional processing steps

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces dispersants as intermediary substances that mediate between the concentrated microfibrous cellulose aggregate and the dispersion medium, enabling easy redispersion by preventing aggregation and facilitating uniform distribution

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 microfibrous cellulose aggregate significantly reduces shipping and storage costs per unit while maintaining high redispersibility and quality, enabling efficient manufacturing and reuse of microfibrous cellulose dispersion liquids.

Implementation Method 1

a microfibrous cellulose aggregate comprising: microfibrous cellulose having an average fiber width of 2 nm to 50 nm; and a liquid compound composed of at least one of water or an organic solvent; a content of the microfibrous cellulose being from 6 mass % to 80 mass %; and a content of the liquid compound being at least 15 mass %

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlocculation: Flocculation

Implementation Method 2

The microfibrous cellulose aggregate according to [1], further comprising an acid. The microfibrous cellulose aggregate according to

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurface charge modification: Electrostatic Induction

Implementation Method 3

a method for remanufacturing a microfibrous cellulose dispersion liquid in which a microfibrous cellulose dispersion liquid with a reduced shipping cost and storage cost per unit microfibrous cellulose can be obtained

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRedispersion: Dispersion (of waves)

Data Source

PatentUS11702532B2Microfibrous cellulose-containing substance
Publication Date: 2023.07.18 OJI HLDG CORP

AI summary

A microfibrous cellulose aggregate containing microfibrous cellulose having an average fiber width of 2 nm to 50 nm and a liquid compound including at least one of water or an organic solvent. The content of the microfibrous cellulose is from 6 mass % to 80 mass % per the mass of the entire microfibrous cellulose aggregate, and the content of the liquid compound is at least 15 mass % per the mass of the entire microfibrous cellulose aggregate.