Non-Hevea Rubber Extraction via Alkaline Pretreatment and Pebble Milling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for extracting rubber from Taraxacum kok-saghyz roots face challenges such as low yield, high impurity levels, and the need for water addition and long processing times, which affect the purity and efficiency of the rubber extraction process.
Innovation Solution
A method involving hot water or dilute basic aqueous solution treatment, followed by pebble milling with enzymes, and centrifugation to separate rubber from other materials, reducing impurities and improving yield, is employed. This process, known as PENRA V, includes alkaline or acid pretreatment to enhance rubber recovery and purity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the Eskew process is used to extract rubber from Taraxacum kok-saghyz roots, then the extraction process can be completed, but the rubber yield is low (10%) and impurity levels are high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing alkaline or acid pretreatment on the rubber-containing material before the main extraction process. This pretreatment step modifies the structure of the plant cell walls and rubber matrix, making the rubber more accessible to solvents and enabling higher yield extraction while maintaining purity. The pretreatment weakens the bonding between rubber and impurities, facilitating their subsequent separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by optimizing multiple process variables including solvent composition (using hexane, heptane, or their mixtures with specific ratios), temperature (maintaining 20-40°C to prevent rubber degradation), extraction time (4-24 hours), and particle size (0.5-2.0 mm). These parameter optimizations enable simultaneous achievement of high rubber yield (>80%) and high purity (>97%) by controlling the extraction kinetics and selectivity.
2Manufacturing precision
If organic solvent purification is used to achieve high purity rubber, then purity is improved, but additional processing steps and costs are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by using selective organic solvents (hexane, heptane, or their mixtures) to extract rubber from the pretreated plant material. The solvent selectively dissolves rubber while leaving impurities behind, achieving high purity (>97%) in a single extraction operation without requiring additional purification steps. The rubber-solvent solution is then filtered and the solvent is removed to obtain pure rubber.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses organic solvents as intermediary substances that facilitate the separation of rubber from impurities. The solvent acts as a mediator by forming a soluble complex with rubber that can be easily separated from insoluble impurities through filtration. After extraction, the solvent is removed to leave pure rubber, demonstrating the intermediary's role in achieving high purity without complex processing.
3Productivity
If enzymatic processes are used to digest root skin, then yield and purity are improved, but water must be added to form slurry and long incubation times (24-48 h) are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the slow enzymatic digestion process with a mechanical pretreatment approach using alkaline or acid solutions that rapidly break down plant cell walls and release rubber. This chemical-mechanical pretreatment takes only 0.5-2.0 hours compared to 24-48 hours for enzymatic processes, significantly reducing processing time while achieving comparable or superior yield and purity. The pretreatment creates a porous structure that facilitates rapid solvent penetration and rubber extraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of processing time by using chemical pretreatment (alkaline or acid) instead of biological enzymatic digestion. The pretreatment conditions (pH, temperature, time) are optimized to achieve rapid cell wall degradation and rubber release within 0.5-2.0 hours, eliminating the need for long incubation periods required by enzymatic processes while maintaining high rubber yield and purity.
4Manufacturing precision
If hot water extraction is used to extract inulin, then inulin is removed, but the rubber extraction efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the extraction process into two distinct stages: (1) hot water extraction to remove inulin and water-soluble impurities, and (2) organic solvent extraction to recover rubber from the pretreated material. This segmentation allows each stage to be optimized independently - the first stage achieves complete inulin removal while the second stage achieves high rubber yield (>80%) and purity (>97%) without interference from inulin.
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 significantly increases rubber yield to over 80% and reduces impurities to less than 3%, achieving high-purity rubber with reduced processing time and without the need for additional water, making it a more efficient and effective alternative to existing methods.
Implementation Method 1
contacting plant material with hot water or a dilute basic aqueous solution, thereby forming a plant material composition with a concentration of 3% or less of water extractable materials by weight and an inulin-containing composition
Implementation Method 2
pebble milling the plant material composition in the presence of enzymes
Implementation Method 3
pebble milling the plant material composition
Implementation Method 4
centrifuging the product of step c) to separate rubber from other material
Implementation Method 5
This process, known as PENRA V, includes alkaline or acid pretreatment to enhance rubber recovery and purity
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides for a method of purifying rubber from a plant that naturally produces rubber, the method including: a) contacting plant material with hot water or a dilute basic aqueous solution, thereby forming a plant material composition with a concentration of 3% or less of water extractable materials by weight and an inulin-containing composition; b) separating the plant material composition from the inulin-containing composition; c) pebble milling the plant material composition in the presence of enzymes; d) centrifuging the product of step c) to separate rubber from other material; and e) removing the rubber. Also provided herein is a product that can be obtained by any of the processes disclosed herein.