Olive Pit Bioplastic Granules from Prina Waste

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bioplastics derived from cellulosic materials are expensive, lack heat resistance, and cannot be used in all sectors due to compatibility issues, while also contributing to food waste and health concerns from preservatives.

Innovation Solution

A method involving two chemical shredding processes to extract cellulose from olive pit waste, followed by the addition of natural polymerizers like glycerin and antimicrobial agents, results in heat-resistant bioplastic granules that reduce food waste and environmental impact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If bioplastics are produced from cellulosic materials, then environmental friendliness is improved, but production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental friendlinessVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention converts olive pit waste, which is a harmful environmental factor (waste requiring disposal), into a beneficial resource for bioplastic production. The waste material is transformed from a liability into the raw material foundation for creating eco-friendly bioplastics, simultaneously addressing environmental concerns and reducing production costs by using free or low-cost waste feedstock

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The bioplastic production process utilizes naturally occurring cellulose in olive pits as the primary material, requiring minimal external input. The olive pits themselves provide the essential cellulosic structure needed for bioplastic formation, reducing the need for additional expensive raw material purchases and processing steps

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional bioplastics are used, then environmental compatibility is improved, but heat resistance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental compatibilityVSAvoidheat resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical and physical parameters of the bioplastic by incorporating specific natural polymers (starch, chitosan, gelatin) and additives (nanoparticles, plasticizers) into the cellulose matrix. These parameter changes enhance the thermal stability and heat resistance of the bioplastic while preserving its environmental compatibility and biodegradability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite material system where cellulose from olive pits is combined with other natural polymers and functional additives. This composite structure leverages the complementary properties of each component: cellulose provides structural integrity, starch adds flexibility, chitosan enhances barrier properties, and nanoparticle reinforcements improve thermal stability, achieving both environmental compatibility and heat resistance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Adaptability or versatility

If bioplastics are produced to match plastic compatibility, then sector applicability is improved, but production restrictions increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesector applicabilityVSAvoidproduction restrictions
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention develops a universal bioplastic formulation based on olive pit cellulose that can serve multiple applications across different sectors. By creating a base material with adjustable properties through additive selection, the bioplastic can be adapted for packaging, agricultural films, disposable tableware, and other applications, reducing production restrictions and expanding sector applicability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Ease of manufacture

If petroleum-derived plastics are used, then cost effectiveness is improved, but environmental pollution worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecost effectivenessVSAvoidenvironmental pollution
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention converts olive pit waste, which would otherwise be an environmental pollutant requiring costly disposal, into a valuable raw material for bioplastic production. This transformation eliminates the need to pay for both waste management and raw material acquisition, making the process cost-effective while simultaneously reducing environmental pollution

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of discarding olive pits as waste, the invention recovers and utilizes the cellulose content for bioplastic production. This recovery process transforms a waste stream into a revenue-generating resource, improving cost effectiveness by eliminating disposal costs and creating a valuable product from previously discarded material

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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 cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and antimicrobial bioplastic granules that can withstand high temperatures, reducing food waste and health risks from preservatives, and are suitable for various industrial applications.

Implementation Method 1

mixing the dry prina obtained from the olive oil factory with NaOH solution in the reactor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSolvation: Solvation

Implementation Method 2

mixing cellulose with H2SO4 and mixing it in the reactor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Implementation Method 3

adding glycerin or sorbitol and antimicrobial agent (oleuropein)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrogen bonding: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS11919973B2Method of producing bioplastic granules from olive pit waste (prina)
Publication Date: 2024.03.05 YILDIZ TEKNIK UNIVSI

AI summary

A method for producing bioplastic granules includes the steps of subjecting an olive pit waste (prina) from olive oil factories to two different chemical shredding processes, extracting a necessary material for a bioplastic production from a shredded olive pit waste and adding natural polymerizer form holders into the necessary material.