Oxyhydroxide Compounds in Cigarette Paper for CO Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for reducing carbon monoxide in cigarette mainstream smoke are inefficient and often require costly or time-consuming manufacturing processes, and there is a need for a method that can catalyze or oxidize carbon monoxide along the length of the cigarette during smoking.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating oxyhydroxide compounds, such as FeOOH or TiOOH, into cigarette wrappers and fillers that decompose during smoking to form catalysts or oxidants capable of converting carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide, thereby reducing its presence in mainstream smoke.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional methods are used to reduce carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke, then carbon monoxide reduction is achieved, but manufacturing cost and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecarbon monoxide in smokeVSAvoidmanufacturing cost and processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical form of iron from metallic or oxide states to oxyhydroxide compounds (FeOOH), which decompose at cigarette burning temperatures to release atomic oxygen. This parameter change in chemical state and reactivity enables effective carbon monoxide oxidation without requiring complex manufacturing processes or expensive catalysts, directly resolving the contradiction between harmful factor reduction and ease of manufacture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses inexpensive oxyhydroxide compounds that decompose completely during the cigarette burning process, releasing their oxygen for carbon monoxide conversion and then being consumed. This disposable approach eliminates the need for expensive, durable catalysts while achieving effective carbon monoxide reduction, resolving the contradiction between harm reduction and manufacturing cost

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If carbon monoxide is oxidized along the length of the cigarette, then carbon monoxide reduction efficiency is improved, but the complexity of the system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecarbon monoxide conversion efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The oxyhydroxide compounds serve multiple functions: they act as oxygen sources for carbon monoxide oxidation, function as catalysts to lower activation energy, and decompose at appropriate temperatures during cigarette burning. This multi-functionality enables efficient carbon monoxide conversion along the cigarette length without requiring separate components or complex systems, resolving the contradiction between conversion efficiency and system complexity

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

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 use of oxyhydroxide compounds effectively reduces the amount of carbon monoxide in mainstream smoke, minimizing its exposure to smokers and reducing second-hand smoke, while maintaining stability and cost-effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

the oxyhydroxide compound is capable of decomposing to form at least one product capable of acting as an oxidant for the conversion of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDecomposition: Decomposition (biological)

Implementation Method 2

acting as an oxidant for the conversion of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide and/or as a catalyst for the conversion of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Implementation Method 3

acting as an oxidant for the conversion of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide and/or as a catalyst for the conversion of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Data Source

PatentUS8701681B2Use of oxyhydroxide compounds in cigarette paper for reducing carbon monoxide in the mainstream smoke of a cigarette
Publication Date: 2014.04.22 PHILIP MORRIS USA INC

AI summary

Cigarette paper, methods for making cigarettes and methods for smoking cigarettes are provided, which involve the use of an oxyhydroxide compound that is capable of decomposing to form at least one product capable of acting as an oxidant for the conversion of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide and/or as a catalyst for the conversion of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide. The oxyhydroxide compound and/or the product formed from the decomposition of the oxyhydroxide can be in the form of nanoparticles. The oxyhydroxide compounds can be represented by MOOH where M is a metal selected from the group consisting of transition metals, rare earth metals, and mixtures thereof.