Pulp Fiber Saccharification Polymer Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for obtaining saccharification solution from used absorbent articles face challenges in reducing the concentration of superabsorbent polymers, which can adversely affect the saccharification reaction and hinder the recovery efficiency of the solution.
Innovation Solution
A method involving solid-liquid separation and washing processes to squash and remove superabsorbent polymers from pulp fibers, using pressure dehydration and oxidizing agents like ozone to efficiently reduce their presence, thereby improving the purity and recovery efficiency of the saccharification solution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If superabsorbent polymers are removed after saccharification solution is generated, then recovery efficiency of the solution is improved, but superabsorbent polymers may adversely affect the saccharification reaction and impurities increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by removing superabsorbent polymers from pulp fibers before the saccharification reaction occurs. The method involves separating pulp fibers from used absorbent articles, removing superabsorbent polymers through washing and filtration, and then performing saccharification on the purified fibers. This prevents the polymers from interfering with the enzymatic hydrolysis process while maximizing glucose recovery efficiency.
2Ease of operation
If superabsorbent polymers are squashed and subdivided, then ease of removal is improved, but process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-treating superabsorbent polymers through squashing and subdividing before the main removal process. This is achieved by mechanically compressing the polymer-containing pulp slurry to break down the gel structure of superabsorbent polymers, making them easier to separate in subsequent filtration and washing steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses hydraulic principles in the pressure filtration step where a pressure difference is applied across a filter medium to separate superabsorbent polymer particles from the pulp fiber suspension. The hydraulic pressure forces liquid and fine particles through the filter while retaining larger fiber structures, efficiently removing polymers without complex mechanical systems.
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
This approach effectively reduces the amount of superabsorbent polymers in the pulp fibers, minimizing their impact on the saccharification reaction and enhancing the recovery efficiency of the saccharification solution.
Implementation Method 1
a solid-liquid separation process of, while separating an inactivation aqueous solution which includes the pulp fibers and superabsorbent polymers which are separated from the used absorbent articles into a solid which includes the pulp fibers and the superabsorbent polymers, and a liquid which includes the superabsorbent polymers and the inactivation aqueous solution, squashing the superabsorbent polymers
Implementation Method 2
using pressure dehydration and oxidizing agents like ozone to efficiently reduce their presence
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a method for producing pulp fibers to be saccharified, whereby it becomes possible to reduce the amount of a highly water-absorbable polymer and therefore increase the collection efficiency in the production of a saccharified solution when pulp fibers for a saccharified liquid is produced from a dirty absorbent article. The method is a method for producing pulp fibers to be saccharified, from pulp fibers in a dirty absorbent article. The method includes: a solid-liquid separation step (S18) of crushing up a highly water-absorbable polymer while separating an inactivated aqueous solution containing pulp fibers and the highly water-absorbable polymer both separated from a dirty absorbent article into a solid material (98) containing the pulp fibers and the highly water-absorbable polymer and a liquid material (E) containing the highly water-absorbable polymer and the inactivated aqueous solution; and a removal step (S21) of washing away the remaining highly water-absorbable polymer by washing the separated solid pulp fibers in a solution or another means to produce pulp fibers to be saccharified.