Recycle-Content Cellulose Ester from Pyrolysis-Derived Ethylene
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a global issue with waste disposal of non-biodegradable materials such as plastics and textiles, and there is a need for consumer products to incorporate renewable and recycled materials to reduce environmental impact.
Innovation Solution
A process is developed to produce cellulose esters using recycled ethylene derived from pyrolysis oil, which involves cracking a recycle content pyrolysis oil composition to produce ethylene, converting it into propionic acid and anhydride, and reacting it with cellulose to form cellulose esters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional non-biodegradable materials (plastics, textiles) are used for manufacturing consumer products, then productivity and ease of manufacture are maintained, but waste disposal problems and environmental harm worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the raw materials by using recycled ethylene and renewable acid feedstocks instead of conventional petroleum-based materials. This substitution maintains manufacturing productivity while eliminating the harmful factor of non-biodegradable waste accumulation in landfills and oceans.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention recovers and reuses materials that would otherwise be discarded as waste. By incorporating recycled ethylene and recycled acid content into the cellulose ester production process, the patent transforms waste streams into valuable feedstocks, thereby reducing waste disposal problems while maintaining production efficiency.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If recycled materials are incorporated into consumer products, then waste disposal is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a multi-functional cellulose ester material that simultaneously achieves waste reduction through recycled content incorporation and maintains standard manufacturing processes. The cellulose ester can be processed using conventional extrusion and molding equipment, preventing manufacturing complexity from increasing despite the use of recycled materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses cellulose ester as an intermediary material that bridges recycled feedstocks and final consumer products. The multi-step chemical transformation process (ethylene to acid to ester) acts as a mediating pathway that simplifies the integration of recycled materials into existing manufacturing systems.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If renewable and recycled materials are used to reduce environmental impact, then carbon emissions are reduced, but manufacturing precision and material consistency become more difficult to control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements quality control feedback mechanisms to monitor and adjust the variability inherent in recycled and renewable feedstocks. By continuously monitoring material properties during production and making real-time adjustments, the invention maintains manufacturing precision and material consistency while using sustainable materials that reduce carbon emissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite cellulose ester material that combines renewable cellulose with recycled ethylene and recycled acid content. This composite structure allows the benefits of multiple sustainable feedstocks to be combined while the synergistic interaction between components helps stabilize material properties and maintain manufacturing precision.
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 process allows for the production of cellulose esters with significant renewable and recycled content, reducing waste and carbon emissions by utilizing waste materials in the manufacturing of consumer products.
Implementation Method 1
cracking a recycle content pyrolysis oil composition
Implementation Method 2
reacting it with cellulose to form cellulose esters
Data Source
AI summary
A process for preparing a recycle content cellulose ester and a recycle content cellulose ester composition comprising at least one cellulose ester having at least one substituent on an anhydroglucose unit (AU) derived from a recycle ethylene composition are provided.