Recycled Cellulosic Absorbent Matting with Bonding Agent
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial absorbent mats made from virgin materials are costly and subject to price variations, while recycled cellulosic materials like Cellulose Lost in Industrial Production (CLIP) are underutilized due to challenges in fiber bonding and compatibility with existing absorbent applications.
Innovation Solution
A three-layer absorbent structure is created using a core layer of recycled cellulose material with a bonding agent, combined with airlaid processing and the addition of fire retardants, surfactants, and hydrophobic compounds in an aqueous batch treatment to enhance absorbency and durability, and a bonding process that activates below the polymer's melting point to maintain fiber integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If recycled cellulosic material (CLIP) is used instead of virgin materials, then cost is reduced, but fiber bonding and compatibility with existing absorbent applications deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines recycled cellulosic material (CLIP) with synthetic bonding agents and polymers to create a composite absorbent matting that maintains the cost advantages of recycled materials while achieving reliable fiber bonding and compatibility with existing absorbent applications through the synergistic properties of the composite structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of the recycled cellulosic material through processing treatments and combines it with bonding agents in specific ratios and configurations, changing the material properties to achieve both cost-effectiveness and reliable bonding performance
2Quantity of substance
If CLIP is used as absorbent material, then cost effectiveness is improved, but fire safety and durability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces fire retardant chemicals and polymers as intermediary substances that mediate between the recycled cellulosic material and fire safety requirements, allowing the CLIP to maintain its cost effectiveness while the additives provide the necessary fire protection and durability characteristics
3Reliability
If additives are added to CLIP to improve performance, then absorbency and fire retardancy are improved, but even distribution of additives and maintenance of loft and absorption capacity becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies additives such as fire retardants, surfactants, and hydrophobic compounds to the recycled cellulosic material before the absorbent matting is formed, ensuring even distribution throughout the material structure and maintaining loft and absorption capacity by preventing clumping and ensuring uniform property distribution
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 solution provides a cost-effective, high-absorbency absorbent mat with improved fire retardancy and aqueous fluid handling capabilities, maintaining the benefits of recycled materials while ensuring even distribution of additives and maintaining loft and absorption capacity.
Implementation Method 1
a bonding process that activates below the polymer's melting point to maintain fiber integrity
Implementation Method 2
CLIP provides an excellent substitute in many applications in which the aforementioned absorbents are used
Implementation Method 3
a core layer positioned between the first outer layer and the second outer layer, wherein the core layer comprises a recycled cellulose material
Implementation Method 4
the addition of fire retardants, surfactants, and hydrophobic compounds in an aqueous batch treatment to enhance absorbency and durability
Data Source
AI summary
An absorbent structure is provided which comprises a first outer layer, a second outer layer, a core layer positioned between the first outer layer and the second outer layer, wherein the core layer comprises a recycled cellulose material, and a core bonding agent.