Deodorized Rosin Ester via Silica Adsorbent Pore Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for improved methods to remove odor from tall oil rosin ester compositions, which are used in adhesives and other applications, as existing methods like evaporation do not fully address the issue of odor reduction and sulfur content.

Innovation Solution

A deodorization process using a silica adsorbent bed with specific characteristics, such as pore size, surface area, and silanol level, to reduce the odor intensity of rosin ester compositions, which are then passed through an adsorption column to achieve a low odor and low sulfur content.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If evaporation is used to remove odor components from rosin ester, then some volatile components are removed, but odor reduction is insufficient and energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveodor intensityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a porous adsorbent material with specific pore size (50-200 Å), BET surface area (at least 300 m2/g), and pore volume (1.20-3.00 cc/g) to adsorb odor-causing volatile components from rosin ester. This porous structure provides high surface area for effective adsorption at lower temperatures, replacing energy-intensive evaporation while achieving superior odor reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the adsorbent material, specifically controlling pore size (50-200 Å), surface area (≥300 m2/g), and pore volume (1.20-3.00 cc/g), to optimize adsorption efficiency. These parameter optimizations enable effective odor removal at lower energy input compared to conventional evaporation methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional adsorbents are used for deodorization, then odor removal is achieved, but adsorption efficiency and odor intensity reduction are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveodor intensityVSAvoidadsorption efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent specifies a porous adsorbent material with optimized pore size (50-200 Å) and high pore volume (1.20-3.00 cc/g), which provides enhanced adsorption capacity and efficiency compared to conventional adsorbents. The mesoporous structure allows effective capture of odor-causing molecules while maintaining high throughput.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes critical parameters of the adsorbent including pore size (50-200 Å), BET surface area (at least 300 m2/g), and pore volume (1.20-3.00 cc/g), achieving superior adsorption efficiency and odor intensity reduction of at least 1 unit on the odor intensity scale compared to conventional adsorbents.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If tall oil rosin is used as feedstock, then renewable resource utilization is improved, but sulfur content and unpleasant odor increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverenewable resource utilizationVSAvoidsulfur content
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a porous adsorbent with high surface area (≥300 m2/g) and optimized pore structure to selectively adsorb sulfur-containing compounds from tall oil rosin ester. This enables effective removal of harmful sulfur components while preserving the renewable resource value of the tall oil-based product.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and removes sulfur-containing odor-causing components from tall oil rosin ester through adsorption on the porous material. This separation process eliminates the harmful sulfur content while maintaining the renewable resource benefits of the tall oil-based feedstock.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 process effectively reduces the odor intensity of rosin ester compositions by at least 1 unit on the odor intensity scale and improves color stability, resulting in a product suitable for various applications including adhesives, inks, and coatings.

Implementation Method 1

The adsorbent material comprises silica adsorbent having an average pore size between 50-200 Å, BET surface area of at least 300 m2/g, pore volume of 1.20 to 3.00 cc/g, and a silanol [Si—OH] level of 0.5 to 5 unit/nm2

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentUS11279849B2Deodorized rosin ester and methods for making
Publication Date: 2022.03.22 KRATON POLYMERS LLC

AI summary

A process for deodorizing a rosin ester composition is disclosed. The process employs an adsorptive bed containing an adsorbent material. The adsorbent material comprises silica adsorbent having an average pore size between 50-200 Å, BET surface area of at least 300 m2/g, pore volume of 1.20 to 3.00 cc/g, and a silanol [Si—OH] level of 0.5 to 5 unit/nm2. The deodorized rosin ester composition has an odor intensity reduction of at least 1 unit on odor intensity scale of Offensive Odor Control Act as compared to the rosin ester feedstock. In embodiment, the deodorizing treatment comprises using multi-staged adsorbent system with an adsorbent column having multiple layers of different adsorbent materials.