Tar Extract from Cigarette Butts via Microwave Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Discarded cigarette butts contribute significantly to environmental pollution and existing methods do not effectively extract tar with aroma characteristics from these waste materials for reuse in cigarette production.
Innovation Solution
A method involving microwave-assisted extraction followed by silica gel column chromatography is used to obtain a tar extract from discarded cigarette butts, which is then applied to cigarettes to enhance aroma and sensory quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If discarded cigarette butts are used as raw material for tar extraction, then environmental pollution is reduced and aromatic components are recovered, but harmful substances such as nicotine and amines are also present in the extract
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies extraction principles by using silica gel column chromatography to separate and remove harmful substances (nicotine, amines, aldehydes) from the tar extract while retaining aromatic components. The silica gel acts as a stationary phase that selectively adsorbs harmful substances, allowing the aromatic tar components to pass through or be eluted separately, thus resolving the contradiction between pollution reduction and harmful substance removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical and physical parameters of the extraction process by adjusting solvent systems, column chromatography conditions, and extraction temperatures to selectively isolate aromatic components from harmful substances. By optimizing these parameters, the process achieves separation based on the different chemical properties of aromatic compounds versus harmful substances like nicotine and amines.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional extraction methods are used on cigarette butts, then the process is simple, but the extraction efficiency and purity of aromatic components are low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical extraction methods with microwave-assisted extraction, which uses electromagnetic energy to heat and disrupt the cigarette butt matrix, significantly enhancing the extraction efficiency of tar components. This substitution of mechanical energy with electromagnetic energy allows for faster and more complete extraction while maintaining process simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite approach by combining microwave-assisted extraction with silica gel column chromatography purification. This multi-step composite process integrates the advantages of rapid extraction with selective purification, achieving both high extraction efficiency and high purity of aromatic components while keeping the overall process relatively simple.
3Manufacturing precision
If tar extract containing harmful substances is added to cigarettes, then aromatic quality is enhanced, but consumer health safety deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful tar mixture into a beneficial aromatic extract by using silica gel column chromatography to remove harmful substances while retaining and concentrating aromatic components. The silica gel selectively binds harmful substances like nicotine and amines, transforming the harmful tar extract into a safe aromatic additive that enhances cigarette quality without compromising consumer health.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality principles by creating a purified tar extract with specific aromatic properties through selective removal of harmful substances. The silica gel column chromatography process creates a localized purification effect where only harmful substances are removed while aromatic components are preserved, resulting in a extract with enhanced aromatic quality and improved safety profile for cigarette application.
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 method effectively removes harmful substances, retains aroma characteristics, and improves the smoke, aroma, and taste of low-end cigarettes, while providing a sustainable solution to cigarette butt pollution by utilizing a widely available raw material.
Implementation Method 1
adding the discarded cigarette butt to an extraction solvent, and carrying out microwave-assisted extraction to obtain an extraction solution
Implementation Method 2
carrying out silica gel column chromatography on the supernatant, carrying out elution by using a mixed solution of petroleum ether and ethyl acetate as a mobile phase
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a method for preparing a tar extract from a discarded cigarette butt and use of the tar extract in a cigarette. The method includes the following steps: (1) adding the discarded cigarette butt to an extraction solvent, and carrying out microwave-assisted extraction to obtain an extraction solution; and (2) centrifuging the extraction solution, carrying out silica gel column chromatography on the supernatant, carrying out elution by using a mixed solution of petroleum ether and ethyl acetate as a mobile phase, and collecting the resulting elution fraction to obtain the tar extract. In the present disclosure, the tar is extracted from the discarded cigarette butt as a raw material. Through the microwave-assisted extraction and separation by the silica gel column chromatography, harmful substances in the tar of the cigarette butt are removed, and the components with aroma characteristics are retained, and the tar extract is applied to a low-end cigarette to improve the aroma, smoke and taste characteristics of the low-end cigarette and also improve the sensory quality of the low-end cigarette, thereby increasing the use proportion of inferior tobacco leaves in the cigarette or widening the use ways of the inferior tobacco leaves, and providing ideas and technical support for reducing the inventory pressure of the inferior tobacco leaves.