Vegetable Oil Coated Polystyrene Binders

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing binders and builders face challenges in handling and application, particularly in absorbing and retaining petroleum, and they often require plasticizers that reduce adhesion properties and have limitations in environmental sustainability.

Innovation Solution

A process involving comminuted polystyrene or modified polystyrene foam coated with vegetable oils or derivatives, which enhances the foam's ability to absorb and retain petroleum, forming stable spherical structures with improved adhesion and handling properties, and can be used in various applications including adhesives and sealing compounds.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional binders and builders are used, then they can provide basic binding functionality, but they face challenges in handling and application, particularly in absorbing and retaining petroleum

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepetroleum absorption and retentionVSAvoidhandling and application
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining comminuted polystyrene foam with vegetable oil coatings to create a modified binder that simultaneously improves petroleum absorption capabilities and handling properties. The composite structure allows the foam particles to retain petroleum while the vegetable oil coating enhances adhesion and workability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter changes by modifying the physical and chemical properties of polystyrene foam through vegetable oil coating. This changes the surface properties and absorption characteristics of the foam, enabling it to effectively absorb and retain petroleum while improving handling characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If plasticizers are added to improve handling properties, then ease of operation is improved, but adhesion properties are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandling propertiesVSAvoidadhesion properties
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses vegetable oil as an intermediary substance that coats the polystyrene foam particles. This intermediary layer improves handling properties and adhesion simultaneously, eliminating the need for traditional plasticizers that would compromise adhesion strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional materials are used, then basic functionality is provided, but environmental sustainability is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental sustainabilityVSAvoidrenewable material usage
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material composition parameters by using vegetable oils and their derivatives as coating substances instead of conventional petroleum-based additives. This parameter change enhances environmental sustainability while maintaining or improving functional performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs biodegradable polystyrene foam particles coated with vegetable oils, which can be disposed of environmentally friendly after use. The materials are designed to decompose naturally, reducing long-term environmental impact compared to conventional synthetic binders.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 modified binder or builder exhibits improved formability, increased strength, reduced moisture absorption, and enhanced durability, with the ability to form stable spherical structures that maintain petroleum absorption under pressure, and offers environmental benefits through the use of renewable materials.

Implementation Method 1

The vegetable oil wets the surface of the machined polystyrene foam particles and improves their properties considerably. The binder thus obtained shows an exceptional affinity for other oil of any kind, and therefore has been proposed as an agent for binding oil after accidents on water or land, for purifying water, for cleaning containers or for catching leaking oil. The additional oil is absorbed by the polystyrene rigid foam modified by the vegetable oil coating as if by a blotter.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

The vegetable oil wets the surface of the machined polystyrene foam particles and improves their properties considerably. Due to the coating of the polystyrene rigid foam with the vegetable oil, the binder was surprisingly easier to handle in the form of a significantly higher bulk density and significantly improved pourability.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWetting: Wetting

Data Source

PatentEP2029690B1Method for preparing binding agents and builders modified with vegetable oils and vegetable oil derivatives and use of the prepared modified binders and builders.
Publication Date: 2013.09.25 WEIRICH HARALD
  • EP2029690B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP2029690B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP2029690B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a binding agent or detergent builder based on a plastic, such as polystyrene, in the form of a homopolymer, copolymer or inorganic polymer, which can be obtained for use as an adsorption compound from the comminuted plastic or inorganic polymer and at least one vegetable oil, vegetable oil constituent or vegetable oil derivative. To produce the binding agent or detergent builder, the plastic or inorganic polymer is left to react in chip form or as a fine dispersion with the vegetable oil, vegetable oil constituent or vegetable oil derivative and the modified plastic or polymer is then reacted with the same oil or another vegetable oil, vegetable oil constituent or vegetable oil derivative. The binding agent or detergent builder can be used as an adhesive or sealant, an additive in construction materials, to produce an essentially uniform granulate with a high flowability and bulk density, or as a constituent of detergents or cleaning agents and as an initial or intermediate product for cosmetics and skin care products.