Methods of modifying agricultural co-products
AssigneeBattelle Memorial Institute
InventorsRamanathan S. Lalgudi, Barry L. McGraw, Robert J. Cain
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In a method of producing a polymer composite, a polymer is provided in a liquid state such as a molten state. A plant material, such as soymeal, is provided that includes protein and carbohydrate. The plant material has a particle size less than 50 microns. A reactive protein denaturant is also provided. A dispersion of the plant material and the reactive protein denaturant is formed in a matrix of the liquid polymer. The plant material is reacted to bond with the reactive protein denaturant, and the reactive protein denaturant is reacted to bond with the polymer. The polymer is solidified to produce the polymer composite.
Claims20
A reactive extrusion and molding method of producing a polymer composite in the form of a solid molded article, the method comprising:
- providing a polymer in a liquid state;
- providing a plant material that includes protein and carbohydrate, the plant material having a particle size less than 20 microns, and the plant material having a protein content less than 35%;
- providing a reactive protein denaturant;
- in a single-step extrusion process in extrusion equipment, forming a dispersion of the plant material and the reactive protein denaturant in a matrix of the liquid polymer, reacting to chemically bond the plant material to the reactive protein denaturant, and reacting to chemically bond the reactive protein denaturant to the polymer, to produce an extruded polymer composite, wherein the extrusion process is conducted at a temperature not higher than 360° F.;
- collecting the polymer composite from the extruder, and obtaining the polymer composite in solid form;
- and
- molding the polymer composite in molding equipment to produce a solid molded article having a desired shape.
A reactive extrusion method of producing a polymer composite, the method comprising:
- providing a polymer in a liquid state;
- providing a plant material that includes protein and carbohydrate, the plant material having a particle size less than 20 microns, and the plant material having a protein content less than 35%;
- providing a reactive protein denaturant;
- in a single-step extrusion process in extrusion equipment, forming a dispersion of the plant material and the reactive protein denaturant in a matrix of the liquid polymer, reacting to chemically bond the plant material to the reactive protein denaturant, and reacting to chemically bond the reactive protein denaturant to the polymer, to produce an extruded polymer composite, wherein the extrusion process is conducted at a temperature not higher than 360° F.;
- and
- collecting the polymer composite from the extruder, and obtaining the polymer composite in solid form.
A reactive extrusion method of producing a polymer composite, the method comprising:
- providing a polymer in a liquid state;
- providing a plant material that includes protein and carbohydrate, the plant material having a particle size less than 20 microns, and the plant material having a protein content less than 35%;
- providing a reactive protein denaturant;
- in a single-step extrusion process in extrusion equipment, forming a dispersion of the plant material, the reactive protein denaturant and a radical initiator in a matrix of the liquid polymer, reacting to chemically bond the plant material to the reactive protein denaturant, and reacting to chemically bond the reactive protein denaturant to the polymer, the radical initiator promoting the reaction of the denaturant with the polymer, to produce an extruded polymer composite, wherein the extrusion process is conducted at a temperature not higher than 360° F.;
- and
- collecting the polymer composite from the extruder, and obtaining the polymer composite in solid form.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.