US 2014/0213696 A1Published application

Process for preparing guayule natural rubber

AssigneeYulex Corporation

InventorsJeff Martin, James Mitchell, Ray McCoy, Sebastian S. Plamthottam

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Abstract

Embodiments of the invention provide a method of processing natural rubber latex using an extruder including a plurality of process zones by processing coagulant with latex to produce a coagulum and serum. In some embodiments, the coagulant can include an acid, a metal salt, or a mixture of both. Some embodiments can include a coagulum wash stage, and a deresination step. In some embodiments, the extruder can be operated to move coagulum through the extruder to remove at least some fraction of water to form a substantially dewatered coagulum, and a drying step to form a dried coagulum. In some embodiments, a stabilizer such as an antioxidant can be introduced into the extruder, and processed to remain in some fraction in the dried coagulum. Some alternative embodiments include a latex processing method of providing a flow of coagulant, and combining latex with the flowing using an emulsion dispensing bar.

A latex processing method comprising:

providing a guayule latex comprising a resin contaminant;
providing at least one coagulant capable of at least partially coagulating the guayule latex;
providing an extruder including a first end and a second end, and at least one screw,
the extruder comprising a plurality of process zones positioned between the first end and second end,
the plurality of process zones including at least one mixing zone and at least one coagulation zone positioned between the first end and the second end;
and
combining at least some fraction of the guayule latex with at least some fraction of the at least one coagulant within at least one of the plurality of process zones;
wherein the at least one of the plurality of process zones is configured and arranged to at least partially coagulate at least some fraction of the guayule latex to form a mixture of coagulum and a serum;
and
performing a wash step comprising introducing water to at least one of the plurality of process zones to at least partially contact the coagulum;
operating the extruder to at least partially mix the water and the coagulum;
and
operating the extruder to remove the water from the coagulum;
providing at least one solvent capable of at least partially dissolving at least some fraction of the coagulum;
introducing the at least one solvent into at least one of the plurality of process zones;
operating the extruder to mix at least some fraction of the at least one solvent with at least some fraction of the coagulum within at least one of the plurality of process zones to produce at least some deresinated coagulum by solvating at least some resin contaminant;
operating the extruder to move at least some fraction of the coagulum from the first end towards the second end and remove at least some fraction of water from the coagulum to form a substantially dewatered coagulum;
and
operating the extruder to move at least some fraction of the coagulum into at least one of the plurality of process zones to create substantially dried coagulum.

16 more elements

Abstract

Claims29