Fine-celled foam composition and method
AssigneeAgritec, Inc.
InventorsClyde W. Wellen, Douglas K. Stephens, Greg R. Wellen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Disclosed is a rigid fine-celled foam composition and a method of producing it. The foam composition is nontoxic, environmentally friendly, has improved absorption/adsorption and retention of liquids, is not as hard as prior art foams, does not include polymerization by-products detrimental to flower and plant life, and is a foamed mixture of a caustic silicate solution derived from the caustic digestion of rice hull ash having diffused activated carbon particles from thermal pyrolysis of rice hulls rather than from commercial sodium silicate solutions. Valuable by-products of commodity grade are obtained including activated carbon and sodium fluoride.
Claims11
A method of making a rigid celled foam composition having a majority of its cells of a size of from about 40 to about 60 microns comprising,
- foaming a mixture of components comprising (a) a caustic silicate solution derived from caustic digestion of rice hull ash from thermal pyrolysis of rice hulls and containing diffused activated carbon formed during the thermal pyrolysis, (b) a surface tension depressant, (c) a polymer forming agent, and (d) inert reinforcing fibers, and
- removing by-products including sodium fluoride and unreacted components from the rigid foam composition.
A rigid foam composition having a cell structure wherein a majority of cells of the cell structure have a size of from 40 to 60 microns, comprising,
- (a) silicon dioxide derived from rice hull ash and containing diffused activated carbon particles from thermal pyrolysis of rice hulls, the activated carbon particles being of a size not disruptive of the cells of the rigid foam composition, (b) reinforcing cellulose fibers, (c) hydrate and (d) less than 3.00 ppm sodium fluoride by-product, and wherein the foam composition has
- a dry density from 5.0 pounds to 6.0 pounds by weight per cubic foot,
- and a sufficient hardness so that cut flowers can be inserted into the foam composition without damage to their stems.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.