Cellulose fiber-based compositions and their method of manufacture
View Patent ↗The present invention comprises an improved method for refining cellulose that produces a highly refined cellulosic material. The method comprises soaking raw material in a mild NaOH using reduced temperatures and pressures, and refining the material with a plate refiner so that a waste water stream is reduced in volume and has a pH within a range of 8 to 9. The present invention also comprises a HRC gel having a lignin concentration of at least about one (1)% by weight, and a water retention capacity of about 25 to at least about 56 g H 2 O/g dry HRC.
1. A highly refined cellulose (HRC) having a lignin concentration of at least 1% by weight and a water retention capacity of at least about 20 g H 2 O/g dry HRC.
2. The HRC of claim 1 wherein the HRC has an oil retention capacity of at least about 10 g/g dry HRC.
3. The HRC of claim 1 wherein the HRC is dehydrated or a dispersion.
4. A composition comprising the HRC of claim 1 .
5. The HRC of claim 1 wherein the HRC has a Langmuir surface area of at least about 7 m 2 /g.
6. The HRC of claim 1 wherein the HRC has an average pore diameter of at least about 5 angstroms.
7. A composition comprising an HRC and a food, wherein the HRC has a lignin concentration of at least 1% by weight and a water retention capacity of at least about 20 g H 2 O/g dry HRC.
8. The composition of claim 7 wherein the HRC is dehydrated or a dispersion.
9. The composition of claim 7 wherein the HRC has an oil retention capacity of at least about 10 g/g dry HRC.
10. The composition of claim 7 wherein the HRC has an average pore diameter of at least about 5 angstroms.
11. The composition of claim 7 wherein the HRC has a Langmuir surface area of at least about 7 m 2 /g.
12. A highly refined cellulose (HRC) having a lignin concentration of at least 1% by weight, a water retention capacity of at least about 20 g H 2 O/g dry HRC, and an oil retention capacity of at least about 10 g/g dry HRC.
13. A composition comprising a highly refined cellulose (HRC) having a lignin concentration of at least 1% by weight and a water retention capacity of at least about 20 g H 2 O/g dry HRC.
14. A highly refined cellulose (HRC) having a lignin concentration of at least 1% by weight, a water retention capacity of at least about 20 gH 2 O/g dry HRC, and a Langmuir surface area of at least about 7 m 2 /g.
15. A composition comprising an HRC and a food, wherein the HRC has a lignin concentration of at least 1% by weight, a water retention capacity of at least about 20 g H 2 O/g dry HRC, and an average pore diameter of at least about 5 angstroms.
16. A composition comprising an HRC and a food, wherein the HRC has a lignin concentration of at least 1% by weight, a water retention capacity of at least about 20 g H 2 O/g dry HRC, and a Langmuir surface area of at least about 7 m 2 /g.
17. A highly refined cellulose (HRC) having a lignin concentration of at least 1% by weight, a water retention capacity of at least about 20 g H 2 O/g dry HRC, and an average pore diameter of at least about 5 angstroms.