Manufacturing feedstock from fruit by-product processing
A system and method of manufacturing a feedstock for producing paper fiber from fruit of a plant may include providing a by-product source inclusive of fiber from the edible fruit after a process for removing a majority of the edible fruit is used to produce a food. One or more treatment processes to brighten the fruit by-product may be performed. The feedstock may be produced from the brightened fruit by-product.
1. A method of manufacturing a feedstock from edible fruit by-product, said method comprising:
providing a by-product source inclusive of pulp with fiber from the edible fruit after a process for removing a majority of the edible fruit is used to produce a food;
performing one or more treatment processes to brighten the pulp; and
producing the feedstock from the brightened pulp.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein providing the by-product source includes providing citrus by-product.
3. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the citrus by-product is selected from the group consisting of albedo, pulp, and endocarp.
4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein providing the by-product source includes providing a by-product source selected from the group consisting of pellets for animal feed and fresh-never dried fruit by-product.
5. The method according to claim 4 , wherein the pellets are selected from the group consisting of dried pellets and partially dried pellets.
6. The method according to claim 4 , further comprising removing binding material from the pellets.
7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein performing the one or more treatment processes to brighten the pulp includes one or more treatments of washing or bleaching.
8. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising washing the by-product source at a temperature between about 40° C. to about 70° C.
9. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising dewatering the brightened pulp.
10. The method according to claim 1 , wherein producing the feedstock includes partially drying the brightened pulp.
11. The method according to claim 10 , wherein partially drying the brightened pulp includes compressing the brightened pulp without a binding agent.
12. The method according to claim 1 , wherein producing the feedstock includes producing the feedstock with a water content between approximately 40% and approximately 60% water weight.