Semi-solid biodegradable refrigerant gel
A semi-solid biodegradable refrigerant gel and methods of making same are disclosed. The semi-solid biodegradable refrigerant gel includes water, a biodegradable thickening agent, a crosslinking agent, an optional secondary crosslinking agent, and a chelating agent. The semi-solid biodegradable refrigerant gel does not require encasement in a high-barrier containment material.
1 . A semi-solid biodegradable refrigerant gel comprising:
water;
sodium carboxymethyl cellulose;
aluminum sulfate;
sodium aluminum sulfate;
sodium benzoate;
potassium sorbate;
citric acid; and
sodium carbonate.
2 . The semi-solid biodegradable refrigerant gel according to claim 1 , wherein the gel is encapsulated in a paper material consisting of over 85% fiber content by weight.
3 . The semi-solid biodegradable refrigerant gel according to claim 1 , wherein the semi-solid biodegradable refrigerant gel includes:
about 0.86% sodium carboxymethyl cellulose by weight relative to the water;
about 0.019% aluminum sulfate by weight relative to the water;
about 0.064% sodium aluminum sulfate by weight relative to the water;
about 0.139% sodium benzoate by weight relative to the water;
about 0.034% potassium sorbate by weight relative to the water;
about 0.024% citric acid by weight relative to the water; and
about 0.014% sodium carbonate by weight relative to the water.
4 . The semi-solid biodegradable refrigerant gel according to claim 1 , wherein the gel does not flow or leak.
5 . The semi-solid biodegradable refrigerant gel according to claim 1 , wherein the gel retains the shape of a container where the gel solidified.
6 . The semi-solid biodegradable refrigerant gel according to claim 1 , wherein the gel has a Latent Heat of Fusion >275 J/g and a eutectic point of about 0° Celsius.
7 . The semi-solid biodegradable refrigerant gel according to claim 1 , wherein the sodium aluminum sulfate has a different dissolution rate than the aluminum sulfate and is used in concert with the aluminum sulfate to achieve a specific pot-life.
8 . The semi-solid biodegradable refrigerant gel of claim 1 , wherein the gel has a pH above 4.0.
9 . The semi-solid biodegradable refrigerant gel of claim 1 , wherein the gel is utilized in a refrigerant pack.
10 . A method of making a semi-solid biodegradable refrigerant gel comprising:
providing a chamber and a disperser proximate to the chamber;
depositing a predetermined amount of water into the chamber;
adding a blend of raw materials to the water via the disperser, wherein the blend of raw materials comprises:
sodium carboxymethyl cellulose;
aluminum sulfate;
sodium aluminum sulfate;
sodium benzoate;
potassium sorbate;
citric acid; and
sodium carbonate;
mixing the blend of raw materials with the water to create a viscous liquid gel;
filling containers or molds with the viscous liquid gel or encapsulating the viscous liquid gel in an encapsulation material; and
allowing the viscous liquid gel to set in the containers or molds or encapsulation material to form the semi-solid gel.
11 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising freezing the gel to create a cold pack.
12 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the encapsulation material includes a low-barrier containment material.
13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the low-barrier containment material is rollstock material and is converted into a pouch or bag during a filling process by sealed seams.
14 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the low-barrier containment material is a paper material consisting of over 85% fiber content by weight.