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.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention include a process for separating rubber, resin and bagasse from at least a portion of a rubber producing plant including the steps of providing a plant portion and at least partially homogenizing the plant portion in the presence of a resin-solubilizing medium, and extracting rubber using a rubber solubilizing solvent. In some embodiments, the plant portion can include an antioxidant, that in some embodiments, the includes a substantially non-staining antioxidant. Some other embodiments include a process for separating rubber, resin and bagasse from a rubber producing plant comprising the steps of providing a plant portion and applying at least one antioxidant to at least a fraction of the plant portion, milling the plant portion with a milling solvent, and separating rubber form resin using phase separation fractionation. Some embodiments include separation of bagasse and resin components and one or more solvent recovery steps.

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.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a formula and process for making elastomeric rubber thin film articles. In particular, the formula and process is a system which produces non-Hevea or Guayule natural rubber latex (GNRL) thin film articles which have a thickness of 30-80 microns (0.03-0.08 mm), and preferably less than 40 microns (0.04 mm). These thin film articles exhibit physical strength properties similar to that of Hevea brazilensis natural rubber latex (NRL). More specifically, the disclosed thin rubber thin film articles exhibit unaged tensile strength of at least 24 MPa (about 3500 psi) and aged tensile strength of at least 19 MPa (about 2800 psi).

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for the extraction of high molecular weight biopolymers from plants. Specifically, invention described herein relates to the commercial processing of plant material, including that from desert plants native to the southwestern United States and Mexico, such as the guayule plant (Parthenium argentatum), for the extraction of biopolymers, including natural rubbers. More specifically, the invention relates to laboratory to commercial scale extraction of high molecular weight biopolymers from plant materials including the chemical and mechanical processing of the plants and purification of the extracted biopolymer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for the extraction of high molecular weight biopolymers from plants. Specifically, invention described herein relates to the commercial processing of plant material, including that from desert plants native to the southwestern United States and Mexico, such as the guayule plant (Parthenium argentatum), for the extraction of biopolymers, including natural rubbers. More specifically, the invention relates to laboratory to commercial scale extraction of high molecular weight biopolymers from plant materials including the chemical and mechanical processing of the plants and purification of the extracted biopolymer.

Abstract: A method for the extraction, separation, fractionation and purification of biopolymers from plant materials using supercritical and/or subcritical solvent extractions is disclosed. Specifically, the process can be used for the separation of resins and rubber from guayule shrub (Parthenium argentatum), and other rubber and/or resin containing plant materials, using supercritical solvent extraction, for example supercritical carbon dioxide extraction. Additionally, polar and/or non-polar co-solvents can be used with supercritical carbon dioxide to enhance the selective extraction of resins and rubbers from the shrub.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a method of rapid expanded solvent extraction of biopolymers, such as rubber, from plant materials, such as guayule, using an expanded hexane solvent. As is illustrated herein, the use of the expanded hexane solvent results in a markedly more efficient and rapid extraction process over other supercritical carbon dioxide extraction systems, including those systems using a hexane cosolvent.

Abstract: A method for the extraction, separation, fractionation and purification of biopolymers from plant materials using supercritical and/or subcritical solvent extractions is disclosed. Specifically, the process can be used for the separation of resins and rubber from guayule shrub (Parthenium argentatum), and other rubber and/or resin containing plant materials, using supercritical solvent extraction, for example supercritical carbon dioxide extraction. Additionally, polar and/or non-polar co-solvents can be used with supercritical carbon dioxide to enhance the selective extraction of resins and rubbers from the shrub.