Provided herein is a fractionator and related process for separating solubilized rubber from a co-solvent based miscella.

Provided herein is a fractionator and related process for separating solubilized rubber from a co-solvent based miscella.

A method of separating a polyisoolefin elastomer from non-polymeric components in an organic solvent involves ultrafiltration of a solution of the polyisoolefin elastomer and non-polymeric components in an organic solvent through a semipermeable membrane to substantially retain the polyisoolefin elastomer in a retentate and provide the non-polymeric components in a permeate. Advantageously, stabilizers for the polyisoolefin elastomer are retained in the retentate along with the polyisoolefin elastomer, permeate flux through the membrane is higher as concentration of the polyisoolefin elastomer in the solution increases up to a concentration limit, the separated polyisoolefin elastomer in the retentate has a molecular weight that can be substantially unchanged even when ultrafiltration is conducted at elevated temperature and the amount of polyisoolefin elastomer in the permeate is unmeasurable providing an oligomer-rich permeate uncontaminated by polyisoolefin elastomer.

A method of separating a polyisoolefin elastomer from non-polymeric components in an organic solvent involves ultrafiltration of a solution of the polyisoolefin elastomer and non-polymeric components in an organic solvent through a semipermeable membrane to substantially retain the polyisoolefin elastomer in a retentate and provide the non-polymeric components in a permeate. Advantageously, stabilizers for the polyisoolefin elastomer are retained in the retentate along with the polyisoolefin elastomer, permeate flux through the membrane is higher as concentration of the polyisoolefin elastomer in the solution increases up to a concentration limit, the separated polyisoolefin elastomer in the retentate has a molecular weight that can be substantially unchanged even when ultrafiltration is conducted at elevated temperature and the amount of polyisoolefin elastomer in the permeate is unmeasurable providing an oligomer-rich permeate uncontaminated by polyisoolefin elastomer.

Provided herein are organic solvent-based processes for the removal of rubber from non-Hevea plants such as guayule shrubs. By the use of the processes, solid purified rubber can be obtained that contains 0.05-0.5 weight % dirt, 0.2-1.5 weight % ash, and 0.1-4 weight % resin (when it has been dried so as to contain 0.8 weight % volatile matter).

Provided herein are organic solvent-based processes for the removal of rubber from non-Hevea plants such as guayule shrubs. By the use of the processes, solid purified rubber can be obtained that contains 0.05-0.5 weight % dirt, 0.2-1.5 weight % ash, and 0.1-4 weight % resin (when it has been dried so as to contain 0.8 weight % volatile matter).

Provided herein are organic solvent-based processes for the removal of rubber from aged briquettes made from compressed plant matter (briquettes) of non-Hevea plants.

Provided herein are organic solvent-based processes for the removal of rubber from aged briquettes made from compressed plant matter (briquettes) of non-Hevea plants.

An extractor suitable for using a solvent to separate a compound from a solid or semisolid substance containing the compound. The extractor includes a conveying assembly having an inclined conveyor for receiving the substance from a substance inlet and moving the substance through the solvent, an inclined upper surface associated with the first conveyor and an inclined lower surface associated with the first conveyor. The conveyor is configured to move the substance downward through the solvent along the upper surface toward a lower end of the conveyor and upward through the solvent along the lower surface toward an upper end of the conveyor.

An extractor suitable for using a solvent to separate a compound from a solid or semisolid substance containing the compound. The extractor includes a conveying assembly having an inclined conveyor for receiving the substance from a substance inlet and moving the substance through the solvent, an inclined upper surface associated with the first conveyor and an inclined lower surface associated with the first conveyor. The conveyor is configured to move the substance downward through the solvent along the upper surface toward a lower end of the conveyor and upward through the solvent along the lower surface toward an upper end of the conveyor.