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.

A guayule rubber processing system and method involves mixing a guayule rubber and at least one solvent blend in an extruder, in order to remove resin found in the guayule miscella and to precipitate the guayule miscella to form a precipitate. The at least one solvent blend has a first solvent configured to precipitate the guayule rubber, and a second solvent configured to swell the resulting precipitate. In particular, a series of the solvent blends may be used at different locations along a length of the extruder and may further include distinct blends of the first solvent and the second solvent, introduced at the different locations, and having different ratios of the first solvent and the second solvent.

Systems and methods for managing the waste associated with the extraction of rubber from guayule shrubs are provided. Also provided is a portable local sub-station for reducing the transportation costs associated with the processing of guayule shrubs for the extraction of rubber. Use of the disclosed systems, methods and/or local sub-station can reduce transportation costs, reduce processing costs and reduce the downstream processing complexity associated with the extraction of rubber from guayule shrubs.

Systems and methods for managing the waste associated with the extraction of rubber from guayule shrubs are provided. Also provided is a portable local sub-station for reducing the transportation costs associated with the processing of guayule shrubs for the extraction of rubber. Use of the disclosed systems, methods and/or local sub-station can reduce transportation costs, reduce processing costs and reduce the downstream processing complexity associated with the extraction of rubber from guayule shrubs.

A water-containing substance detection device that detects a water-containing rubbery polymer, includes a conveyor configured to convey rubbery polymers; and a detector configured to detect the water-containing rubbery polymer among the rubbery polymers, conveyed by the conveyor, by a temperature sensor. The conveyor has a surface with an emissivity of 0.50 or more. The temperature sensor has a frame rate falling within a range of 5 Hz to 120 Hz. The detector detects the water-containing rubbery polymer, near an ejection port of the conveyor, and on a downstream side of the ejection port.

A water-containing substance detection device that detects a water-containing rubbery polymer, includes a conveyor configured to convey rubbery polymers; and a detector configured to detect the water-containing rubbery polymer among the rubbery polymers, conveyed by the conveyor, by a temperature sensor. The conveyor has a surface with an emissivity of 0.50 or more. The temperature sensor has a frame rate falling within a range of 5 Hz to 120 Hz. The detector detects the water-containing rubbery polymer, near an ejection port of the conveyor, and on a downstream side of the ejection port.

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.

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).