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).

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.

The present invention relates to a solidification process of the natural rubber latex by means of polyquaternary polymers. The process of the present invention has the advantage to not require the addition of acids and/or salts, with an evident saving in terms of cost for the reagents. Furthermore, in such a way neither the neutralization step of the rubber nor the treatment of the processing water before their disposal are required. The process of the present invention is suitable both for the continuous and batchwise embodiment, with evident advantages as far as its industrial application is concerned.

The present invention relates to a solidification process of the natural rubber latex by means of polyquaternary polymers. The process of the present invention has the advantage to not require the addition of acids and/or salts, with an evident saving in terms of cost for the reagents. Furthermore, in such a way neither the neutralization step of the rubber nor the treatment of the processing water before their disposal are required. The process of the present invention is suitable both for the continuous and batchwise embodiment, with evident advantages as far as its industrial application is concerned.

A method for producing a synthetic polyisoprene latex, including a step of mixing a latex of synthetic polyisoprene (A) synthesized by use of a Ziegler type catalyst and a latex of synthetic polyisoprene (B) synthesized by use of an organic alkali metal catalyst at a weight ratio of “synthetic polyisoprene (A): synthetic polyisoprene (B)=10:90 to 90:10”. In the method, preferably, the weight average molecular weight of the synthetic polyisoprene (A) is 100,000 to 3,000,000 and the weight average molecular weight of the synthetic polyisoprene (B) is 1,000,000 to 5,000,000.

A method for producing a synthetic polyisoprene latex, including a step of mixing a latex of synthetic polyisoprene (A) synthesized by use of a Ziegler type catalyst and a latex of synthetic polyisoprene (B) synthesized by use of an organic alkali metal catalyst at a weight ratio of “synthetic polyisoprene (A): synthetic polyisoprene (B)=10:90 to 90:10”. In the method, preferably, the weight average molecular weight of the synthetic polyisoprene (A) is 100,000 to 3,000,000 and the weight average molecular weight of the synthetic polyisoprene (B) is 1,000,000 to 5,000,000.

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.