TECHNICAL FIELD

[01] The present disclosure relates to a material composition acquired from compounding a mixture of agricultural waste in order to develop a valuable and sustainable material, and method of preparation thereof.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

[02] Nowadays, high emphasis is placed on the importance and need of an efficient waste management system. This is because many improvements in technology and recycling schemes are often not sufficient to counter growing waste production. Agricultural waste, biological waste, municipal sewage sludge, municipal solid waste, radioactive waste, hazardous waste, and shredder residue are amongst the main types of waste being produced. Agricultural waste is the waste produced as a result of various agricultural operations and could include anything from manure, crop residues, weeds, leaf litter, sawdust, livestock waste, pesticides, to fertilizer run- off from fields.

[03] A recent trend in agricultural waste management is the renewed interest in conversion of agricultural waste into sustainable and value-added products. For instance, the Chinese patent application CN103205133B discloses a functional floor tile produced by using PVC waste and agricultural waste, wherein the agricultural waste composition includes components such as wheat-straw, cotton stalks, bagasse, chitin extracted from the shell of natural animals like crab or shrimp, chitosan viscose fiber, stabilizer, lubricant, and plasticizing agent.

[04] Moreover, the Chinese patent application CN104671860 discloses a bio-organic fertilizer composition using agricultural waste as raw materials, which includes the following components in parts by weight: 40-50 parts of excrements of livestock, 30-40 parts of biogas manure, 5-10 parts of mushroom residues, 5-10 parts of dregs, 3-5 parts of foots and 1-2 parts of fermentation strains. SUMMARY

[05] The applications of the state-of-the-art compositions are limited. Therefore, it is an object of the present disclosure to provide a material composition that is based on agricultural waste, and a method of preparation thereof.

[06] Aspects of the present disclosure provide a material composition that is based on agricultural waste, the composition includes plant fibers, at least one anti-mold agent, at least one anti-bacterial agent, and water.

[07] In some aspects of the present disclosure, the material composition may further include olive mill waste.

[08] In some aspects, the material composition may further include at one or more binding agents.

[09] In some aspects of the present disclosure, the olive mill waste may be in powder or solid form.

[010] In aspect of the present disclosure, the plant fibers may be selected from a group including palm leaves, straw, wood, paper, fabric, hay, or a combination thereof, or any other suitable plant fiber.

[Oil] In aspects of the present disclosure, the plant fibers may be shredded and/or powdered.

[012] In some aspects of the present disclosure, the one or more binding agents may be selected from a group including natural resin, epoxy resin, cement, cementitious material, gelatin, bioplastic, sealer, or a combination thereof, or any other suitable binding agent.

[013] In aspects of the present disclosure, the at least one anti-mold agent may be sodium benzoate or any other suitable anti-mold agent.

[014] In aspects of the present disclosure, the material composition may include from about 10% to about 85% by weight plant fibers. [015] In some aspects of the present disclosure, the material composition may include from about 10% to about 15% by weight olive mill waste.

[016] In some aspects of the present disclosure, the material composition may include from about 15% to about 50% by weight one or more binding agents.

[017] In aspects of the present disclosure, the material composition may include from about 0% to about 50% by weight at least one anti-mold agent.

[018] In aspects of the present disclosure, the material composition may include from about 0% to about 50% weight at least one anti-bacterial agent.

[019] In aspects of the present disclosure, the material composition may include from about 40% to about 47% by weight water.

[020] In aspects of the present disclosure, the material composition may be utilized in insulation, packaging, furniture, panels, or other applications.

[021] In yet other aspects, there is provided a method for preparing the material composition of the present disclosure, wherein the method may include the steps of: providing a container of hot water; adding the one or more binding agent while stirring until complete dissolution in the container of hot water to form a first mixture; adding the at least one anti-mold agent and the at least anti-bacterial agent to the first mixture while stirring, followed by the olive mill waste while stirring to form a second homogenous mixture; adding the plant fibers to the second mixture to form a third mixture; and molding the third mixture in a mold having a desired shape, and leaving the third mixture to set in the mold, thus producing the material composition of the present disclosure in the shape of the mold. [022] In some aspects of the present disclosure, the method may further include the step of pressing the third mixture in the mold using a conventional pressing machine/device.

[023] In other aspects of the present disclosure, the method may further include passive drying of the third mixture in the mold.

[024] In yet other aspects, the method may further include active drying of the third mixture in the mold using any suitable dryer or dehydrator.

[025] In other aspects of the present disclosure, the method may further include treating the material composition to be fireproof and/or waterproof through secondary processes.

[026] In other aspects of the present disclosure, the method may further include cutting and/or treating the surface of the material composition as desired.

[027] Other aspects of the present disclosure provide a method for preparing the material composition of the present disclosure, wherein the method may include the steps of: providing a container of boiling water; adding the plant fibers to the container of boiling water to produce a fourth mixture; adding the at least one anti-mold agent and the at least one anti-bacterial agent to the fourth mixture to produce a fifth mixture; and allowing the plant fibers in the fifth mixture to be cooked or steamed in the container of boiling water while ensuring that water enclosed in the container is continuously boiling.

[028] In aspects of the present disclosure, cooking the plant fibers in the fifth mixture enables such fibers to be easily broken down or blended.

[029] In aspects of the present disclosure, the method may further include the step of adding state-of-the-art additives to the fifth mixture that would speed up and facilitate the process of breaking down the plant fibers in order for the fifth mixture to be moldable pulp.

[030] In aspects of the present disclosure, the method may further include the step of blending and straining the fifth mixture, followed by molding the fifth mixture in a mold of a desired shape to produce the material composition of the present disclosure in the shape of the mold.

[031] In some aspects of the present disclosure, the method may further include the step of pressing the fifth mixture in the mold using a conventional pressing machine/device.

[032] In other aspects of the present disclosure, the method may further include passive drying of the fifth mixture in the mold.

[033] In yet other aspects, the method may further include active drying of the fifth mixture in the mold using a suitable dryer or dehydrator.

[034] In aspects of the present disclosure, steaming the plant fibers in the fifth mixture may be done at ambient pressure.

[035] In yet other aspects, steaming the plant fibers in the fifth mixture may be done under pressure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[036] The present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure, without however limiting the scope of protection thereto, and in which:

[037] FIG. 1 illustrates a flowchart of a method of preparing a material composition based on agricultural waste, the method being configured in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. [038] FIG. 2 illustrates a flowchart of a method of preparing a material composition based on agricultural waste, the method being configured in accordance with other embodiments of the present disclosure.

[039] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a sofa made of a material composition based on agricultural waste in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

[040] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary package for a conventional mug, the exemplary package is being made of a material composition based on agricultural waste in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[041] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a material composition based on agricultural waste, the material composition may include plant fibers, at least one anti mold agent, and at least one anti-bacterial agent.

[042] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the material composition may further comprise olive mill waste.

[043] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the olive mill waste may be in powder or solid form.

[044] In some embodiments, the material composition may include at least one binding agent.

[045] In embodiments of the present disclosure, the material composition may further include water.

[046] In embodiments of the present disclosure, the material composition may further include other additives required to increase production efficiency and/or enhance properties of the material composition for different applications. [047] In embodiments of the present disclosure, the plant fibers may be selected from a group including palm leaves, straw, wood, paper, fabric, hay, or a combination thereof, or any other suitable plant fiber.

[048] In embodiments of the present disclosure, the plant fibers may be shredded and/or powdered.

[049] In embodiments of the present disclosure, the plant fibers are clean plant fibers.

[050] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the one or more binding agent may be selected from a group including natural resin, epoxy resin, cement, cementitious material, gelatin, bioplastic, sealer materials, or a combination thereof, or any other suitable binding agent.

[051] In embodiments of the present disclosure, the at least one anti-mold agent may be sodium benzoate or any other suitable anti-mold agent.

[052] In embodiments of the present disclosure, the plant fibers may act as a main structure, where the fibers interlock together improving the material composition’s mechanical properties and tensile strength while keeping it lightweight.

[053] In some embodiments, the olive mill waste adds density to the composition and may increase anti-bacterial properties. The one or more binding agents allows the composition to solidify after it dries.

[054] In embodiments of the present disclosure, the at least one anti-mold agent prevents the material composition from molding whilst it is drying, and the at least one anti bacterial agent prevents the material composition from growing bacteria whilst it is drying.

[055] In embodiments of the present disclosure, the material composition may include from about 10% to about 85% by weight plant fibers, in some embodiments from about 10% to about 15% by weight, and in other embodiments from 50% to about 85% by weight. [056] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the material composition may include from about 10% to about 15% by weight olive mill waste.

[057] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the material composition may include from about 15% to about 50% by weight the one or more binding agents.

[058] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the material composition may include up to about 50% by weight the at least one anti-mold agent, in some embodiments up to about 3% by weight, and in other embodiments from about 15% to about 50% by weight.

[059] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the material composition may include up to about 50% weight anti -bacterial agent, in some embodiments up to about 3% by weight, and in other embodiments from about 15% to about 50% by weight.

[060] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the material composition may include from about 40% to about 47% by weight water.

[061] In other embodiments of the present disclosure, the material composition may be utilized in insulation, packaging, furniture, panels, or other applications.

[062] Reference now is being made to FIG. 1 , which illustrates a flowchart of a method of preparing the material composition of the present disclosure according to embodiments of the present disclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the method may include the steps of: providing a container of hot water (process block 1-1); adding the one or more binding agent while stirring until complete dissolution in the container of hot water to form a first mixture (process block 1-2); adding the at least one anti-mold agent and the at least anti-bacterial agent to the first mixture while stirring, followed by the olive mill waste while stirring to form a second homogenous mixture (process block 1-3); adding the plant fibers to the second mixture to form a third mixture (process block 1-4); and molding the third mixture in a mold having a desired shape, and leaving the third mixture to set in the mold, thus producing the material composition of the present disclosure in the shape of the mold (process block 1-5).

[063] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the method may further include passive drying of the composition (process block 1-6).

[064] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the method may further include treating the composition to be fireproof and/or waterproof through secondary processes (process block 1-7).

[065] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the method may further include cutting and/or treating the surface of the composition as desired (process block 1-8).

[066] In some embodiments, the method may further include the step of painting, dying or bleaching the plant fibers in order to have a desired color.

[067] Reference is now being made to FIG. 2, which illustrates a flowchart of a method of preparing the material composition of the present disclosure in accordance with other embodiments of the present disclosure, the method may include the steps of: providing a container of boiling water (process block 2-1); adding the plant fibers to the container of boiling water to produce a fourth mixture (process block 2-2); adding the at least one anti-mold agent and the at least one anti-bacterial agent to the fourth mixture to produce a fifth mixture (process block 2-3); and allowing the plant fibers in the fifth mixture to be cooked or steamed in the container of boiling water while ensuring that water enclosed in the container is continuously boiling (process block 2-4).

[068] In other embodiments of the present disclosure, cooking the plant fibers in the fifth mixture enables such fibers to be easily broken down or blended.

[069] In other embodiments, the steaming of the plant fibers in the fifth mixture may be done at ambient pressure.

[070] In yet other embodiments, the steaming of the plant fibers in the fifth mixture may be done under pressure.

[071] In other embodiments of the present disclosure, the method may further include the step of adding one or more state-of-the-art additives to the fifth mixture that would speed up and facilitate the process of breaking down the plant fibers in order for the fifth mixture to be moldable pulp (process block 2-5).

[072] In other embodiments of the present disclosure, the method may further include the step of blending and straining the fifth mixture (process block 2-6), followed by molding the fifth mixture in a mold of a desired shape to produce the material composition of the present disclosure in the shape of the mold (process block 2-7).

[073] In other embodiments of the present disclosure, the method may further include the step of pressing the fifth mixture in the mold using a conventional pressing machine/device (process block 2-8).

[074] In other embodiments of the present disclosure, the method may further include passive drying of the fifth mixture in the mold (process block 2-9), or alternatively active drying of the fifth mixture in the mold using a suitable dryer (process block 2-10).

[075] In other embodiments, the method may further include the step of painting, dying, or bleaching the plant fibers in order to have a desired color. [076] The disclosure is now further illustrated on the basis of examples and a detailed description from which further features and advantages may be taken. It is to be noted that the following explanations are presented for the purpose of illustration and description only; they are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise form disclosed.

Example 1

Preparation of agricultural waste composition with olive mill waste

[077] A sample of the material composition was prepared in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The process was initiated by heating about 3,937grams of tap water in a container below its boiling point, followed by adding about 1260 gram of gelatin while stirring until it completely dissolves in the water. After that, about 88 grams of sodium benzoate was added, followed by about 945 grams of the olive mill waste, and then about 945 grams of cleaned plant fibers were added to the previous mixture while stirring to ensure that a homogeneous mixture is formed. After that, the mixture was molded in a mold having the shape of a sofa and was left in the mold to passively dry. The surface edges were trimmed to shape by sawing. And then further sanding to the surface was done to reach desired smooth texture before applying a water based sealant to close the pores. FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the sofa bench 1 prepared in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure and installed over a metal base 2.

[078] The resulting non-geometrical sofa made of the material composition of the present disclosure was a manufactured wood-like material, that is lightweight, has strong mechanical proprieties, can be formed in shapes, and produced in natural shades of brown if not painted, bleached, or dyed. Example 2

Preparation of the material composition without olive waste

[079] The preparation of the agricultural waste composition waste was initiated by providing a container containing about 4,000 grams of boiling water and adding about 400 grams of plant fibers to the boiling water. Consequently, about 100 grams of sodium carbonate was added to the mixture, while allowing the plant fibers to be sufficiently cooked and easily broken down for blending. The plant fibers are then blended using a blender to a consistent size till a moldable pulp is formed. Once the plant fibers have reached the desired size, they were then strained and the pulp is pressed into a mug-shaped mold then were actively dried to create a package for a mug. FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary package 3 prepared in this example for a conventional mug, the exemplary package being produced according to the method of the present disclosure.

[080] The resulting composition forms an intertwined, recycled cardboard-like material with a wool-like texture and different shades of brown as a result of processing.

[081] While embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail and with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various additions, omissions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

[082] In describing and claiming the present invention, the following terminology was used.

[083] The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[084] As used herein, the term “binding agent” refers to any material or substance that holds or draws the other constituents in the composition of the present disclosure together to form a cohesive whole mechanically, chemically, by adhesion or cohesion. [085] As used herein, the term “anti-molding agent” refers to any material or substance that prevents or inhibits the growth of mold in the material composition of the present disclosure.

[086] As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositional elements, and/or materials may be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as a defacto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based on their presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary.

[087] Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, reaction conditions, and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about”. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in this specification and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the presently disclosed subject matter.