Industrial alginates prodn. from brown algae - using less water enabling wider variety to be treated

摘要

Prodn. of an alginate complex from brown algae, comprises washing the algae, treating with Na, K or NH4 hydroxide or carbonate, followed by an accelerated ripening or fermentation by heating at 100-200 degrees C, pref. 120 degrees C. The wet prod. is then ground e.g. in a colloid mill. Prod. is mixed with bentonite for use as a fine retardan retardant, plasticiser for bricks, tiles and cement and for purifying water, etc. Addn. of lime gives a prod. useful for treating aqs. effluents. The process uses much less water (about 101/kilo c.f. 1 m3) and enables 50-65% of marine algae to be treated (c.f 5%) to give a useful industrial product. Other additives may be linden, camphor carboxymethyl cellulose or other thickeners.