RU2779866C2 - Compact body - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: glass production.

SUBSTANCE: present invention relates to a briquette for use in mineral loading of a furnace in the production of glass fibers. The briquette contains a product of mineral wool with a reduced carbohydrate content and a cement binder. The mentioned material of mineral wool in the form of spinning chamber filters, screw waste, edge shavings, flushing waste, unfinished cobs from spinning chamber filters, and similar waste contains a carbohydrate-containing binder, and it is processed by a method in order to reduce the carbohydrate-containing binder in the product. To reduce the carbohydrate content in material of mineral wool, material is subjected to a stage of fine grinding and processing of resulting substrate with one or several microorganisms capable of performing carbohydrate metabolism, and/or an extract of one or several microorganisms capable of performing carbohydrate metabolism.

EFFECT: obtaining a product with improved capability of recycling for reuse.

26 cl, 7 tbl

Description

The field of technology to which the invention belongs

The present invention relates to a method for reducing the carbohydrate content of a mineral wool material (rock wool) containing a carbohydrate-containing binder, to a product obtained by said method, and a compact body, in particular, a briquette containing a product obtained by said method.

Prior Art

Man-made vitreous fibers (MMVF) such as, for example, basalt fibers, slag fibers, glass fibers and stone fibers can be produced by melting a mineral charge in a furnace and converting the melt into fibers. The resulting MMV fibers can form wool products such as stone wool.

In some furnaces used for the production of MMVF fibers, there is a large liquid layer of the melt, and the mineral charge is melted in the specified liquid layer. Tank and electric furnaces are examples of such equipment, which can be used to produce stone fibres, but mainly to produce glass fibres.

Another type of furnace that is used for melt spinning to produce MMVF fibers, especially fibers of the types called stone, slag and basalt fibers, is a shaft furnace or cupola furnace, which contains a self-supporting column of solid coarse mineral and combustible material, and gaseous products of combustion permeate said column so as to heat it and cause melting. The melt flows down to the bottom of the column where a liquid layer of melt normally forms and the melt is removed from the bottom of the furnace. Because the column must be both self-supporting and permeable, the feed must be relatively coarse and have sufficient strength to withstand the high temperatures in the column, which can exceed 1000°C.

The raw material can be formed from coarse ground rock of natural origin and slag, or any other type of suitable coarse material, provided that it will withstand the pressures and temperatures in a self-supporting column in a shaft furnace. In the case of using more finely divided raw materials, it is known that finer bulk materials, such as sand, are converted into bound briquettes for addition to the kiln. They must have sufficient strength and heat resistance to withstand the conditions in the self-sustaining column in the shaft furnace in order to melt to failure.

For a total kiln load (ie lump mineral only or lump mineral plus briquettes) it is necessary to provide the composition desired for the MMV fibers to be produced. However, in shaft furnaces, the residence time of the material in the small liquid melt layer at the base of the furnace is short, and the raw materials must be incorporated into said melt layer quickly enough if a suitable melt is to be produced to provide an end product having the desired properties.

In the production of mineral wool products, the fibers obtained during the spinning process are blown into a collection chamber, and carried by the air current and while still hot, the fibers are sprayed together with a binder solution and randomly deposited in the form of a mat or net on a moving conveyor. The fiber mesh or mat is then transferred to a curing oven where heated air is blown through the mat to cure the binder. The cured mat or slab (slab) is cut along the sides and cut according to certain dimensions. Both during spinning and cutting, cutting to final dimensions, and subsequent final inspection and checking for defects, waste is generated that is either discarded or, preferably, returned to the MMVF fiber production process.

Ultimately, said waste is crushed into smaller, finer particles by grinding in a rod mill or any appropriate device/equipment and/or disentangled and then compacted to form briquettes. Waste MMVF fiber briquettes are typically produced by forming a mixture of waste MMVF fibers, optionally together with other fine grained components in finely divided form and an appropriate binder, into the desired briquette shape and curing the binder. Preferably, a cement binder is used to produce cement briquettes.

The briquettes, possibly after temporary storage, can be combined with virgin raw materials and/or other lumpy starting material such as slag to form MMVF fibers and returned to the MMVF production process via the melting furnace. Briquettes are particularly applicable for forming a part, and often the main share of the feed mixture of a shaft or cupola furnace. The number of briquettes can reach 100% or less, as an example, 80% or less, or 50% or less of the total load. They can also be used as part of the feed mix in an electric oven.

In the case of using waste MMVF fibers to produce briquettes, the waste may contain cured and/or uncured mineral wool binder, depending on the point in the production line where the waste is generated.

The group of formaldehyde-free mineral wool binders are binders that contain carbohydrates, such as starch or sugar, as additives, extenders or as reactive components of the binder system; see for example WO 2007/014236.

Such carbohydrate-containing mineral wool binders are highly advantageous from both economic and environmental points of view, since carbohydrates are an inexpensive component, and at the same time are non-toxic and renewable.

Accordingly, the art is increasingly using, in particular, mineral wool binders, which contain carbohydrates as the main component.

However, it has been found that the presence of uncured or partially cured carbohydrate-containing mineral wool binder in waste MMVF fibers results in long curing times for cement-containing briquettes, the reason being that carbohydrates are cement setting retarders. The term "carbohydrate" as used herein refers to monosaccharides, disaccharides, polysaccharides, and mixtures thereof.

Accordingly, the highly desirable properties of carbohydrate-containing mineral wool binders are somewhat impaired by the fact that they make it difficult to return to the mineral wool production waste cycle. Therefore, there is a need to overcome this disadvantage of carbohydrate-containing mineral wool binders.

The essence of the invention

Accordingly, an object of the present invention was to develop a method that improves the recyclability (recyclability) of mineral wool material (rock wool). In particular, the aim of the present invention was to develop a method that allows to reduce the carbohydrate content of the mineral wool material.

A further object of the present invention was to provide a product with improved recyclability produced by treating a substrate containing a mineral wool material containing a carbohydrate-containing binder in the aforementioned manner. In particular, a further object of the present invention was to provide a reduced carbohydrate product produced by treating a substrate containing a mineral wool material containing a carbohydrate-containing binder in the above manner.

A further object of the present invention was to provide a compact body, in particular a briquette, suitable for use as a mineral feed mixture (load) in the production of man-made vitreous fibers (MMVF) obtained from such a product, which is characterized by improved strength.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for reducing the carbohydrate content of a mineral wool material, said material having a carbohydrate-containing binder in its composition, the method comprising the step of treating a substrate containing the material with one or more microorganisms capable of metabolizing carbohydrate, and/or an extract of one or more microorganisms capable of carbohydrate metabolism.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a product obtained by treating a substrate in this way is provided.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a compact body, in particular a briquette, suitable for use as a mineral feed in the production of man-made vitreous fibers (MMVF), said compact body comprising such a product and a cement binder.

The present invention teaches that it is surprisingly possible to improve the recyclability of a mineral wool material containing a carbohydrate-containing binder using such a method. This is achieved by treating the material with such microorganisms and/or with an extract of such microorganisms. Quite unexpectedly, despite the presence of large amounts of other binder components and mineral wool fibers, it is possible to significantly reduce the carbohydrate content as a result of treatment with microorganisms and/or extract of microorganisms. The present invention has shown that carbohydrate can be reduced in this manner without the need for any special equipment or expensive chemicals. The method according to the present invention combines the advantages of using mineral wool binders having a high carbohydrate content with the advantages associated with the recycling of mineral wool production waste in an efficient way, since the reduction in carbohydrate content in the waste achieved in an easy way, provided by the method according to the present of the invention, allows the production of compact bodies of increased strength, which can be easily returned to the MMVF fiber production process.

Description of Preferred Embodiments

The method according to the present invention is a method for reducing the carbohydrate content of a mineral wool material, said material having a carbohydrate-containing binder in its composition, and this method includes the step of treating a substrate containing this material with one or more microorganisms capable of metabolizing carbohydrate, and/or an extract of one or more microorganisms capable of carbohydrate metabolism.

For the purpose of the present invention, the term "mineral wool material" means any material in which mineral wool is in contact with an uncured and/or cured binder. In particular, the term "mineral wool material" refers to waste from the manufacturing process for producing MMVF fibres.

In the following, the term "material" is used to describe the mineral wool material.

For the purpose of the present invention, the term "substrate" means a composition containing mineral wool material and anything that is added to this material before the stage of treatment of the substrate with microorganisms and/or microorganism extract, or during or after this stage, in particular water and any form additives.

In a preferred embodiment, the method according to the present invention includes the step of grinding the material, preferably by grinding in a rod mill.

In a preferred embodiment, the method according to the present invention includes the step of adding to the material one or more components of: microorganisms, an extract of microorganisms or additives before the grinding step of the material, preferably by grinding in a rod mill, or during this step, or after it .

In a preferred embodiment, the material used in the method according to the invention is a waste product from the MMVF fiber production process, which typically contains one or more of the following types of waste: spin box filters, auger waste, edge trimmings, wash waste, unfinished cobs from spin box filters, waste spinning box cleaning, spinning screw waste, hardened waste, spinning box filter mats.

Single stage slurry process

In one of the preferred embodiments, the method according to the present invention is carried out in such a way that the substrate contains water in an amount from a value of more than 40 to 90 wt.% (i.e. from > 40 to 90 wt.%), preferably from 50 to 76 wt. .% based on the total weight of the material.

Said relatively high water content generally means that the material is present in the form of a slurry. The inventors of the present invention have found that said embodiment is particularly applicable when the material comprises spin box filters, unfinished spin box filter cobs, spin box cleaning waste and/or spin box filter mats.

In this process, the material is mixed with water (and optionally additives) in order to obtain a substrate with the desired water content.

Preferably, one or more microorganisms are then added in such an amount that one or more microorganisms are present in an amount of from 0.0125 x 10 ⁹ to 500 x 10 ⁹ , preferably from 0.1 x 10 ⁹ to 250 x 10 ⁹ microorganisms / gram per calculated on the total mass of the substrate and microorganisms and / or extract of microorganisms.

More preferably, one or more microorganisms are then added in such an amount that one or more microorganisms are present in an amount of from 0.0125 x 10 ⁹ to 10 x 10 ⁹ , preferably from 0.1 x 10 ⁹ to 5 x 10 ⁹ microorganisms / gram based on the total weight of the substrate and microorganisms and/or the extract of microorganisms.

In an alternative embodiment, an extract of the microorganism is added. Preferably, the microorganism extract is added in such a way that the extract is present in an amount of 0.5 to 25 wt.%, preferably 4 to 18 wt.%, based on the total weight of the substrate and microorganisms and/or the microorganism extract.

These embodiments can also be combined, ie. by adding both microorganisms and extract of microorganisms.

The method of the present invention can be used with mineral wool material containing both high and low carbohydrate carbohydrate-containing binder. In a preferred embodiment, the material has a carbohydrate content of 0.1 to 35, preferably 0.5 to 25% by weight of carbohydrate based on the total weight of the material.

The method according to the present invention is generally not limited to a certain temperature range. However, in a preferred embodiment, the substrate treatment step takes place at a temperature of 10 to 50°C, preferably 15 to 45°C. This generally means that the processing step takes place without any need for external heating or cooling and therefore without the need for any additional equipment.

The present inventors have found that effective carbohydrate reduction can be achieved in a fairly short time frame. Although the method according to the present invention is not limited to a particular time schedule, it is preferable that the material processing step takes place over a time period of 1 to 72 hours, preferably 6 to 24 hours.

One step low water process

In an alternative preferred embodiment, the method of the present invention is carried out on a substrate which contains water in an amount of 10 to 40% by weight, preferably 20 to 40% by weight, based on the total weight of the substrate.

In this alternative embodiment, the material is typically present in the form of a wet powder of finely divided material to which water has been added.

In a preferred embodiment, one or more microorganisms are present in an amount of 0.000625 x 10 ⁹ to 125 x 10 ⁹ , preferably 0.005 x 10 ⁹ to 75 x 10 ⁹ microorganisms/gram based on the total weight of substrate and microorganisms and/or extract microorganisms.

In a more preferred embodiment, one or more microorganisms are present in an amount of from 0.000625 x 10 ⁹ to 2.5 x 10 ⁹ , preferably from 0.005 x 10 ⁹ to 1.5 x 10 ⁹ microorganisms/gram based on the total weight of the substrate and microorganisms and/or an extract of microorganisms.

In an alternative embodiment, an extract of microorganisms is used. In this embodiment, the extract is preferably present in an amount of from 0.05 to 15 wt.%, preferably from 0.2 to 5 wt.%, based on the total weight of the substrate, microorganisms and/or extract of microorganisms.

In a further embodiment, both microorganisms and an extract of microorganisms are used.

The present inventors have found that the process can be improved when the substrate contains a fermentation accelerator.

Typically, said fermentation accelerator is a component that stabilizes the pH value and/or serves as a nutrient for microorganisms.

In a preferred embodiment, the fermentation accelerator is one or more of the group consisting of phosphoric acids and/or phosphates, acetic acid and/or any of its salts.

In the context of the present invention, the term "phosphoric acids" is intended to cover all types of phosphorus-containing mineral acids, and the term "phosphates" is intended to cover salts of all types of phosphorus-containing mineral acids.

Alternatively, the microorganism extract can also serve as a fermentation accelerator.

Although the amount of the fermentation accelerator used is generally not limited, it is preferable that the substrate contains the fermentation accelerator in an amount of 0.01 to 5 wt.%, preferably 0.05 to 0.4 wt.%, based on the total weight of the substrate, microorganisms and/or an extract of microorganisms.

Although the carbohydrate content of the material used to implement the method according to this embodiment is not limited, in a preferred embodiment, this material has a carbohydrate content of 0.05 to 70 wt% carbohydrate, preferably 0.05 to 50 wt%, more preferably 0.05 to 40% by weight, more preferably 0.05 to 30% by weight, based on the total weight of the material.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the material has a carbohydrate content of 0.05 to 10, preferably 0.25 to 4% by weight of carbohydrate, based on the total weight of the material.

Although the present invention is generally not limited to a specific temperature range, in a preferred embodiment, the method includes the step of treating the material at a temperature of 10 to 50°C, preferably 15 to 45°C. This generally means that the processing step takes place without any need for external heating or cooling and therefore without the need for any additional equipment.

Although the method according to this embodiment is not limited to any mode of time, in a preferred embodiment, the method includes the step of processing the material for a period of 3 hours to 30 days, preferably 1 to 3 days.

Two step process

The present inventors have found that particularly advantageous results are achieved by combining a one-stage slurry process with a one-stage low water process into a two-stage process.

In this embodiment, the method includes at least two steps in the form of:

(i) treating the substrate with the one-step slurry process described above, and

(ii) treating the combined substrate of the product of step (i) and the additional substrate with the one-step low water process described above.

In said two-stage process, stage one is used to prepare a "starter culture" for the process according to stage (ii).

Stage (i)

In a preferred embodiment, step (i) is carried out in such a way that the substrate contains water in an amount of more than 40 to 90 wt.% (i.e. from > 40 to 90 wt.%), preferably from 50 to 76 wt.% based on the total weight of the material.

Said relatively high water content generally means that the material is present in the form of a slurry. The present inventors have found that this embodiment is particularly applicable when the material comprises spinbox filters, unfinished spinneret filter cobs, spinbox cleaning waste, and/or spinbox filter mats.

In said step (i), the material is mixed with water (and optionally additives) in order to obtain a substrate with the desired water content.

Preferably, one or more microorganisms are then added in such an amount that one or more microorganisms are present in an amount of from 0.0125 x 10 ⁹ to 500 x 10 ⁹ , preferably from 0.1 x 10 ⁹ to 250 x 10 ⁹ microorganisms / gram per calculated on the total mass of the substrate and microorganisms and / or extract of microorganisms.

More preferably, one or more microorganisms are then added in such an amount that one or more microorganisms are present in an amount of from 0.0125 x 10 ⁹ to 10 x 10 ⁹ , preferably from 0.1 x 10 ⁹ to 5 x 10 ⁹ microorganisms / gram based on the total weight of the substrate and microorganisms and/or the extract of microorganisms.

In an alternative embodiment, an extract of the microorganism is added. Preferably, the microorganism extract is added in such a way that the extract is present in an amount of 0.5 to 25 wt.%, preferably 4 to 18 wt.%, based on the total weight of the substrate and microorganisms and/or the microorganism extract.

These embodiments can also be combined, ie. by adding both microorganisms and extract of microorganisms.

The method of step (i) can be used with mineral wool material containing both high and low carbohydrate carbohydrate-containing binder. In a preferred embodiment, the material has a carbohydrate content of 0.1 to 35, preferably 0.5 to 25% by weight of carbohydrate based on the total weight of the material.

The method according to step (i) is generally not limited to a certain temperature range. However, in a preferred embodiment, the substrate treatment step takes place at a temperature of 10 to 50°C, preferably 15 to 45°C. This generally means that the processing step takes place without any need for external heating or cooling and therefore without the need for any additional equipment.

The present inventors have found that effective carbohydrate reduction can be achieved in a fairly short time frame. Although the method according to step (i) is not limited to a particular time schedule, it is preferable that the material processing step takes place over a time period of 1 to 72 hours, preferably 6 to 24 hours.

In a preferred embodiment, the substrate treated in step (i) contains spinbox filters.

Stage (ii)

In a preferred embodiment, the combined substrate used in step (ii) is in the form of a wet powder of finely divided material to which water has been added.

In a preferred embodiment, one or more microorganisms are present in an amount of 0.000625 x 10 ⁹ to 125 x 10 ⁹ , preferably 0.005 x 10 ⁹ to 75 x 10 ⁹ microorganisms/gram based on the total weight of substrate and microorganisms and/or extract microorganisms.

In a more preferred embodiment, one or more microorganisms are present in an amount of from 0.000625 x 10 ⁹ to 2.5 x 10 ⁹ , preferably from 0.005 x 10 ⁹ to 1.5 x 10 ⁹ microorganisms/gram based on the total weight of the substrate and microorganisms and/or an extract of microorganisms.

In an alternative embodiment, an extract of microorganisms is used. In this embodiment, the extract is preferably present in an amount of from 0.05 to 15 wt.%, preferably from 0.2 to 5 wt.%, based on the total weight of the material, microorganisms and/or extract of microorganisms.

In a further embodiment, both microorganisms and an extract of microorganisms are used.

The present inventors have found that the process can be improved when the material contains a fermentation accelerator.

Typically, said fermentation accelerator is a component that stabilizes the pH value and/or serves as a nutrient for microorganisms.

In a preferred embodiment, the fermentation accelerator is one or more of the group consisting of phosphoric acids and/or phosphates, acetic acid and/or any of its salts.

In the context of the present invention, the term "phosphoric acids" is intended to cover all types of phosphorus-containing mineral acids, and the term "phosphates" is intended to cover salts of all types of phosphorus-containing mineral acids.

Alternatively, the microorganism extract can also serve as a fermentation accelerator.

Although the amount of the fermentation accelerator used is generally not limited, it is preferable that the substrate contains the fermentation accelerator in an amount of 0.01 to 5 wt.%, preferably 0.05 to 0.4 wt.%, based on the total weight of the substrate, microorganisms and/or an extract of microorganisms.

Although the carbohydrate content of the material used to implement the method according to this embodiment is not limited, in a preferred embodiment, this material has a carbohydrate content of 0.05 to 70 wt% carbohydrate, preferably 0.05 to 50 wt%, more preferably 0.05 to 40% by weight, more preferably 0.05 to 30% by weight, based on the total weight of the material.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the material has a carbohydrate content of 0.05 to 10, preferably 0.25 to 4% by weight of carbohydrate, based on the total weight of the material.

Although step (ii) is generally not limited to a specific temperature range, in a preferred embodiment, this method includes the step of treating the material at a temperature of 10 to 50°C, preferably 15 to 45°C. This generally means that the processing step takes place without any need for external heating or cooling and therefore without the need for any additional equipment.

Although step (ii) is not limited to any particular time schedule, in a preferred embodiment, the method includes the step of treating the material for a period of 3 hours to 30 days, preferably 1 to 3 days.

Carbohydrate-containing binders used in the production of mineral wool material processed by the method according to the present invention

This patent according to the present invention can be used in relation to any mineral wool material that has a carbohydrate-containing binder in its composition.

In one preferred embodiment, the carbohydrate-containing binder used in the manufacture of mineral wool material contains phenol-formaldehyde resole, and the carbohydrate is selected from a sugar such as dextrose.

In a further preferred embodiment, the carbohydrate-containing binder used in the manufacture of mineral wool material further comprises:

(a) a polybasic carboxylic acid component or any salt thereof and/or an inorganic acid or any salt thereof;

(b) a component selected from the group consisting of amine compounds, ammonia, and optionally

(c) the reaction product of a polybasic carboxylic acid component or anhydride thereof with an alkanolamine component.

In a further preferred embodiment, the carbohydrate-containing binder used in the production of mineral wool material has in its composition a carbohydrate selected from hexose, such as dextrose, fructose; pentoses such as xylose and/or sucrose, glucose syrup.

Microorganisms or extract of microorganisms

In a preferred embodiment, one or more microorganisms are selected from the group consisting of fungi, yeasts, preferably saccharomyces cerevisiae cultured yeasts, and/or bacteria, in particular genera lactobacillus, leuconostoc, pediococcos, and/or bifidobacteria.

In a preferred embodiment, one or more of the micro-organisms has a yeast incorporating a culture of saccharomyces cerevisiae.

In a specific preferred embodiment, the microorganism is a culture of saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The product obtained by this method

The present invention also relates to a product obtained by treating a substrate with the method of the present invention.

Said product has a substantially reduced carbohydrate content compared to the mineral wool starting material and therefore has an increased degree of recyclability.

compact body

The present invention also relates to a compact body, in particular a briquette suitable for use as a mineral feed mixture in the manufacture of man-made vitreous fibers (MMVF), said compact body comprising:

a) a product obtained by treating the substrate with the method according to the invention;

b) cement binder.

The compact body according to the present invention has increased strength and therefore can be used very advantageously as a feed mixture in shaft furnaces.

Examples

The following examples are intended to further explain the invention without limiting its scope.

Yeast and additives, as well as other components

Fresh, pressed baker's yeast, active cells of a culture of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, approximately 30% dry matter (>31% dry matter), was obtained from De Danske Gaerfabrikker. Instaferm® RED Instant Dry Baker's Yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae culture, approximately 95% dry matter (<6% moisture), approximately 20 billion live cells per gram, was obtained from Lallemand. For simplicity, fresh and dry baker's yeasts were counted as anhydrous.

Phosphate buffer solutions, glacial acetic acid and sodium dihydrogen phosphate monohydrate for use as additives for laboratory fermentation studies were obtained from Sigma-Aldrich. Glacial acetic acid and sodium dihydrogen phosphate monohydrate for 1 ton scale fermentation studies were obtained from Panreac.

Carbohydrate binders

Binder alkanolamine - anhydride resin w - glucose syrup

The basis of this binder is the reaction products of alkanolamine with anhydride of a polybasic carboxylic acid.

Diethanolamine (DEA; 120.5 g) was placed in a 5 liter glass reactor equipped with a stirrer and a heating/cooling jacket. The temperature of diethanolamine was raised to 60° C., to which tetrahydrophthalic anhydride (THPA, 67.1 g) was then added. After raising the temperature and keeping it at 130° C., the second part of tetrahydrophthalic anhydride (33.6 g) was added followed by trimellitic anhydride (TMA; 67.1 g). After the implementation of the interaction at 130°C for 1 hour, the mixture is cooled to 95°C. Water (241.7 g) is added and stirring is continued for 1 hour. Urea (216.1 g) is then added and stirring is continued until all solids are dissolved. After cooling to ambient temperature, the mixture was poured into water (3.32 kg) and 50% aqueous hypophosphoric acid (5.0 g) and 25% aqueous ammonia (56.3 g) were added with stirring.

Glucose syrup (1.24 kg) was heated to 60° C. and then added with stirring, followed by 50% aqueous silane solution (Product Momentive VS-142) (5.0 g).

Binder ascorbic acid - glucose

A mixture of L-ascorbic acid (1.50 g; 8.52 mmol) and 75.1% aqueous glucose syrup (18.0 g; thus a productive amount of glucose syrup 13.5 g) and urea (0 .75 g) in water (30.5 g) was stirred at room temperature until a clear solution was obtained. A 50% aqueous solution of hypophosphoric acid (0.6015 g; thus a productive amount of hypophosphoric acid 0.30 g; 4.55 mmol) (pH 1.3) is then added. A 28% aqueous ammonia solution (0.99 g; thus a productive amount of ammonia 0.28 g; 16.3 mmol) is then added dropwise until a pH of 6.7 is reached. Then determine the amount of solids of the binder (20.1 wt.%). Silane is added in an amount corresponding to 0.5% solids.

Phenol formaldehyde urea binder (PUF) - glucose syrup

Said binder is a urea-modified phenol-formaldehyde resin, PUF-resol.

Phenol-formaldehyde resin is obtained by reacting 37% aqueous formaldehyde solution (606 g) and phenol (189 g) in the presence of 46% aqueous potassium hydroxide solution (25.5 g) at a reaction temperature of 84°C, previously reached with a heating rate approximately 1°C per minute. The reaction is continued at 84°C until the acid resistance of the resin is 4 and most of the phenol is converted. Urea (241 g) is then added and the mixture is cooled.

Acid resistance (AT) expresses the number of times that a given volume of binder can be diluted with acid without clouding the mixture (the binder precipitates). Sulfuric acid is used to determine the criterion for the termination of the formation of the binder, and the end of the reaction of the binder is indicated by an acid resistance below 4.

To measure the AT value, prepare a titrant by diluting 2.5 ml of concentrated sulfuric acid (>99%) with 1 liter of ion-exchanged water. Then, 5 ml of the binder to be tested is titrated at room temperature with the indicated titrant while keeping the binder in motion by manually shaking it; if preferred, a magnetic stirrer and a magnetic bar are used. Titration is continued until a weak turbidity appears in the binder, which does not disappear when the binder is shaken. Acid resistance (AT) is calculated by dividing the volume of acid used for titration (ml) by the sample volume (ml):

AT = (Volume used for titration (mL)) / (Volume of sample (mL))

Using the resulting urea-modified phenol-formaldehyde resin, a binder was prepared by adding 25% aqueous ammonia (90 ml) and ammonium sulfate (13.2 g), followed by water (1.30 kg) and silane (2.4 g) .

Rod milled model wastes (RMW) containing an alkanolamine-anhydride resin binder w-glucose syrup or ascorbic acid-glucose were obtained by mixing rod milled and heat-treated wastes from various sources with this binder mixture, water and other additives, as appropriate. Heat treatment ground on a rod mill waste was carried out at 590°C during the night to remove other organic components. Rod milled model wastes containing phenol-formaldehyde urea (PUF) glucose syrup binder were prepared by mixing rod milled PUF wastes with aqueous solutions of glucose syrup, water and other additives, as appropriate.

Glucose measurements using HPLC and/or a blood sugar meter

The change in glucose content of the enzyme mixtures was monitored by HPLC and/or a blood sugar meter (Model AccuChek® Aviva Nano) in aqueous extracts of the enzyme mixtures.

Presentation of results

The results are shown in tables that contain the following information:

• Enzyme Blends (%): Composition of enzyme blends calculated as wt % yeast, binder, fibers, moisture and additives based on the total weight of the mixture (so that yeast + binder + fibers + moisture + additives = 100 wt %) . The data in italics contains information that further details how much wt. of the total mixture is accounted for by a selected specific subcomponent.

• Conditions: The conditions under which the fermentation reactions were carried out. This includes information such as holding temperature, measurement time, and the pH level of aqueous extracts reached at the start and end of fermentation reactions.

• Glucose removal: details the time (days/hours) required to reduce glucose by >25%, >50%, >75% and >90% in aqueous extracts of enzyme mixtures, calculated from baseline values. Measured using an HPLC method or a blood sugar meter. In the tests in which the briquettes were made, the decrease in glucose content over the days of the briquetting was also described in detail.

• Composition of the test bars (%): The composition of the test bars made at the FEhS Institute in Duisburg. The tables only detail the contents of the ferment mixture or the reference wool ground in the rod mill. Other components of test bars made from fermented waste include: cement 52.5R (12.3%), sand (53.8%). Other components of test bars made from rod milled reference waste include: cement 52.5R (13.0%), sand (57.0%).

• Compressive strength (MPa): The compressive strength of the test bars after a certain number of days, measured at the FEhS Institute, Duisburg.

• Briquette compositions (%): Composition of the test briquettes. The tables detail only the content of the fermentative mixture or the reference wool ground in the rod mill, as well as the content of the cement. Other components of briquettes made from fermented waste include: Valdi (6.9%), dolomite sand (4.9%), screened slag (9.8%), MTMS (5.9%), SSA SSIAAP ( 7.9%), screened mixture (4.9%), fly ash (3.9%), bauxite (14.7%). Other components of briquettes made from rod mill reference waste include: Valdi (7.0%), dolomite sand (5.0%), screened slag (10.0%), MTMS (6.0% ), SSA SSIAAP (8.0%), screened mixture (5.0%), fly ash (4.0%), bauxite (15.0%).

• Briquette details (%): Mass, height, density of the test briquettes, as well as compressive strength values of the test briquettes after a certain number of days. Briquette compressive strengths of 5 MPa or more can be considered adequate.

Table 1

Example one 2 3 four 5 6 7 eight Enzyme Blend (%) Fresh baker's yeast 0.30% 0.30% 0.30% 0.30% 0.20% 0.20% 0.20% 0.20% alkanolamine anhydride resin w –
glucose syrup 0.70% 0.70% 0.70% 0.70% 0.80% 0.80% 0.80% 0.80% fibers 69% 69% 69% 69% 79% 79% 79% 79% Humidity thirty% thirty% thirty% thirty% twenty% twenty% 19% 19% Phosphate buffer pH 3.0; 0.1M 0.32% 0.20% Phosphate buffer pH 3.0; 0.5M 1.0% Phosphate buffer pH 6.5; 0.02M 0.06% Phosphate buffer pH 6.5; 0.5M 1.0% Phosphate buffer pH 8.5; 0.02M 0.06% Fermentation conditions Temperature room room room room room room room room Measurement time (days) 3 one one one 3 3 one one Initial pH 9.6 7.9 9.2 9.4 9.8 8.4 8.1 8.1 Final pH 7.2 7.7 7.6 8.0 9.7 7.5 7.1 7.1 Glucose removal Decrease >25% (days) one one one one >3 one one one Reduction >50% (days) 3 one one one >3 one one one Decrease >75% (days) 3 one one one >3 3 one one Reduction >90% (days) 3 one one one >3 3 one one

For comparison, two examples without phosphates are included (Notes 1 and 5).

At a humidity of 30%, the inclusion of phosphate buffers pH 3.0; pH 6.5 or pH 8.5 in all cases had a shortening effect on the glucose removal time (approx. 2-4 vs. 1). Thus, all three fermentations were completed within one day.

At 19-20% moisture, as well as slightly reduced baker's yeast and slightly increased binder content, the incorporation of phosphate buffers similarly had a shortening effect on glucose removal time (ca. 6-8 vs. 5).

table 2

Example l 2 3 four Enzyme Blend (%) Fresh baker's yeast 0.20% 1.1% 2.2% 5.0% Alkanolamine – anhydride resin w –
glucose syrup 0.80% 0.79% 0.78% 0.75% fibers 79% 78% 77% 74% Moisture twenty% twenty% twenty% twenty% Fermentation conditions Temperature room room room room Measurement time (days) 6 one one one Initial pH 9.0 8.0 7.5 7.0 Final pH 7.5 7.5 7.5 8.0 Glucose removal Decrease >25% (days) 2 one one one Reduction >50% (days) 2 one one one Decrease >75% (days) 3 one one one Reduction >90% (days) 6 one one one Test bar compositions (%) Waste milled in a rod mill 34.0 34.0 34.0 34.0 Compressive strength (MPa) 3 days 6.3 5.5 5.0 4.3 7 days 8.9 8.4 7.7 6.4

The effect of yeast content was studied by varying the yeast concentration from 0.2% to 5.0% (notes 1-4) using heat-treated rod milled waste. Incorporation of increasing amounts of yeast resulted in a reduction in the required fermentation time: at 0.2% yeast inclusion, 6 days were required to remove >90% glucose (Note 1), while at a yeast concentration of 1.1-5.0%, only 1 day to remove >90% glucose (notes 2-4). The initial pH gradually decreased from 9 to 7 with increasing yeast content.

It turns out that with an increase in the content of fresh baker's yeast, there is a gradual decrease in the strength of the test bars (note 1-4).

Table 3

Example one 2 3 four 5 6 7 eight Enzyme Blend (%) Fresh baker's yeast - 0.20% 0.59% 1.0% - 0.20% 0.59% 1.0% Alkanolamine – anhydride resin w-glucose syrup 1.6% 1.6% 1.6% 1.6% - - - - Ascorbic acid - glucose - - - - 1.6% 1.6% 1.6% 1.6% fibers 79% 79% 78% 78% 79% 79% 78% 78% Moisture twenty% twenty% twenty% 19% twenty% twenty% twenty% 19% Fermentation conditions Temperature room room room room room room room room Measurement time (days) 70 70 57 23 70 51 23 16 Initial pH 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.0 7.5 8.0 8.0 Final pH 7.5 6.5 7.5 7.0 6.5 5.5 5.5 5.5 Glucose removal Decrease >25% (days) 63 35 28 fourteen 57 28 fourteen 9 Reduction >50% (days) 70 57 51 19 70 35 19 fourteen Decrease >75% (days) >70 70 51 21 >70 41 21 fourteen Reduction >90% (days) >70 70 57 23 >70 51 23 16

These results show that fermentation in the presence of 1.6% binder alkanolamine - anhydride resin w - glucose syrup with 0.2-1.0% fresh baker's yeast is possible (approx. 2-4). All fermentations were characterized by an initial pH of 8.5 and were completed at a pH of 6.5-7.5. The time required to remove >90% glucose content decreased as a function of the increase in yeast content (70 days for 0.2% yeast vs. 23 days for 1.0% yeast, approx. 2 vs. 4). Some degree of glucose removal was observed in the example without yeast addition, but the conversion was very slow (Note 1).

Removal of the glucose content in the presence of 1.6% ascorbic acid-glucose binder with 0.2-1.0% fresh baker's yeast is possible (approx. 6-8). These fermentations were characterized by an initial pH of 7.5-8 and were completed at 5.5. The time required to remove >90% of the glucose content decreased significantly as a function of the increase in yeast content (51 days for 0.2% yeast versus 16 days for 1.0% yeast, approx. 6 versus 8). Some degree of glucose removal was observed in the example without yeast addition, but the conversion was very slow (note 5).

Table 4

Example one 2 3 four Enzyme Blend (%) Fresh baker's yeast 0.20% 0.20% 0.20% - Binder PUF 1.8% 1.8% 1.8% - glucose syrup 0.77% 0.77% 0.77% - fibers 77% 77% 77% - Moisture twenty% twenty% twenty% - _{NaH2PO4 _} - 0.20% - - AcOH - - 0.10% - Fermentation conditions Temperature room room room - Measurement time (days) one one one - Initial pH 6.0 6.0 6.0 - Final pH 6.0 6.0 6.0 - Glucose removal Decrease >25% (days) one one one - Reduction >50% (days) one one one - Decrease >75% (days) one one one - Reduction >90% (days) one one one - Test bar compositions (%) Enzyme Blend 34.0 34.0 34.0 Compressive strength (MPa) 3 days 3.3 2.1 2.8 5.9 7 days 5.7 5.2 5.9 8.6

In all fermentation tests, rapid fermentation was observed and >90% glucose removal was found within one day (notes 1-3).

Test bars made from materials obtained from these fermentations showed relatively low compressive strength values after 3 days (2.1-3.3 MPa, approx. 1-3) and 7 days (5.2-5.9 MPa, note 1-3). The indicated values are below the reference (5.9 MPa after 3 days; 8.6 MPa after 7 days, note 4).

Example 2: 25% aqueous glucose syrup (32.0 g; thus productive amount of glucose syrup 8.0 g; 24.0 g moisture) was added portionwise with stirring to rod milled waste PUF (868.4 g ; 2.1% binder; 92.1% fibers; 5.8% moisture; thus, the productive amount of binder is 18.2 g; 799.8 g fibers; 50.4 g moisture). Stirring was continued for an additional few minutes, and then a mixture of sodium dihydrogen phosphate hydrate (2.37 g; thus a productive amount of sodium dihydrogen phosphate 2.06 g and 0.31 g moisture) and fresh baker's yeast (2.09 g; calculated as anhydrous) in water (132.7 g) with constant stirring. Thus, the enzymatic mixture as a whole initially consisted of 20% of the mass. moisture; 0.20% wt. fresh baker's yeast; 0.77% wt. glucose syrup; 1.8% wt. binder PUF; 0.20% wt. sodium dihydrophosphate and 77% of the mass. fibers. After additional stirring for 10 minutes, the mixture was transferred to a 2.5 L plastic mug and the mug was covered with aluminum foil.

Measurements of glucose content and pH level of aqueous extracts were performed immediately after transferring the mixture into a mug, as well as on the corresponding days after that (at intervals of 1-2 days, depending on the change in glucose content). A sample of the enzyme mixture (16 g, exact weight indicated) was diluted with water (40 g, exact weight indicated) in a 100 ml screw cap bottle and the resulting suspension was shaken for 10 minutes. For HPLC studies, the shaken mixture was filtered and the pH and glucose content of the filtrate were measured (HPLC, double determinations). For purposes of testing with a blood sugar meter, the shaken mixture was simply allowed to settle for a few minutes, and the pH and glucose (blood sugar meter, double counts) of the supernatant were measured.

Table 5

Example one 2 3 four 5 Enzyme Blend (%) Fresh baker's yeast 0.20% 0.20% 0.20% 0.20% - Alkanolamine - anhydride resin
w - glucose syrup 2.1% 2.1% 2.1% 2.1% - fibers 78% 77% 78% 78% - Moisture twenty% twenty% twenty% twenty% - _{NaH2PO4 _} 0.20% 0.40% - - - AcOH - - 0.10% 0.20% - Fermentation conditions Temperature room room room room - Measurement time (days) 12 12 12 12 - Time to briquetting (days) eight eight eight eight - Initial pH 8.0 7.5 8.5 8.5 - Final pH 8.7 8.7 8.1 7.6 - Glucose removal Decrease >25% (days) four four four four - Reduction >50% (days) four four four four - Decrease >75% (days) four four four four - Reduction >90% (days) four four 12 12 - Reduction per day of briquetting (%) >97 >96 >78 >88 - Composition of briquettes (%) Enzyme Blend 31.6 31.6 31.6 31.6 - Wool milled in a rod mill - - - - 30.0 Cement 52.5R 9.8 9.8 9.8 9.8 10.0 Briquette details Weight (kg) 2.17 2.23 2.43 2.22 2.07 Height (mm) 131.4 132.6 138.4 133.4 140.4 Density (kg / dm ³ ) 2.10 2.14 2.23 2.11 1.88 Compressive strength, 3 days (MPa) 5.4 4.8 8.8 6.8 4.1

The results of fermentation and briquetting are given on the basis of the implementation of the fermentation of waste ground on a rod mill with a binder alkanolamine-anhydride resin w - glucose syrup on a scale of 1 ton. The following fermentation conditions were used: 20% moisture; 0.2% fresh baker's yeast; 2.1% binder alkanolamine anhydride resin w - glucose syrup and 0.1-0.4% sodium dihydrogen phosphate or acetic acid.

Fermentations were completed within 4-12 days (note 1-4). Fermentation reactions started at a pH of 7-8.5 (lowest in the presence of 0.2-0.4% sodium dihydrogen phosphate) and ended at about 7.5-9 (lowest in the presence of 0.1-0. 2% acetic acid). Fermentation reactions proceeded faster when carried out in the presence of 0.2-0.4% sodium dihydrogen phosphate than in the presence of 0.1-0.2% acetic acid (4 days vs. 12 days to remove >90% glucose, approx. 1- 2 vs 3-4).

Fermented waste was used in the production of briquettes after 8 days of fermentation. During this period of time, the two fermentations carried out in the presence of sodium dihydrogen phosphate were almost completed, while the two fermentations carried out in the presence of acetic acid reached a degree of glucose removal of about 80-90%. Higher briquette strengths were achieved at the lowest additive content, and acetic acid as an additive resulted in stronger briquettes than sodium dihydrogen phosphate. Three of the four fermented waste compositions produced briquettes with a strength greater than 5 MPa after 3 days (0.2% sodium dihydrogen phosphate; 0.1 and 0.2% acetic acid additives, notes 1 and 3-4), while the fourth formulation achieved a similar value (0.1% sodium dihydrogen phosphate as an additive, note 2). Briquettes made from all four fermentative mixtures, after 3 days, were stronger than the standard (4.8-8.8 vs. 4.1 MPa, approx. 1-4 vs. 5). However, this may be partly due to the lower mass and density of the reference briquettes.

Example 1 Mixture of sodium dihydrogen phosphate hydrate (2.6 kg; thus a productive amount of sodium dihydrogen phosphate 2.3 kg and 0.3 kg of moisture) and fresh baker's yeast (2.3 kg; calculated as anhydrous) in water (133 kg ) mixed in portions with rod milled waste (1015 kg; 2.4% binder; 88.1% fibers; 9.5% moisture; thus, the productive amount of binder is 24.4 kg; 894.2 kg of fibers; 96, 4 kg moisture). Thus, the enzymatic mixture as a whole initially consisted of 20% of the mass. moisture; 0.20% wt. fresh baker's yeast; 2.1% wt. binder alkanolamine - anhydride resin w-glucose syrup; 0.20% wt. sodium dihydrophosphate and 78% of the mass. fibers. After additional mixing for 15 minutes, the mixture was transferred to a medium sized 1000 L IBC container, which was then covered with a plastic bag.

Measurements of glucose content and pH level of aqueous extracts were performed immediately after transferring the mixture to the IBC container, as well as on the appropriate days after that (at intervals of 1-2 days, depending on the change in glucose content). A sample of the enzyme mixture (50 g, exact weight indicated) was diluted with water (50 g, exact weight indicated) in a 100 ml screw cap bottle and the resulting suspension was shaken for 10 minutes. For HPLC studies, the shaken mixture was filtered and the pH and glucose content of the filtrate were measured (HPLC, double determinations). For purposes of testing with a blood sugar meter, the shaken mixture was simply allowed to settle for a few minutes, and the pH and glucose (blood sugar meter, double counts) of the supernatant were measured.

After 8 days of fermentation (>97% glucose reduction), the fermentation mixture is used in the production of test bars.

Table 6

Example one 2 3 four 5 6 7 eight Enzyme Blend (%) Fresh baker's yeast - eight% eighteen% 7% 12% ten% four% four% alkanolamine anhydride resin w – glucose syrup 7% 7% fifteen% 12% 16% 17% eighteen% eighteen% fibers ten% 9% twenty% 16% 22% 23% 24% 24% Moisture 83% 76% 46% 66% fifty% 51% 54% 54% Fermentation conditions Temperature com. com. com. com. com. com. com. com. Measurement time (hours) 72 2 3 3 four four 7 eight Initial pH 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 Final pH 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 Glucose removal >25% reduction (hours) >72 1.0 1.0 1.3 2.1 2.0 4.2 4.8 >50% reduction (hours) >72 1.0 2.2 2.0 3.2 2.5 5.2 4.8 >75% reduction (hours) >72 1.5 2.2 2.5 3.2 3.5 6.8 6.1 >90% reduction (hours) >72 1.5 2.8 3.0 3.2 4.0 6.8 7.2

The results show that it is possible to remove >90% of the glucose content in spin box filters (SCFs) in just a few hours, depending on conditions (notes 2-8). The yeast content of these suspension fermentations was high (4-18%) as the yeast was now concentrated on the SCFs only. Accordingly, the binder content was also very high (7-18%). As might be expected, there was a general trend towards faster fermentation due to high moisture concentrations (>60%, notes 2 and 4) and/or high yeast content (>4%, notes 2-6).

When carrying out these fermentations with a high concentration of moisture, no additives were required. Although it is possible that additives such as those used in previous trials may further increase fermentation rates. A control without yeast addition did not show a significant reduction in glucose over 72 hours (Note 1).

Table 7

Example one 2 3 four 5 6 Spinning box filter (SCF) fermentation mix (%) - - Fresh baker's yeast four% 12% - four% 12% - alkanolamine - anhydride resin w - glucose syrup eighteen% 16% - eighteen% 16% - fibers 24% 22% - 24% 22% - Moisture 54% fifty% - 54% fifty% - SCF fermentation conditions Temperature room room - room room - Time to next stage (hours) 25 eight - 25 eight - Initial pH 5.0 5.0 - 5.0 5.0 - Final pH 5.0 5.0 - 5.0 5.0 - Removal of glucose from SCF >90% reduction (hours) 7.2 3.2 - 7.2 3.2 - Rod Mill Wool Fermentation Blend (RMW) (%) baker's yeast 0.24% 0.70% 0.59% 0.24% 0.70% 0 58% alkanolamine - anhydride resin w - glucose syrup 1.2% 1.2% 1.6% 2.1% 2.1% 2.8% fibers 78% 78% 78% 77% 77% 77% Fibers from SCF filters 1.4% 1.3% - 1.3% 1.3% - Moisture twenty% twenty% twenty% twenty% twenty% 19% RMW fermentation conditions Temperature room room room room room room Measurement time (days) 21 2 46 70 5 63 Initial pH 8.5 8.0 8.5 8.0 7.5 8.5 Final pH 7.5 6.5 6.5 7.5 6.5 5.5 Removal of glucose from RMW Decrease >25% (days) fourteen one 22 ten one 26 Reduction >50% (days) fourteen 2 36 21 2 42 Decrease >75% (days) 21 2 42 63 four 57 Reduction >90% (days) 21 2 46 70 5 63

Two-stage fermentations were carried out first by carrying out suspension fermentation of SCF filters, and then adding a certain amount of the indicated fermented mixture to the model waste milled in a rod mill with a binder alkanolamine anhydride resin w - glucose syrup. The fermented SCF filter mixtures were added in such an amount that would lead to a total yeast concentration of 0.2-0.7%, and so that the fibers obtained from the fermentation of the SCF filters were 1.3-1.4% of total weight of the enzyme mixture. For comparison, two examples are included, made by direct fermentation of rod milled model wastes with a binder alkanolamine - anhydride resin w - glucose syrup (notes 3 and 6).

The results obtained for the two-stage fermentation of rod milled model wastes with the binder alkanolamine - anhydride resin w - glucose syrup (notes 1-2 and 4-5) demonstrate that it is indeed possible to carry out the fermentations as a two-stage process by first rapidly fermenting the SCF filters and then transferring said mixture to the remaining rod milled waste to complete the overall fermentation.

Example 2, first stage: Spinbox filters with alkanolamine-anhydride resin binder w-glucose syrup (250 g; 37.3% binder; 49.9% fibres; 12.8% moisture; thus a production amount of binder 93.3 g; 124.8 g fibers; 32.0 g moisture) were cut into approximately 5x5x5 cm blocks and then stirred in water (250 g) for 25 minutes at room temperature. To the resulting slurry was added a mixture of fresh baker's yeast (65.9 g; calculated as anhydrous) and continued slow stirring for 8 hours at room temperature before using the resulting mixture in the next stage. Thus, the enzymatic mixture as a whole initially consisted of 50% of the mass. moisture; 12% wt. fresh baker's yeast; 16% wt. binder alkanolamine anhydride resin w - glucose syrup and 22% of the mass. fibers.

Measurements of glucose content and pH level of aqueous extracts were performed immediately after mixing all the ingredients, as well as at the appropriate time points after that (at intervals of 1-2 h, depending on the change in glucose content). A sample of the enzyme mixture (0.5 g; exact weight indicated) was diluted with water (7.5 g; exact weight indicated) in a small beaker and the resulting suspension was shaken for 1 minute. For HPLC studies, the shaken mixture was filtered and the pH and glucose content of the filtrate were measured (HPLC, double determinations). For purposes of testing with a blood sugar meter, the shaken mixture was simply allowed to settle for a few minutes, and the pH and glucose (blood sugar meter, double counts) of the supernatant were measured.

Second stage: 20% moisture, 0.7% fresh baker's yeast, 1.2% alkanolamine anhydride resin binder w-glucose syrup.

The binder alkanolamine - anhydride resin w - glucose syrup (68.0 g; 18.0% solids; thus, the productive amount of the binder is 12.2 g and 55.8 g of moisture) was added in portions with stirring to the ground on a rod mill waste, heat-treated (780 g). Stirring was continued for an additional few minutes, and then water (121.4 g) was added in portions with constant stirring. With stirring, a portion of the mixture containing the fermented spinbox filters obtained in the first stage (51.6 g; 26.4% fibers; 59.7% moisture; 13.9% yeast, assuming that all solids of the binder turned into CO ₂ and evaporated, while all other components remain unchanged; thus, the productive amount of fibers is 13.6 g; 30.8 g of moisture; 7.2 g of yeast). Thus, the enzymatic mixture as a whole initially consisted of 20% of the mass. moisture; 0.70% wt. fresh baker's yeast; 1.2% wt. binder alkanolamine - anhydrous resin w - glucose syrup and 78% of the mass. fibers. After additional stirring for 10 minutes, the mixture was transferred to a 2.5 L plastic mug and the mug was covered with aluminum foil.

Measurements of glucose content and pH level of aqueous extracts were performed immediately after transferring the mixture into a mug, as well as on the appropriate days after that (at intervals of 2-7 days, depending on the change in glucose content). A sample of the enzyme mixture (10 g, exact weight indicated) was diluted with water (75 g, exact weight indicated) in a 100 ml screw cap bottle and the resulting suspension was shaken for 10 minutes. For HPLC studies, the shaken mixture was filtered and the pH and glucose content of the filtrate were measured (HPLC, double determinations). For purposes of testing with a blood sugar meter, the shaken mixture was simply allowed to settle for a few minutes, and the pH and glucose (blood sugar meter, double counts) of the supernatant were measured.

Claims (34)

1. Compact body in the form of a briquette, suitable for use as part of a mineral load in the production of artificial vitreous fibers, while said compact body contains: a) a product obtained by treating a substrate by a process for reducing the carbohydrate content of a mineral wool material, the material comprising a carbohydrate-containing binder, the method comprising the step of treating the substrate containing the material with one or more microorganisms capable of metabolizing carbohydrate, and /or an extract of one or more microorganisms capable of carbohydrate metabolism; b) cement binder. 2. Compact body according to claim 1, wherein the method includes the step of finely grinding the material, preferably by grinding the material in a rod mill. 3. A compact body according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the material comprises one or more of the following: spin box filters, auger waste, edge cuttings, wash waste, spinner box unfinished cobs, spin box cleaning waste, screw waste spinning machine, hardened waste, spinning box filter mats. 4. A compact body according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in the processing step the substrate contains water in an amount of more than 40 wt.% to 90 wt.%, preferably from 50 to 76 wt.%, based on the total weight of the substrate. 5. A compact body according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, in which at the stage of processing one or more microorganisms are present in an amount of from 0.0125×10 ⁹ to 10×10 ⁹ , preferably from 0.1×10 ⁹ to 5×10 ⁹ microorganisms/ grams based on the total weight of the substrate and microorganisms and/or extract of microorganisms. 6. A compact body according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the extract is present in the treatment step in an amount of 0.5 to 25% by weight, preferably 4 to 18% by weight, based on the total weight of the substrate and microorganisms and/or of the microorganism extract . 7. A compact body according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, prior to the processing step, the material has a carbohydrate content of 0.1 to 35, preferably 0.5 to 25% by weight of carbohydrate, based on the total weight of the material. 8. A compact body according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the substrate treatment step takes place at a temperature of 10 to 50°C, preferably 15 to 45°C. 9. A compact body according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the substrate treatment step takes place over a period of 1-72 hours, preferably 6-24 hours. 10. Compact body according to any one of paragraphs. 1-3, in which at the stage of processing the substrate contains water in an amount of from 10 to 40 wt.%, preferably from 20 to 40 wt.%, based on the total weight of the substrate. 11. The compact body according to claim 10, in which at the stage of processing one or more microorganisms are present in an amount of from 0.000625×10 ⁹ to 2.5×10 ⁹ , preferably from 0.005×10 ⁹ to 1.5×10 ⁹ microorganisms /gram based on the total weight of the substrate and microorganisms and/or extract of microorganisms. 12. Compact body according to any one of paragraphs. 10, 11, in which the extract is present in the processing step in an amount of from 0.05 to 15 wt.%, preferably from 0.2 to 5 wt.%, based on the total weight of the substrate, microorganisms and/or extract of microorganisms. 13. Compact body according to any one of paragraphs. 10-12, in which at the stage of processing the substrate contains a fermentation accelerator, preferably in the form of a mineral or organic acid, or any salt thereof. 14. A compact body according to claim 13, wherein in the processing step the fermentation accelerator is one or more substances from the group consisting of phosphoric acids and/or phosphates, acetic acid and/or any of its salts. 15. A compact body according to claim 13 or 14, in which at the stage of processing the substrate contains a fermentation accelerator in an amount of from 0.01 to 5 wt.%, preferably from 0.05 to 0.4 wt.%, based on the total weight of the substrate , microorganisms and/or extract of microorganisms. 16. Compact body according to any one of paragraphs. 10-15, in which, prior to the processing step, the material has a carbohydrate content of 0.05 to 10, preferably 0.25 to 4% by weight of carbohydrate, based on the total weight of the material. 17. Compact body according to any one of paragraphs. 10-16, wherein the method includes the step of treating the substrate at a temperature of 10 to 50°C, preferably 15 to 45°C. 18. Compact body according to any one of paragraphs. 10-17, wherein the method includes the step of treating the substrate for a period of 3 hours to 30 days, preferably 1 to 3 days. 19. A compact body according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the method includes at least two steps, in which: (i) treating the substrate according to claim 4, and (ii) treating the combined substrate of the product of step (i) and the substrate of claim 10. 20. Compact body according to claim 19, in which stage (i) includes one or more of the features specified in any of paragraphs. 5-9. 21. The compact body according to claim 19 or 20, in which stage (ii) includes one or more of the features specified in any of paragraphs. 10-18. 22. Compact body according to any one of paragraphs. 19-21, wherein the substrate to be treated in step (i) contains spinbox filters. 23. A compact body according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the carbohydrate-containing binder used in the manufacture of the mineral wool material contains phenol-formaldehyde resole and the carbohydrate is selected from a sugar such as dextrose. 24. Compact body according to any one of paragraphs. 1-22, in which the carbohydrate-containing binder used in the production of mineral wool material further contains: (a) a polybasic carboxylic acid component or any salt thereof and/or an inorganic acid or any salt thereof; (b) a component selected from the group consisting of amine compounds, ammonia; and optionally (c) the reaction product of a polybasic carboxylic acid component or anhydride thereof with an alkanolamine component. 25. Compact body according to any one of paragraphs. 1-22 or 24, wherein the carbohydrate-containing binder used in the production of mineral wool material contains a carbohydrate selected from a hexose such as dextrose, fructose; pentoses such as xylose and/or sucrose; glucose syrup. 26. A compact body according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more microorganisms for treating the substrate are selected from the group consisting of fungi, yeasts, preferably yeasts containing a culture of saccharomyces cerevisiae, and/or bacteria, in particular genera lactobacillus, leuconostoc, pediococcos, and/or bifidobacteria.