Oyster shell turn into eco-friendly heat pack
Shelly Chen
Published 2020년 10월 19일
According to Fisheries Reserach Institute on Oct. 12, 2020, a water activated heat pack developed from oyster shells is expected to generate at least US$350K annually for the industry.
The heat pack made from oyster shells is not only environmentally friendly and safer than chemical-based alternatives, but also saves 20% in production costs. It can be used for variety of foods, especially in instant food packs.
According to Researcher, Yeh Nien-Tzu, Taiwan discards about 169,000 tonnes of oyster shells per year, with about 42% used for animal feed, 21% for fertilizer and 11% for seed cultivation. As these uses do not provide much “added value,” many tonnes of shells are left to pile up in ocean breeding pools, Yeh said. The institute in 2018 began introducing ways to better utilize the shells in the hope of advancing a circular economy, she added.
Researchers found a way to transform the calcium carbonate in the shells into calcium oxide on contact with water, emitting heat in the process.
In six to seven minutes, a packet heats water to 90°C, which in turn heats an ingredient packet in an upper tray to about 50°C for 20 minutes, the institute said. The institute spent a year developing the flameless cooker, then paired it with a mixed seafood packet it developed to create an instant meal set that seafood producers can easily adjust to their needs, Yeh said, adding that the institute is applying for a patent.
Each packet costs US$0.44 USD to produce, US$0.08 cheaper than other self-heating packets, the institute said.
The heat pack made from oyster shells is not only environmentally friendly and safer than chemical-based alternatives, but also saves 20% in production costs. It can be used for variety of foods, especially in instant food packs.
According to Researcher, Yeh Nien-Tzu, Taiwan discards about 169,000 tonnes of oyster shells per year, with about 42% used for animal feed, 21% for fertilizer and 11% for seed cultivation. As these uses do not provide much “added value,” many tonnes of shells are left to pile up in ocean breeding pools, Yeh said. The institute in 2018 began introducing ways to better utilize the shells in the hope of advancing a circular economy, she added.
Researchers found a way to transform the calcium carbonate in the shells into calcium oxide on contact with water, emitting heat in the process.
In six to seven minutes, a packet heats water to 90°C, which in turn heats an ingredient packet in an upper tray to about 50°C for 20 minutes, the institute said. The institute spent a year developing the flameless cooker, then paired it with a mixed seafood packet it developed to create an instant meal set that seafood producers can easily adjust to their needs, Yeh said, adding that the institute is applying for a patent.
Each packet costs US$0.44 USD to produce, US$0.08 cheaper than other self-heating packets, the institute said.
What to read next
Read more relevant content
By clicking “Accept Cookies,” I agree to provide cookies for statistical and personalized preference purposes. To learn more about our cookies, please read our Privacy Policy.