Automated data-driven system for natural rubber coagulation using coconut water as a coagulant

Abstract

The natural rubber industry covers a wide range of industries, from automotive to healthcare; the efficient and sustainable production of rubber sheets is therefore indispensable. Conventionally, coagulation of rubber involves the use of chemical coagulants like formic acid, which, though effective in their operation, pose serious health risks to workers, including respiratory and skin irritations, especially upon long-term exposure [1]. Besides that, such chemicals contribute to environmental degradation, and shifting toward safer and more sustainable alternatives should be the immediate concern. Coconut water has emerged as a promising natural coagulant due to its inherent acidity, developed during fermentation, which facilitates the coagulation of rubber. It has been reported that the quality of the rubber sheets produced using coconut water is comparable to those produced using chemical agents [2]. In addition, the use of coconut water reduces the health risks for workers and moves toward the global drive to have environmentally friendly industrial practices. However, natural coagulants like coconut water have their own challenges in the application process: variations in environmental conditions and the need for precise monitoring generally create a lack of consistency in production. This paper presents a novel automated system with integration of IoT sensors, machine learning algorithms, and blockchain technology to address some of the issues identified above [3]. IoT sensors monitor, in real-time, critical parameters such as pH, temperature, and coagulation time to maintain optimum conditions along the process. Machine learning models using historical and real-time data predict the quality of rubber sheets to enable the detection of anomalies early on and proactively make adjustments. Blockchain further enhances this with an immutable record of production to ensure traceability and consumer trust [4].