Abstract: The invention relates to a suspendable scale for weighing a bundle, comprising: a first part for suspending the scale from a structure; a second part for suspending an implement from the scale; a third part joining the first part and second part, the first part, second part, third part being at least partly radially nesting relative to one another; at least two strain gauges connected to the third part; a wireless transmitter for sending the measurement data to an operator; a self-powered power supply for feeding an electric current to the strain gauges and the wireless transmitter; a first space formed in the scale to integrate the wireless transmitter inside the scale; and a second space to integrate the power supply inside the scale. The invention also relates to an arrangement for hoisting a bundle.

Abstract: A process for the separation of a xylose-containing, lignosulphonate-containing Ca-sulfite spent liquor is provided. The process comprises a first step of: (A) chromatographic separation of the Ca- or Mg-sulfite spent liquor using a single pass through a batch-type long resin bed chromatography column having a strong acid cation exchange resin as a separation medium. The ratio of the bed length:mean resin bead diameter of the column is 10,000-40,000. This step yields •a first xylose-rich fraction having a xylose content 50-70 wt. % based on dry solids and • a lignosulphonate-rich fraction. The process further comprises a step of: (B) crystallizing xylose from the first xylose rich fraction by using a crystallization method comprising (i) boiling crystallization; (ii) cooling crystallization or (iii) a combination of (i) and (ii) to obtain a first batch of crystalline xylose and a first xylose run-off.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of xylose and dissolving pulp from xylan-containing biomass, such as hardwood. The invention is based on prehydrolysis of the xylan-containing biomass with SO2 in specified conditions, followed by chromatographic fractionation, nanofiltration or precipitation crystallization of the xylose-containing prehydrolyzate to obtain a xylose product having a xylose content of at least 55% on DS. The dissolving pulp obtained from the process can be used for example for the production of viscose.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved nanofiltration process for separating and recovering components, such as sugars and sugar alcohols from multicomponent mixtures. The process of the invention is characterized by collecting the nanofiltration retentate/permeate in several fractions with different purity, optional recycling of at least one of the collected nanofiltration retentate/permeate fractions to the nanofiltration and recovering the desired component from the nanofiltration permeate/retentate fractions by different methods. In one embodiment of the invention, the process comprises a combination of nanofiltration and chromatography.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved process for the production of a sugar alcohol from the corresponding sugar through catalytic hydrogenation. Especially, the invention relates to a process for reducing the interference of sugar-derived aldonic acids in the hydrogenation process by adjusting the hydrogenation conditions so that the activity of the catalyst is maintained. In one embodiment of the invention, the process of the invention is carried out by adjusting the hydrogenation temperature by starting the hydrogenation at a lower temperature and then gradually rising the temperature to the final hydrogenation temperature. In another embodiment of the invention, the process of the invention is carried out by adding small-molecular monocarboxylic acids to the hydrogenation solution.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nanofiltration process for enriching and concentrating a neutral organic compound into the permeated liquid with negative retention.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved nanofiltration process of recovering xylose from a solution of a plant-based biomass hydrolysate. The process of the present invention is based on the regulation of the xylose flux in the nanofiltration process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to microcrystallized polyol comprising at least two polyols, wherein said polyols are selected from the group consisting of maltitol, xylitol and lactitol and wherein said composition contains at least 35% by weight of each of at least two of said polyols microcrystallized together into a solid microcrystalline product. The present invention also relates to a process for the microcrystallization of polyols into a polyol composition. The microcrystallized polyol composition can be used in confectionery, foodstuffs, oral hygiene products and pharmaceuticals and in dietetic products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a chromatographic separation process for fractionating betaine-containing solutions by utilizing fractions comprising parts of the separation profile as a substituent of the eluent in a novel and inventive manner. The process provides improved separation capacity and separation efficiency without affecting the yield or purity of betaine or other products. The process can especially be applied to sequential SMB separation systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of xylose and dissolving pulp from xylan-containing biomass, such as hardwood. The invention is based on prehydrolysis of the xylan-containing biomass with SO2 in specified conditions, followed by chromatographic fractionation, nanofiltration or precipitation crystallization of the xylose-containing prehydrolyzate to obtain a xylose product having a xylose content of at least 55% on DS. The dissolving pulp obtained from the process can be used for example for the production of viscose.

Abstract: A process for the separation of a xylose-containing, lignosulphonate-containing Ca-sulfite spent liquor is provided. The process comprises a first step of: (A) chromatographic separation of the Ca- or Mg-sulfite spent liquor using a single pass through a batch-type long resin bed chromatography column having a strong acid cation exchange resin as a separation medium. The ratio of the bed length:mean resin bead diameter of the column is 10,000-40,000. This step yields •a first xylose-rich fraction having a xylose content 50-70 wt. % based on dry solids and • a lignosulphonate-rich fraction. The process further comprises a step of: (B) crystallizing xylose from the first xylose rich fraction by using a crystallization method comprising (i) boiling crystallization; (ii) cooling crystallization or (iii) a combination of (i) and (ii) to obtain a first batch of crystalline xylose and a first xylose run-off.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a chromatographic separation process for fractionating solutions containing sugars, sugar alcohols, sugar acids and/or betaine by utilizing fractions comprising parts of the separation profile as a substituent of the eluent in a novel and inventive manner. The starting solutions are typically multicomponent plant-based extracts and hydrolysates, stillages, and fermentation products and derivatives thereof. The process prow vides improved separation capacity and separation efficiency without affecting the yield or purity of product components, such as sugars, sugar alcohols, sugar acids, and betaine. The process can especially be applied to sequential SMB separation systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to microcrystallized polyol comprising at least two polyols, wherein said polyols are selected from the group consisting of maltitol, xylitol and lactitol and wherein said composition contains at least 35% by weight of each of at least two of said polyols microcrystallized together into a solid microcrystalline product. The present invention also relates to a process for the microcrystallization of polyols into a polyol composition. The microcrystallized polyol composition can be used in confectionery, foodstuffs, oral hygiene products and pharmaceuticals and in dietetic products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microcrystallized polyol comprising at least two polyols, wherein said polyols are selected from the group consisting of maltitol, xylitol and lactitol and wherein said composition contains at least 25% by weight of each of at least two of said polyols microcrystallized together into a solid microcrystalline product. The present invention also relates to a process for the microcrystallization of polyols into a polyol composition. The microcrystallized polyol composition can be used in confectionery, foodstuffs, oral hygiene products and pharmaceuticals and in dietetic products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a chromatographic separation process for fractionating betaine-containing solutions by utilizing fractions comprising parts of the separation profile as a substituent of the eluent in a novel and inventive manner. The process provides improved separation capacity and separation efficiency without affecting the yield or purity of betaine or other products. The process can especially be applied to sequential SMB separation systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a chromatographic separation process for fractionating solutions containing sugars, sugar alcohols, sugar acids and/or betaine by utilizing fractions comprising parts of the separation profile as a substituent of the eluent in a novel and inventive manner. The starting solutions are typically multicomponent plant-based extracts and hydrolysates, stillages, and fermentation products and derivatives thereof. The process prow vides improved separation capacity and separation efficiency without affecting the yield or purity of product components, such as sugars, sugar alcohols, sugar acids, and betaine. The process can especially be applied to sequential SMB separation systems.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process of recovering galactose from a solution derived from plant-based biomass. In the process of the invention, the starting solution is subjected to one or more chromatographic fractionation steps, which may carried out with a strongly basic anion exchange resin and optionally with a strongly acid cation exchange resin, in any desired sequence, followed by recovering at least one fraction enriched in galactose. The galactose fraction thus obtained is further purified by crystallization to obtain crystalline galactose. The invention also relates to non-animal derived crystalline D-galactose.

Abstract: Effective processes are provided for the production of xylitol and ethanol and other products from solutions derived from lignocellulose-containing material in biomass. The solutions can be hydrolyzed or partially hydrolyzed before being fermented with microbes. The fermented solution can be distilled and can be subsequently separated, such as, by chromatographic separation, membrane separation, etc. The recovered xylitol solution can be crystallized to provide pure xylitol crystals.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved nanofiltration process for separating and recovering components, such as sugars and sugar alcohols from multicomponent mixtures. The process of the invention is characterized by collecting the nanofiltration retentate/permeate in several fractions with different purity, optional recycling of at least one of the collected nanofiltration retentate/permeate fractions to the nanofiltration and recovering the desired component from the nanofiltration permeate/retentate fractions by different methods. In one embodiment of the invention, the process comprises a combination of nanofiltration and chromatography.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved nanofiltration process of recovering xylose from a solution of a plant-based biomass hydrolysate. The process of the present invention is based on the regulation of the xylose flux in the nanofiltration process.