Patents by Inventor Juhana Ahola

Juhana Ahola has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11891499
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a granular microfibrillated cellulose product comprising a microfibrillated cellulose originating from agricultural biomass, said microfibrillated cellulose product comprising ?75 wt % of cellulose, preferably ?70 wt %, based on dry solids content of said product, wherein said granular microfibrillated cellulose product has a bulk density of 500-1200 kg/m3; a flowability of 5-60 ml/s, measured by a Copley scientific powder flowability tester having a stainless steel cylinder with orifice 16 or funnel with orifice 15; and a water content of at most 60 wt %, based on total microfibrillated cellulose product. The present invention further relates to its manufacture and use in and manufacture of paper and paperboard products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: KEMIRA OYJ
    Inventors: Juhana Ahola, Kaisa Karisalmi, Christos Rampotas, Perttu Heiska, Mika Suvanto
  • Publication number: 20240018726
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for reducing bacterial endospores in an aqueous fibre suspension comprising recycled cellulosic fibres, wherein the fibre suspension has an original endospore amount, preferably of ?10 000 CFU/ml. The method comprises adjusting the pH of the fibre suspension to a pH value of ?6.5, adjusting the oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) of the fibre suspension to an ORP value of ?200 mV with a first oxidizing agent, and introducing an amount of performic acid as a second oxidizing agent to the fibre suspension for reducing the bacterial endospores to an endospore amount of ?1000 CFU/ml.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Inventors: Marko KOLARI, Juhana AHOLA
  • Patent number: 11598051
    Abstract: A method includes forming an aqueous fibre suspension including cellulosic fibres from one or more raw material flows, and applying at least one chemical and/or physical control measure to the aqueous fibre suspension or at least one of its raw material flows for control of microbial activity in the aqueous fibre suspension or the raw material flow before an inlet of an intermediate residence entity. In this manner a starting ORP value for the aqueous fibre suspension is obtained. The aqueous fibre suspension is in the intermediate residence entity at least a minimum delay time. A final ORP value is measured for the aqueous fibre suspension after an outlet of the intermediate residence entity before the formation of the fibrous web. An ORP difference value between the starting ORP and final ORP values is calculated. Finally, the aqueous fibre suspension is formed into a fibrous web and dried.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Kemira Oyj
    Inventors: Jaakko Ekman, Marko Kolari, Juhana Ahola
  • Patent number: 11530514
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a fibrous web, such as web of paper, board, tissue or the like is disclosed. The method includes obtaining at least one fibre suspension of lignocellulosic and/or cellulosic fibres and feeding the fibre suspension into an intermediate residence entity. The fibre suspension including bacterial endospores, is discharged out of the intermediate residence entity via an outlet after a residence time of at least 2 hours in the intermediate residence entity and after a time delay the fibre suspension is formed into a fibrous web. Bacterial endospores are sensitized by adding a germinant surfactant including a primary or secondary ammonium head group and a linear unsubstituted C12-alkyl tail, to the fibre suspension at an addition point located at a lower part of the intermediate residence entity or after the outlet of the intermediate residence entity, but before the formation of the fibrous web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Kemira Oyj
    Inventors: Juhana Ahola, Marko Kolari
  • Patent number: 11160282
    Abstract: The invention relates to use of a composition comprising a cationic surfactant, which comprises a primary or secondary ammonium head group and a linear unsubstituted C12-alkyl tail, for inducing germination of bacterial endospores in pulp suspension for making of paper, board or the like. The invention relates also to a method for quantitatively reducing bacterial endospores in pulp suspension for making of paper, board or the like. The method comprises obtaining of aqueous pulp suspension, and administering the said composition to the pulp suspension. The cationic surfactant is allowed to interact with bacterial endospores in the pulp suspension. Germination of endospores and destroying microorganisms is thus induced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Kemira Oyj
    Inventors: Juhana Ahola, Marko Kolari
  • Publication number: 20210269623
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a granular microfibrillated cellulose product comprising a microfibrillated cellulose originating from agricultural biomass, said microfibrillated cellulose product comprising ?75 wt % of cellulose, preferably ?70 wt %, based on dry solids content of said product, wherein said granular microfibrillated cellulose product has a bulk density of 500-1200 kg/m3; a flowability of 5-60 ml/s, measured by a Copley scientific powder flowability tester having a stainless steel cylinder with orifice 16 or funnel with orifice 15; and a water content of at most 60 wt %, based on total microfibrillated cellulose product. The present invention further relates to its manufacture and usein and manufacture of paper and paperboard products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Juhana AHOLA, Kaisa KARISALMI, Christos RAMPOTAS, Perttu HEISKA, Mika SUVANTO
  • Publication number: 20210189646
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a fibrous web, such as web of paper, board, tissue or the like is disclosed. The method includes obtaining at least one fibre suspension of lignocellulosic and/or cellulosic fibres and feeding the fibre suspension into an intermediate residence entity. The fibre suspension including bacterial endospores, is discharged out of the intermediate residence entity via an outlet after a residence time of at least 2 hours in the intermediate residence entity and after a time delay the fibre suspension is formed into a fibrous web. Bacterial endospores are sensitized by adding a germinant surfactant including a primary or secondary ammonium head group and a linear unsubstituted C12-alkyl tail, to the fibre suspension at an addition point located at a lower part of the intermediate residence entity or after the outlet of the intermediate residence entity, but before the formation of the fibrous web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Applicant: Kemira Oyj
    Inventors: Juhana Ahola, Marko Kolari
  • Patent number: 10602749
    Abstract: The invention relates to a foodstuff preservation composition comprising potassium acetate and alkali metal diacetate. The present invention further relates to a use of the foodstuff preservation composition for preventing growth of Listeria strain and mesophilic aerobic bacteria under storage conditions. Additionally it relates to a method for preserving foodstuff, and to a cooked meat product comprising said composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: NIACET b.v.
    Inventors: Angeliki Anagnostou, Juhana Ahola, Dominicus Brendler, Peter Van Kuik, Henk Jan Van Lent, Jukka Hietala, Jeroen Martens
  • Publication number: 20200095730
    Abstract: A method includes forming an aqueous fibre suspension including cellulosic fibres from one or more raw material flows, and applying at least one chemical and/or physical control measure to the aqueous fibre suspension or at least one of its raw material flows for control of microbial activity in the aqueous fibre suspension or the raw material flow before an inlet of an intermediate residence entity. In this manner a starting ORP value for the aqueous fibre suspension is obtained. The aqueous fibre suspension is in the intermediate residence entity at least a minimum delay time. A final ORP value is measured for the aqueous fibre suspension after an outlet of the said intermediate residence entity before the formation of the fibrous web. An ORP difference value between the starting ORP and final ORP values is calculated. Finally, the aqueous fibre suspension is formed into a fibrous web and dried.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Applicant: Kemira Oyj
    Inventors: Jaakko Ekman, Marko Kolari, Juhana Ahola
  • Patent number: 10494679
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for quantitative monitoring of bacterial endospores in an aqueous environment of a paper or board mill. The method comprises at least the following steps: obtaining at least a first aqueous sample originating from the industrial aqueous environment; destroying bacteria in vegetative form in the first sample by a suitable treatment, preferably by heating the first sample to a desired temperature; adding intercalating agent (such as PMA) to the treated first sample and allowing it to interact (e.g. by cross-linking) with the destroyed bacteria, so that the nucleic acid from the destroyed bacteria are unavailable for PCR; and determining the endospore level in the first sample by using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) in which only the DNA from the endospores is available for amplification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Kemira Oyj
    Inventors: Kalle Riihinen, Marko Lauraeus, Marko Kolari, Juhana Ahola
  • Publication number: 20190082697
    Abstract: The invention relates to use of a composition comprising a cationic surfactant, which comprises a primary or secondary ammonium head group and a linear unsubstituted C12-alkyl tail, for inducing germination of bacterial endospores in pulp suspension for making of paper, board or the like. The invention relates also to a method for quantitatively reducing bacterial endospores in pulp suspension for making of paper, board or the like. The method comprises obtaining of aqueous pulp suspension, and administering the said composition to the pulp suspension. The cationic surfactant is allowed to interact with bacterial endospores in the pulp suspension. Germination of endospores and destroying microorganisms is thus induced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Applicant: Kemira Oyj
    Inventors: Juhana AHOLA, Marko KOLARI
  • Publication number: 20180037936
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for quantitative monitoring of bacterial endospores in an aqueous environment of a paper or board mill. The method comprises at least the following steps: obtaining at least a first aqueous sample originating from the industrial aqueous environment; destroying bacteria in vegetative form in the first sample by a suitable treatment, preferably by heating the first sample to a desired temperature; adding intercalating agent (such as PMA) to the treated first sample and allowing it to interact (e.g. by cross-linking) with the destroyed bacteria, so that the nucleic acid from the destroyed bacteria are unavailable for PCR; and determining the endospore level in the first sample by using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) in which only the DNA from the endospores is available for amplification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Applicant: Kemira Oyj
    Inventors: Kalle Riihinen, Marko Lauraeus, Marko Kolari, Juhana Ahola
  • Patent number: 9024066
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for purifying and recovering propionic acid from an aqueous mixture containing a fermentation product obtained from a fermentation process using glycerol as substrate, the method comprising optionally acidifying the aqueous mixture to a pH below 4.5, subjecting the aqueous mixture to an extraction with extracting agent containing a heavy extractant and optionally a light extractant as a diluent to obtain an extract comprising the extracting agent and organic acids, and a raffinate comprising water and any unreacted glycerol, and subjecting the extract to vacuum evaporation to separate propionic acid-containing organic acids from the extractant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Taminco Finland
    Inventors: Tom Granstrom, Juhana Ahola, Jukka Hietala, Esko Tirronen
  • Patent number: 8986606
    Abstract: Processes for biofilm or microorganism growth control in an aqueous system such as a pulp, paper or board manufacturing system are described in which a halogenated hydantoin is added to the aqueous system in combination with haloamine, chlorine dioxide or a combination thereof. The halogenated hydantoin is preferably a fully or partially halogenated dialkyl hydantoin, and more preferably 5,5-dimethyl hydantoin or 5-methyl-5-ethyl hydantoin. The haloamine is preferably a monohaloamine, dihaloamine, trihaloamine, or a combination thereof, and more preferably monochloramine, monobromamine, bromochloroamine or a combination thereof. The halogenated hydantoin is preferably added to the aqueous system in portions of the system susceptible to gas phase corrosion, such as the short loop of the system, and the haloamine and chlorine dioxide are preferably added to other portions of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Kemira Oyj
    Inventors: Mark Nelson, Marko Kolari, Juhana Ahola
  • Publication number: 20140330039
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for purifying and recovering propionic acid from an aqueous mixture containing a fermentation product obtained from a fermentation process using glycerol as substrate, the method comprising optionally acidifying the aqueous mixture to a pH below 4.5, subjecting the aqueous mixture to an extraction with extracting agent containing a heavy extractant and optionally a light extractant as a diluent to obtain an extract comprising the extracting agent and organic acids, and a raffinate comprising water and any unreacted glycerol, and subjecting the extract to vacuum evaporation to separate propionic acid-containing organic acids from the extractant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: TAMINCO FINLAND
    Inventors: Tom Granstrom, Juhana Ahola, Jukka Hietala, Esko Tirronen
  • Publication number: 20130259998
    Abstract: The invention relates to a foodstuff preservation composition comprising potassium acetate and alkali metal diacetate. The present invention further relates to a use of the foodstuff preservation composition for preventing growth of Listeria strain and mesophilic aerobic bacteria under storage conditions. Additionally it relates to a method for preserving foodstuff, and to a cooked meat product comprising said composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: Niacet b.v.
    Inventors: Angeliki Anagnostou, Juhana Ahola, Dominicus Brendler, Peter Van Kuik, Henk Jan Van Lent, Jukka Hietala, Jeroen Martens
  • Publication number: 20090291023
    Abstract: Processes for biofilm or microorganism growth control in an aqueous system such as a pulp, paper or board manufacturing system are described in which a halogenated hydantoin is added to the aqueous system in combination with haloamine, chlorine dioxide or a combination thereof. The halogenated hydantoin is preferably a fully or partially halogenated dialkyl hydantoin, and more preferably 5,5-dimethyl hydantoin or 5-methyl-5-ethyl hydantoin. The haloamine is preferably a monohaloamine, dihaloamine, trihaloamine, or a combination thereof, and more preferably monochloramine, monobromamine, bromochloroamine or a combination thereof. The halogenated hydantoin is preferably added to the aqueous system in portions of the system susceptible to gas phase corrosion, such as the short loop of the system, and the haloamine and chlorine dioxide are preferably added to other portions of the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Inventors: Mark Nelson, Marko Kolari, Juhana Ahola