Abstract: An insulating composition having a polymer resin, a nanoclay, and one or more nanofillers. The insulating composition has a thermal conductivity of greater than about 0.8 W/mK, a dielectric constant of less than about 5, a dissipation factor of less than about 3%, and a breakdown strength of greater than about 1,000 V/mil. The insulating composition has an endurance life of at least 400 hours at 310 volts per mil.

Abstract: An insulating composition having a polymer resin, a nanoclay, and one or more nanofillers. The insulating composition has a thermal conductivity of greater than about 0.8 W/mK, a dielectric constant of less than about 5, a dissipation factor of less than about 3%, and a breakdown strength of greater than about 1,000V/mil. The insulating composition has an endurance life of at least 400 hours at 310 volts per mil.

Abstract: Recycled or brown paper board is provided having a surface with a coating having one or more layers, at least one coating layer comprising one or more copolymers selected from the group consisting of styrene-acrylic-based copolymers, styrene-butadiene-based copolymers, and mixtures thereof, wherein the average Tg of the copolymers present in the coating layer is 25° C. or greater and the average polymer particle size of the copolymers present in the coating layer is 130 nm or greater. A method of producing a coated recycled paper board or brown paper board and a coating composition are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention involves an environmentally friendly process and apparatus for the delignification of lignin-containing materials, such as cardboard newspaper or agricultural or tree pruning wastes. This process produces cellulose using low temperatures and low concentrations of hydrogen peroxide. It can be performed using a column fitted with a semipermeable gasket that pressurizes the column by retaining oxygen released by action of the hydrogen peroxide on a lignin-containing material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for treating pulp comprising a step, wherein the pulp is treated with distilled percarboxylic acid, such as distilled per-carboxylic acid (dPAA), and peroxide, such as hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: Pulp fiber containing little ash is effectively recovered from a used sanitary product containing the pulp fiber and a polymer absorbent. The method according to the present invention comprises: a step for treating the used sanitary product with an ozone-containing gas and thus decomposing and removing at least a portion of the polymer absorbent in the used sanitary product; and a step for stirring the used sanitary product, that has been treated with the ozone-containing gas, in water or an aqueous solution containing an antiseptic and thus decomposing the used sanitary product into constituents. If required, the method may further comprise a step for separating the pulp fiber from the decomposition product obtained by the decomposition step.

Abstract: Provided is a shoe that includes: a bottom surface that is adjacent to the ground in normal use; a sole that forms at least a portion of the bottom surface; an upper portion extending above the sole; and individual particles bonded to the bottom surface of the shoe. The individual particles include at least one of corn husk, hemp or a natural plant material that has been ground into the individual particles.

Abstract: A method of splitting hollow cellulosic fibers employs the steps of wetting the fibers, feeding the wet fibers to a gaseous flow, and conducting the gaseous flow carrying the fibers through a venturi tube, the pressure drop in the venturi tube throat bringing a pressure difference between liquid inside the fibers and gas outside of the fibers and causing the fibers to split in their longitudinal direction, to open the lumen inside the fibers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for reducing the negative effects of adhesive contaminants in the processing of waste paper, wherein an aqueous polymer dispersion comprising one component A and one component B for coagulation and detackification of stickies is added during the processing of waste paper, wherein component A is a homo- and/or copolymer of methyl methacrylate, acrylate and/or styrene and component B is a styrene copolymer having acrylic acid, maleimide and/or maleic acid hydride. The polymer dispersion can optionally comprise another component C, a cationic fixing agent that supports the coagulation of the stickies.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for exploiting coated paper products such as coated paper cups. End products include biofuels that have a high energy density. The biofuels may be mixed with coal or other fuels and have good binding characteristics. In some embodiments, useful chemicals such as HMF are produced. The methods involve heat treatment at relatively mild temperatures and pressures under acidic conditions.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for deinking printed waster paper—particularly methods that use a deinking composition that includes a hydrophobically-modified inorganic particle (“MIP”) to improve ink collection efficiency under traditional alkaline, reduced alkali, and true neutral deinking conditions. Deinking compositions are provided that include a hydrophobically-MIP substrate, a nonionic surfactant, and a fatty acid, or mixtures thereof. The improved ink collection of the present invention can result in deinked pulp of high quality and/or yields that has excellent brightness and effective residual ink concentrations (“ERIC”) values.

Abstract: A method is described controlling enzymatic decomposition of peroxide comprising contacting a composition containing a peroxide decomposing enzyme with an aldehyde functional polymer added in an amount effective to control the enzyme. There also is a method described for bleaching cellulose pulp, such as recycled paper pulp or other pulps, with an aldehyde functional polymer introduced in an amount effective to control peroxide decomposing enzymes present in the pulp being bleached. Paper products containing the aldehyde functional polymer used to control peroxide decomposing enzymes in a bleaching treatment of cellulose pulp are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for exploiting coated paper products such as coated paper cups. End products include biofuels that have a high energy density. The biofuels may be mixed with coal or other fuels and have good binding characteristics. In some embodiments, useful chemicals such as HMF are produced. The methods involve heat treatment at relatively mild temperatures and pressures under acidic conditions.

Abstract: There is provided a method of inhibiting the development of a biofilm adjacent a surface, the method comprising intermittently applying a biofilm inhibiting substance to a collection of microorganisms having biofilm developing potential. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for deinking printed waste paper—particularly methods that use a deinking composition that includes a hydrophobically-modified inorganic particle (“MIP”) to improve ink collection efficiency under traditional alkaline, reduced alkali, and true neutral deinking conditions. Deinking compositions are provided that include a hydrophobically-MIP substrate, a nonionic surfactant, and a fatty acid, or mixtures thereof. The improved ink collection of the present invention can result in deinked pulp of high quality and/or yields that has excellent brightness and effective residual ink concentrations (“ERIC”) values.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymer composition for peroxide bleaching of a cellulosic fiber material, said composition being in the form of a stable aqueous polymer solution obtained by bringing in an aqueous medium a first polymer (A) comprising a partly or totally acidic homopolymer of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid or maleic acid, or a copolymer of acrylic acid and/or methacrylic acid with an unsaturated dicarboxylic acid, into contact with a second polymer (B) comprising a polylactone of a poly-alfa-hydroxyacrylic acid in solid form or as a moist powder or as a slurry, said polymer solution having a pH of at most 5. The invention also relates to peroxide bleaching processes.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for deinking printed waste paper—particularly methods that use a deinking composition that includes a hydrophobically-modified inorganic particle (“MIP”) to improve ink collection efficiency under traditional alkaline, reduced alkali, and true neutral deinking conditions. Deinking compositions are provided that include a hydrophobically-MIP substrate, a nonionic surfactant, and a fatty acid, or mixtures thereof. The improved ink collection of the present invention can result in deinked pulp of high quality and/or yields that has excellent brightness and effective residual ink concentrations (“ERIC”) values.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for bleaching a cellulosic fibre material with a peroxide compound in an aqueous alkaline medium, comprising a bleaching step wherein: a) a first polymer (A) comprising a homopolymer of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid or maleic acid, or a copolymer of acrylic acid and/or methacrylic acid with an unsaturated dicarboxylic acid, and a solution of a second polymer (B) comprising a poly-alpha-hydroxyacrylic acid or a salt thereof, are added to a cellulosic fibre material, and b) thereafter adding a peroxide compound and an alkaline substance and carrying out the bleaching.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for deinking waste paper comprising treating the waste paper with a peroxide compound in an aqueous alkaline medium in the presence of a first polymer (A) comprising a Ca-binding polymer in the form of a polycarboxylate polymer and a second polymer (B) comprising a poly-alfa-hydroxyacrylic acid or a salt thereof or the corresponding polylactone, said process additionally comprising treating the waste paper with at least one non-ionic surfactant or with at least one combination of a non-ionic surfactant and a fatty acid or a salt thereof to promote ink detachment and/or ink removal.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an improved method for refining cellulose that produces a highly refined cellulosic material. The method comprises soaking raw material in a mild NaOH using reduced temperatures and pressures, and refining the material with a plate refiner so that a waste water stream is reduced in volume and has a pH within a range of 8 to 9. The present invention also comprises a HRC gel having a lignin concentration of at least about one (1)% by weight, and a water retention capacity of about 25 to at least about 56 g H2O/g dry HRC.

Abstract: Disclosed is an open flotation de-inking module for recycled paper comprised of a flotation cell having an injector module and air control module used in conjunction to infuse micro air bubbles into pulp slurry to optimize the process of separating ink, clay, stickies and other float able contaminants from the recycled pulp slurry by negatively pressurizing the slurry as it accelerates through the injector drawing air from the air control module saturating the slurry with air bubbles before injection into the flotation cell whereupon the contaminants will adhere to the bubbles as they move to the surface forming a foam that is passively skimmed into reject compartments with the decontaminated pulp channeled from the floatation cell for further processing.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved smudge free sanitary sheet made of waste paper and a process of preparing the same through processing the surplus newsprint and more precisely processing used/recycled paper. The sanitary sheets are prepared by the process steps of collecting pre-consumer overprint or post consumer read newspapers; grading the collected waste newspaper; drying and sterilizing the graded newspaper by applying ultraviolet, infrared and/or gamma rays; trimming and cutting the dried sterilized sheets in appropriate sizes; applying on at least one of the sides of the waste newspaper an aqueous coating comprising of a mixture of resin such as bleached shellac, a dye, a germicide such as Benzaikonium Chloride (BC) and/or PCMX (Chloroxylenol), a safe colour, a known deodorant and optionally cosmetic chemicals such as emollient and a foaming agent such as a detergent.

Abstract: Methods for reducing, and in some cases eliminating, fluorescence in pulp and paper, as well as the resulting articles, are provided. The methods destroy fluorescent activity of agents (e.g., whitening agents) which may be present in the pulp during processing. The methods are particularly applicable to recycling processes that use paper that includes fluorescent whitening agents. The methods may be used to produce recycled pulp and paper that, for example, may be suitably used in food grade applications which require no, or minimal, amount of fluorescence. In some cases, the methods also advantageously enable production of recycled pulp and paper that has reduced amounts of phosphorescence.

Abstract: There is provided a method of inhibiting the development of a biofilm adjacent a surface, the method comprising intermittently applying a biofilm inhibiting substance to a collection of microorganisms having biofilm developing potential. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for pulp bleaching. The method comprises the steps of providing a pulp sample for bleaching, the pulp sample stemming from a pulp producing process, providing a bleaching liquor comprising water and an organic component as solvent components constituting a bleaching medium, dissolved within are at least a bleaching agent, and a basic agent; and subjecting the pulp sample to the bleaching liquor for a predefined amount of time at predefined bleaching conditions. A preferred bleaching agent is hydrogen peroxide. The organic component amounts to at least 5% in weight of the bleaching medium.

Abstract: A process for producing high bulk cellulosic fiber exhibiting a durable elevated curl index includes: (a) concurrently heat treating and convolving cellulosic fiber pulp at elevated temperature and pressure at high consistency under conditions selected so as to preclude substantial fibrillation and attendant paper strength and fiber bonding development; and (b) recovering the pulp wherein the length weighted curl index of the treated fiber is at least about 20% higher than the length weighted curl index of the fiber prior to the heat treatment and convolving thereof. The curl imparted to the fiber persists upon treatment for 30 minutes in a laboratory disintegrator at 3000 rpm at 1% consistency at a temperature of 125° F. Moreover, the curl may be imparted to the fiber in a disk refiner at very short residence times, on the order of several seconds or less. In general, the process is carried out in the presence of saturated steam at a pressure of from about 5 to about 150 psig.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for pulp bleaching. The method comprises the steps of providing a pulp sample for bleaching, the pulp sample stemming from a pulp producing process, providing a bleaching liquor comprising water and an organic component as solvent components constituting a bleaching medium, dissolved within are at least a bleaching agent, and a basic agent; and subjecting the pulp sample to the bleaching liquor for a predefined amount of time at predefined bleaching conditions. A preferred bleaching agent is hydrogen peroxide. The organic component amounts to at least 5% in weight of the bleaching medium.

Abstract: A method of processing papermaking fiber includes characterizing the initial color of the pulp and the color of the pulp after treatment with a phloroglucinol stain. The color response of the pulp to the stain has been found to be a better indicator of processing needs for secondary pulps in particular and in any event is selective for untreated groundwood as opposed to conventional groundwood identification methods. The color difference is used to target a suitable product for the pulp, to aid in bleaching/deinking strategy or to enable optimization of fiber blending for particular products. In a preferred embodiment the process includes determining changes in CIE L*, a*, b* and brightness values before and after staining of the pulp.

Abstract: In the production of pulp and paper from starch-containing paper, the deinking effect can be improved by including treatment with both a starch-degrading enzyme and a pectate lyase. The process comprises enzyme treatment during or after disintegration of the paper to produce pulp, followed by separation of ink particles.

Abstract: The invention relates to improvements in the bleaching of a lignocellulosic pulp by adding carbon dioxide to provide a beneficial pH profile in the chlorine dioxide bleaching or delignification. The resulting bleached pulp is used in the production of paper or pulp. The invention also relates to the use of carbon dioxide for providing a desired pH profile in a chlorine dioxide bleaching stage.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of stabilizing hydrogen peroxide in an aqueous solution, such as a circulating water slurry, comprising a peroxide, such as hydrogen peroxide. The aqueous solution may include organic matter. The method comprises adding an aldehyde donor, such as a methylolhydantoin, to the solution (or slurry). The inventors have discovered that aldehyde donors significantly reduce the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide by catalase and other peroxide decomposing enzymes, which are often present in recycled paper. As a result, less hydrogen peroxide needs to be added to a solution to effectively bleach organic matter in the solution. Furthermore, aldehyde donors are safe to handle and cost effective. Another embodiment is a method of bleaching recycled papers in a circulating water slurry comprising organic matter. The method comprises adding hydrogen peroxide and an aldehyde donor to the slurry.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions of matter useful in de-inking secondary fibers. A composition according to the invention includes an aqueous solution of an anionic form of a styrene-methacrylic acid copolymer. When a surfactant is used in combination with the copolymers herein described in a de-inking operation, a synergy is observed in that the combination of copolymer and surfactant combination together yield a recycled fiber product having higher brightness level and a lower effective residual ink concentration than recycled fibers produced using either the copolymer or surfactant alone in the same operation.

Abstract: An improved process for the separation of cellulosic fiber from difficult to process coated and inked paper products is disclosed and claimed. This process readily separates the paper pulp fraction substantially free of contaminants from such waste paper products as single and two side polymeric coated board having wet strength resin, single and two side polymeric coated board having no wet strength resin, single and two-sided glossy printer trimmings, ultraviolet (UV) cured ink coated stocks, and mixtures thereof. Preferred embodiments include a process in an inclined pressure vessel equipped with agitating and rotating means operative to reflux the waste material with respect to the inclined axis of the vessel in the presence of steam and chemical aids for a sufficient period of time so as to bring about repulping and separation of the paper fiber fraction and formation of a contaminant-collecting polymer phase.

Abstract: Process for increasing the water retaining ability of fibrous paper stocks. The process includes knead dispersing a fibrous paper stock having a stock concentration of at least about 20% and a temperature greater than about 45° C. A treatment for the knead dispersing is at least about 10 seconds. The process further includes completing a post-treatment phase to a machine tub of a paper machine in a reaction time of no longer than about 30 minutes.

Abstract: A method of stabilizing hydrogen peroxide in an aqueous solution, such as a circulating water slurry, comprising a peroxide, such as hydrogen peroxide. The aqueous solution may include organic matter. The method comprises adding an aldehyde donor, such as a methylolhydantoin, to the solution (or slurry). The inventors have discovered that aldehyde donors significantly reduce the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide by catalase and other peroxide decomposing enzymes, which are often present in recycled paper. As a result, less hydrogen peroxide needs to be added to a solution to effectively bleach organic matter in the solution. Furthermore, aldehyde donors are safe to handle and cost effective. Another embodiment is a method of bleaching recycled papers in a circulating water slurry comprising organic matter. The method comprises adding hydrogen peroxide and an aldehyde donor to the slurry.

Abstract: A method of treating wood-fiber pump, particularly wood-fiber pulp that contains recycled paper, comprises delivering the pulp to and advancing the pulp in a heating zone while delivering steam to the heating zone. The pulp is finely-divided in a disperser and the finely-divided pulp delivered to a screw press without separate departure of steam, so as to compact the pulp in the end of the screw press and therewith form a plug seal. At the same time, one or more bleaching chemicals is or are supplied during one or more treatment stages, and the temperature of the pulp is regulated to obtain an optimal bleaching process or optimal bleaching processes. The temperature of the pulp can be raised or lowered by supplying steam or water thereto respectively. The invention also relates to a plant for carrying out the method.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for reducing fluorescence in a paper-containing sample. Methods for destroying fluorescent whitening agents in a paper-containing sample are also provided.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting the autooxidation of fatty acids in a paper product made from pulp fiber is accomplished by adding to the pulp fiber between about 1 mole/metric ton and about 25 moles/metric ton, preferably between about 2 moles/metric ton and about 10 moles/metric ton of an oxidizing halogen.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for reducing fluorescence in a paper-containing sample. Methods for destroying fluorescent whitening agents in a paper-containing sample are also provided.

Abstract: A deinking method comprising the steps of liberating ink from waste paper as a raw material and removing the liberated ink from a flotation system, wherein a nonionic surfactant, e.g., a reaction product obtained by adding an alkylene oxide to a mixture of an oil & fat and an alcohol, an alkylene oxide adduct of a fatty acid, or an alkylene oxide adduct of a higher alcohol, is used for the liberation of ink, and the flotation step is effected in the presence of a cationic compound, an amine, an acid salt of an amine or an amphoteric compound at a pH of from 4 to 9, provides a high quality deinked pulp having a high whiteness and a little residual ink spots.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for deinking and decolorizing a printed paper, comprising: (a) pulping the printed paper to obtain a pulp slurry; (b) dislodging an ink from the pulp slurry with one or more enzymes; (c) decolorizing the dye contained in the pulp slurry with one or more laccases in the presence of oxygen and optionally one or more chemical mediators; (d) separating the released ink from the pulp slurry; and (e) recovering the decolorized pulp. The present invention also relates to decolorized pulps prepared by such methods and to methods for producing recycled paper.

Abstract: A method of de-inking cellulosic fibrous materials comprising: a. admixing an alkaline reagent selected from the group consisting of ammonium hydroxide and hydrogen peroxide and mixtures thereof with an aqueous suspension of inked cellulosic fibrous material such that they react at the ink particle/cellulosic fiber interfaces to dislodge ink particles from the cellulosic materials; and b. removing the dislodged ink particles from the aqueous suspension.

Abstract: In a deinking process at least comprising the step of stripping ink from wastepaper as the starting material and the step of removing the stripped ink from a flotation system, the contact angle of the aqueous solution portion of a slurry containing the stripped ink with the interfaces of ink particles in the flotation step is controlled to be at least 70°.

Abstract: Recycled paper pulp having at least two different types of paper which consume widely different amounts of bleaching chemical, or mixed hardwood and soft-wood pulps, are treated in a manner that enhances distribution and redistribution of bleaching chemical to enhance uniformity of the bleaching treatment. The pulp is intensely mixed to provide a homogenous mixture of fibrous material and bleaching chemical, and then is continuously or intermittently subjected to mechanical action (such as in low intensity mixers, or by agitating pulp in a retention tank) of sufficient intensity and duration so as to enhance distribution and redistribution of a bleaching chemical. Also, recycled pulp will have cleanliness which varies significantly over time, and this is accommodated by sensing at least one of the brightness, color, or lignin content (e.g.

Abstract: A method of bleaching secondary fibers. A secondary fiber pulp is first slushed and then transferred at a consistency of 20-40% to a disperser. In the disperser, the secondary fiber pulp is mechanically treated and mixed so that ink particles in the secondary fiber pulp are dispersed throughout the secondary fiber pulp. While the secondary fiber pulp is being treated and mixed in the disperser, oxygen is delivered to the disperser so as to distribute the oxygen within the secondary fiber pulp.

Abstract: A process for producing a thiourea dioxide fluid by mixing thiourea and a peroxide, or thiourea, a peroxide and a reaction catalyst, or thiourea, a peroxide, a reaction catalyst and a chelating agent, in the absence or presence of pulp and a process for bleaching pulp by the use of the thiourea dioxide fluid produced by the above process economically advantageously with a small chemicals loss and by small consumption of energy.

Abstract: A process for increasing a degree of whiteness of paper pulp may include bring paper fiber pulp, which may at least partially include printed waste paper, into a suspension with water. The suspension may be mixed with bleaching aids and bleaching chemicals. The bleaching chemicals may preferably contain molecular oxygen. Intensely mechanically treating the pulp, e.g., at at least 20 kWh/to, prior to bleaching the pulp suspension. The bleaching period may take at least 10 minutes, with a pressure above the atmospheric pressure being exerted during the bleaching. After bleaching, a major portion of remaining color print particles may be removed from the bleached pulp.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for sanitizing post-consumer wastepaper fibers for liquid packages and containers, a paper product for food packaging and a liquid food container. The process comprises providing paper fibers from a wastepaper recycle process, adding water to the paper fibers to achieve a slurry, de-watering the slurry to obtain a paper fiber stream and passing the fiber stream through a mixing device while heating the fiber stream and supplying hydrogen peroxide in the mixing device.

Abstract: A waste paper treatment process for the recycle and re-use of waste paper, which process comprises treating the waste paper, in a repulper, with a surfactant, in the absence of traditional repulper chemicals such as silicate, caustic and peroxide. The surfactant is preferably a copolymer of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, and is used in a sufficient concentration to form ink agglomerates. The ink agglomerates are retained on the paper, rather than being removed as in waste paper deinking. The process permits the elimination of normal repulper chemicals, and reduces the amount of ink sludge generated, while providing acceptable brightness levels for the recycled pulp.

Abstract: A method and composition for suppressing or inhibiting the decomposing action of enzymes on hydrogen peroxide, e.g. peroxidase and catalase, during bleaching of cellulose fibres with hydrogen peroxide, especially in connection with the production of recycled paper, in such a way that microorganisms are not markedly affected, and discharges that are dangerous to the environment are minimized. The composition contains hydroxylamine, thiocyanate salts, formic acid, ascorbic acid or nitrites.