Abstract: An aqueous adhesive composition and a process for preparing such compositions are disclosed. The composition comprises macromolecular complex comprising (A) a first component comprising (i) a framework element and (ii) a polyphenol, and (B) second component comprising a polypeptide, oligopeptide, amino acid, or polyamine. The framework element comprises (a) a polypeptide, oligopeptide, amino acid, or polyamine, (b) a polysaccharide, oligosaccharide, or monosaccharide, or a saccharide conjugate, or (c) a lignin, a lignan or a lignin conjugate. The polyphenol comprises a tannin, a tannic acid, a flavonoid, or a poly-resorcinol. An adhesive precursor composition comprising the first component is also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for producing pellets or granules comprising fibres of a lignocellulousic material, for use as a feedstock in plastics manufacture, conveying in a dry or wet air stream and applying to the fibres a liquid formulation comprising one or more polymers, monomers, or oligomers, forming the fibres into a solid product, and breaking down the solid product to produce said pellets or granules. Typically the conduit conveys the fibres in a plant for manufacture of fibre board.

Abstract: A process for producing pellets or granules comprising fibres of a lignocellulousic material, for use as a feedstock in plastics manufacture, conveying in a dry or wet air stream and applying to the fibres a liquid formulation comprising one or more polymers, monomers, or oligomers, forming the fibres into a solid product, and breaking down the solid product to produce said pellets or granules. Typically the conduit conveys the fibres in a plant for manufacture of fibre board.

Abstract: A process for producing pellets or granules comprising fibers of a lignocellulousic material, for use as a feedstock in plastics manufacture, conveying in a dry or wet air stream and applying to the fibers a liquid formulation comprising one or more polymers, monomers, or oligomers, forming the fibers into a solid product, and breaking down the solid product to produce said pellets or granules. Typically the conduit conveys the fibers in a plant for manufacture of fiber board.

Abstract: An aqueous adhesive composition and a process for preparing such compositions are disclosed. The composition comprises macromolecular complex comprising (A) a first component comprising (i) a framework element and (ii) a polyphenol, and (B) second component comprising a polypeptide, oligopeptide, amino acid, or polyamine. The framework element comprises (a) a polypeptide, oligopeptide, amino acid, or polyamine, (b) a polysaccharide, oligosaccharide, or monosaccharide, or a saccharide conjugate, or (c) a lignin, a lignan or a lignin conjugate. The polyphenol comprises a tannin, a tannic acid, a flavonoid, or a poly-resorcinol. An adhesive precursor composition comprising the first component is also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for producing a composite product comprising fibers of a lignocellulosic material or natural fibers and a plastics material utilizes a liquid or particulate binder formulation comprising a thermoset resin and a thermoplastic polymer, monomer, or oligomer. A composite product is formed for use as or in forming a feedstock in plastics manufacture may be broken down under heat and mechanical shearing in a plastics extrusion machine to release the major fraction of the fibers, or the product may be useful as an intermediate product in other form or as an end product.

Abstract: A process for removing water and solutes from the lumens of green wood, while leaving the cell walls throughout the wood uniformally fully swollen, comprises subjecting the green wood to supercritical carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A process for removing water and solutes from the lumens of green wood, while leaving the cell walls throughout the wood uniformly fully swollen, comprises subjecting the green wood to supercritical carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A process for producing a composite product comprising fibres of a lignocellulosic material or natural fibres and a plastics material utilises a liquid or particulate binder formulation comprising a thermoset resin and a thermoplastic polymer, monomer, or oligomer. A composite product is formed for use as or in forming a feedstock in plastics manufacture may be broken down under heat and mechanical shearing in a plastics extrusion machine to release the major fraction of the fibres, or the product may be useful as an intermediate product in other form or as an end product.

Abstract: A measuring system comprising: a MIMS probe 1 comprising a membrane inlet 3, a mass spectrometer 2 coupled to the probe, and a vibrator controllable 7 to vibrate the probe 1 to disturb a boundary layer 13 at the membrane inlet 3 when the probe 1 is in a liquid under analysis.

Abstract: A process for producing a thermoformable fibre-plastics composite product comprising lignolcellulosic or natural fibres, particularly but not exclusively useful as an intermediate product in subsequent manufacture, comprises conveying the fibres in a dry or wet air stream and applying to the fibres a thermoplastic binding agent, and forming the fibres into a solid or semi-solid product such as a panel, which is thermoformable. In at least a preferred embodiment the process may be carried out in known plant for manufacture of medium density fibre board.

Abstract: A measuring system comprising: a MIMS probe 1 comprising a membrane inlet 3, a mass spectrometer 2 coupled to the probe, and a vibrator controllable 7 to vibrate the probe 1 to disturb a boundary layer 13 at the membrane inlet 3 when the probe 1 is in a liquid under analysis.

Abstract: A hardener composition and pine bark tannin-containing resin composition are disclosed. The resin composition is formulated to neutral pH in order to reduce the extent of self-polymerisation and provide a satisfactory shelf life. The hardener composition may be mixed with a suitable resin, or the resin composition mixed with a suitable hardener to produce a cold set adhesive which is particularly useful for bonding wood.

Abstract: A process for producing biopolymers comprises passing nitrogen deficient wastewater through a treatment system comprising micro-organisms which grow aerobically in nitrogen deficient wastewater, and controlling the environment in the treatment system by maintaining a sufficiently stable dissolved oxygen level to thereby encourage the growth and/or activity of micro-organisms which produce the biopolymers, and recovering the biomass produced and the biopolymers.

Abstract: A generator (6) directs microwave signals to a waveguide (1) having a linear array of slots (2), and the signals are received by measuring device (5). The local permittivity or moisture content of material adjacent the waveguide (1), such as a stack of timber, may be determined at each slot (2) via regression analysis. The total permittivity or moisture may be determined by averaging measurements obtained for both transmission directions of the waveguide (1). The apparatus may be used for controlling drying parameters, such as drying time, for the material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assessing standing tree stems for readiness for harvesting, or for determining cutting points for processing of felled tree stems, logs, or wood pieces, or for assessing stems, logs, or wood pieces for a particular end use, includes scanning with short-wave or microwave electromagnetic energy and processing the scan data to produce an image indicating the external shape or dimensions of the stem or log and hidden internal characteristics and their position, and assessing the image. Knots and/or whorls, which are not visible from the exterior and the depth of the clear wood sheath from the surface, may be determined.

Abstract: This invention relates to a wastewater treatment process for treating nitrogen-deficient wastewater. The process enables the production of a low soluble nitrogen processed wastewater, and avoids the need for nitrogen supplementation in the wastewater treatment process. The process includes providing a supply of nitrogen-deficient wastewater to a controlled environment. The conditions in the controlled environment encourage the proliferation of nitrogen-fixing microorganisms in particular by control of the stability of the dissolved oxygen level. This process may be used alone or in conjunction with a conventional wastewater treatment process, relying on non-nitrogen-fixing microorganisms, without the need for nitrogen supplementation.

Abstract: This invention relates to growth media for capturing and sustaining the growth of conifer embryogenic tissue and conifer embryos.Using media of the invention allows good growth of embryogenic tissue and conifer embryos which can subsequently be germinated to obtain plants. With these media there is no need to use plant regulator/hormones such as auxins and/or cytokinins for embryogenic tissue cature and maintenance.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method for maturing plant material, such as cotyledonary stage embryos, on a medium which includes the step of placing a filter over a vessel containing the plant material and the medium, the filter being water vapor permeable and impermeable to micro-organisms.