Patents Assigned to Valmet AB
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Publication number: 20210017706Abstract: There is disclosed a refiner segment (10) for a refiner (1) of lignocellulosic material. The refiner segment (10) is part of a refiner disc (100) that comprises a center area (11). The refiner segment (10) comprises a number H, N?2, of bar zones (Zi,i=1, 2, . . . N) that are arranged at different radial positions with regard to a radial direction R extending from the center area (11) of the refiner disc (100)_towards the periphery of the refiner segment (10). Each of the bar zones (Zi) are defined by a corresponding set of refining bars (ZiRBi, i=1, 2, . . . M) that are distributed angularly and encircles the center area (11).Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2019Publication date: January 21, 2021Applicant: VALMET ABInventor: Thommy LINDBLOM
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Patent number: 10882879Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing lignin with reduced amount of odorous substances comprising the steps of: i) providing a solid phase lignin containing starting material to be contacted with a water solution comprising alcohol; ii) dissolving at least guaiacol and etylguaiacol content from the lignin into the water solution, and iii) draining off the water solution with its content of guaiacol and etylguaiacol; iv) obtaining a lignin material with a reduced content guaiacol and etylguaiacol. The alcohol is preferably a C1-C4 alcohol, preferably ethanol. The invention also relates to a lignin product with reduced odour obtained and/or obtainable by the method and to the use of the obtained lignin as a component in polymer blends, an additive or filler in building materials, as binding agent in adhesives, and/or for the production of a carbon fibre, especially in indoor applications.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2017Date of Patent: January 5, 2021Assignee: VALMET ABInventors: Per Tomani, Fernando Alvarado, Maria Sedin
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Publication number: 20200377539Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing lignin with reduced amount of odorous substances comprising the step of: providing a solid phase lignin containing starting material to be contacted with a water solution comprising carboxylic acid; dissolving the guaiacol and etylguaiacol content from the lignin into the water solution, and draining off the water solution with its content of guaiacol or etylguaiacol; obtaining a lignin material with a reduced content of guaiacol or etylguaiacol. The invention also relates to a lignin product with reduced odour obtained and/or obtainable by the method obtained lignin as a component in polymer blends, an additive or filler in building materials, as binding agent in adhesives, and/or for the production of a carbon fibre, especially in indoor applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2017Publication date: December 3, 2020Applicant: VALMET ABInventor: Henrik WALLMO
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Publication number: 20200346222Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a cleaning system for biomass material handling systems and methods for such system. The cleaning system for a biomass material treatment stage in a continuous process system includes a hydrolysis or pre-hydrolysis reactor, a feeding arrangement is arranged to continuously feed biomass material to an inlet of the reactor, wherein reactor includes a reactor screw for moving the biomass material through the reactor and a discharge pipe including a discharge screw for continuously discharging treated biomass material. At least one high-pressure cleaning nozzle is arranged inside a housing of said reactor, wherein the at least one high-pressure cleaning nozzle is arranged to eject cleaning agent at predetermined intervals during operation of the reactor.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2018Publication date: November 5, 2020Applicant: VALMET ABInventors: Patrik PETTERSSON, Johan CARLSSON
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Publication number: 20200340179Abstract: The invention relates to a method for clarification of raw green liquor in a sedimentation tank. According to the invention is a part of dregs separated in the sedimentation tank recirculated back into the inflow of raw green liquor, and preferably after passing the dregs through at least one turbulence generator (30, 31) that could break up larger dregs particles into smaller dregs particles, and thus create larger total surface on the dregs particles, improving sedimentation rate in the sedimentation tank. In a preferred embodiment is the recirculated dregs added into the flow of raw green liquor before a flocculant is added into the flow of raw green liquor and mixed recirculated dregs.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2018Publication date: October 29, 2020Applicant: VALMET ABInventors: Zicheng ZHANG, John JOHNSON, Magnus INGELMAN, Sanchuan GUO
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Patent number: 10815617Abstract: The invention relates to an improved method for generating clean steam in a digester plant of a chemical pulp mill. By feeding a steam-to-steam converter (SSC) with venting steam from a black liquor flash tank (FT) as well as venting steam from chip steaming (SV) could the volume of clean steam produced be increased by over 40-50%, and to such an extent that the volume of clean steam covers the needs for preheating of chips in the digester system also in severe operational conditions. The total consumption of clean steam from the steam net of the mill may be reduced and used for other purposes such as electricity production, which meets the requirements for converting the pulp mill to an environmental friendly pulp mill.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2017Date of Patent: October 27, 2020Assignee: VALMET ABInventors: Krister Olsson, Jari Miettinen, Keyla Miettinen, Kjell Ljungkvist
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Publication number: 20200332375Abstract: A method for processing lignocellulose materials comprising the steps of hydrothermal treatment of the material with saturated or superheated steam in a hydrothermal pressure vessel, wherein the steam is provided by means of a steam boiler. The treatment is performed at a pressure of 5-30 bars, and at a temperature of 160-240° C. for a duration of 1-20 minutes. The method further comprises discharging hydrothermally treated lignocellulose material and steam from the pressure vessel by means of rapid pressure reduction, separating the steam and vapours released from the lignocellulose material, and burning the vapours together with additional fuel and combustion air in the furnace of said steam boiler. Furthermore, a corresponding system is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2018Publication date: October 22, 2020Applicant: VALMET ABInventors: Peter BJÖRKLUND, Mattias ERIXON, Francois LAMBERT, Andreas AVERHEIM
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Publication number: 20200308767Abstract: Disclosed is a refiner plate (1) that is adapted to be attached to a rotatable refiner disc (10) on a refiner (100) for mechanical treatment of lignocellulosic material. The refiner plate (1) comprises a refining surface (11) that is adapted to be arranged oppositely a second refining surface (21) of a second refiner disc (20) on said refiner (100). The refining surface (11) is provided with a plurality of refining bars (110), where at least one of the refining bars (110) is provided with cavities (111) that are at least partially embedded in the refining bars. Moreover, at least one cavity (111) provided on the at least one refining bar (110) have one end (111a) arranged closer to the leading edge (112) of a refining bar (110) and one end (111b) arranged closer to the trailing edge (113) of the refining bar and wherein the depth dimension of the cavity at the end (111a) is smaller than the depth dimension of the cavity at the end (111b).Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2018Publication date: October 1, 2020Applicant: VALMET ABInventor: Thommy LINDBLOM
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Publication number: 20200306719Abstract: A reactor arrangement for pre-hydrolysis of biomass material. The reactor arrangement comprises a reactor vessel arranged substantially horizontally, wherein the vessel comprises an inlet for receiving the biomass material arranged at an upper portion of the vessel. The inlet may be arranged at a first longitudinal end of the vessel. The vessel may furthermore comprise an outlet at a second longitudinal end of the vessel. The reactor arrangement further comprises a set of steam injection orifices arranged to inject or supply steam into the reactor vessel. The set of steam injection orifices comprises at least two orifices arranged below the inlet at a distance from each other. The at least two orifices may be arranged at a distance from each other in the lateral direction of the reactor vessel. Furthermore, a method for pre-hydrolysis treatment of biomass in a substantially horizontal reactor vessel is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2018Publication date: October 1, 2020Applicant: VALMET ABInventors: Francois LAMBERT, Johan CARLSSON, Rolf BOMAN, Patrik Pettersson
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Patent number: 10767309Abstract: A refiner segment (4) for a refiner (1) intended for refining fibrous material (7) has a refining surface and is arrangeable to form a part of a refining surface of a refiner element (2; 3) in the refiner (1). The refiner segment (4) is provided with a pattern of bars (10) and intermediate grooves (11) extending along the refiner segment (4) in a substantially radial direction, and dams (12) extending between the bars (10) and protruding above the surface of the grooves (11).Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2018Date of Patent: September 8, 2020Assignee: VALMET ABInventor: Thommy Lindblom
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Patent number: 10676760Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing ethanol comprising providing biomass, supplying yeast to the biomass, reducing the size of the biomass, fermentation of the biomass at a solid content of above 20%, and distilling the fermented biomass. It also relates to an ethanol producing system comprising biomass providing arrangement, a yeast supplying device for supplying yeast to the biomass, a biomass size reducing device configured to reduce the size of the biomass, a fermentation device configured to ferment the biomass at a solid content of above 20% and a distilling device.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2016Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignee: Valmet ABInventor: Jean-Pierre Bousquet
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Publication number: 20200149221Abstract: A first refining disc (5) for a defibrator (1) for refining fibrous material, adapted to receive a flow of incoming fibrous material (7) from a feed screw (3a) through a material inlet opening (4) arranged in the first refining disc (5), is provided with at least one steam evacuating channel (21) comprising at least one steam inlet opening (22) arranged on a side of the first refining disc (5) adapted to face a second refining disc (6), and at least one steam outlet opening (23) arranged on a side of the first refining disc (5) adapted to face away from the second refining disc (6). The at least one steam outlet opening (23) is arranged centrally of the at least one steam inlet opening (22) with respect to the center of the first refining disc (5), and centrally of a position where the flow of incoming material (7) is to be received into the first refining disc (5) from the feed screw (3a), with respect to the center of the first refining disc (5).Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2018Publication date: May 14, 2020Applicant: Valmet ABInventor: Thommy Lindblom
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Publication number: 20200141056Abstract: The invention relates to a chip chute (4; 21; 31; 41) which comprises an elongated, open main body (22; 32; 42) having a rectangular transverse cross-section, and comprises further a transition portion (23; 33; 43), which connects to the elongated, open main body (22; 32; 42) and comprises a circular outlet (26; 36; 46). The invention relates further to a feeding system (1) for transporting comminuted lignocellulosic material from a vessel (2) to a pump (3) located below the vessel (2), wherein such a chip chute (4; 21; 31; 41) is arranged between the vessel (2) and the pum (3).Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2018Publication date: May 7, 2020Applicant: VALMET ABInventors: Jonas SAETHERÅSEN, JERK SÖDERMAN, ROBERT LAVÉN, Bengt WERNERSSON ÖSTBERG
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Publication number: 20200123706Abstract: A method for obtaining a strong hydrolysate from cellulosic material after a hydrolysis in a batch digester is disclosed. According to the invention the cellulosic material is exposed to a 2 stage hydrolysis with a first steam phase hydrolysis followed by a liquid phase hydrolysis, and wherein the steam phase is conducted such that the degree of packing of the cellulosic material results in at least a 20% up to 100% packing increase. The liquid phase hydrolysis includes adding hot and preferably acidified hydrolysis liquid and not establishing a total L/W ratio above 3.5, but sufficient to keep the cellulosic material under the level of the hydrolysis liquid.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2016Publication date: April 23, 2020Applicant: Valmet ABInventors: Lari LAMMI, Petteri KUUSISTO, Stefan ANTONSSON, Sannet MINNAAR
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Patent number: 10625190Abstract: A steam separation unit for separation of steam from lignocellulosic biomass material in a hydrolysis process includes a treatment vessel including a separation section and a biomass collection section. The separation section is arranged with at least one inlet for receiving at least partly hydrolyzed biomass material mixed with steam and at least one control outlet for discharging the steam from the vessel. A biomass collection section arranged to be filled at least partly with liquid during operation and coupled to the separation section to collect the biomass material after separation from steam, wherein the biomass collection section includes a mixing element for mixing the biomass material with liquid and at least one control valve for discharging biomass material mixed with liquid. A system for hydrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass material including such a separation unit is also presented.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2015Date of Patent: April 21, 2020Assignee: VALMET ABInventors: Anders Thyr, Örjan Ahlgren, Krister Sjöblom
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Publication number: 20200109157Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing lignin with reduced amount of odorous substances comprising the steps of: i) providing a solid phase lignin containing starting material to be contacted with a water solution comprising alcohol; ii) dissolving at least guaiacol and etylguaiacol content from the lignin into the water solution, and iii) draining off the water solution with its content of guaiacol and etylguaiacol; iv) obtaining a lignin material with a reduced content guaiacol and etylguaiacol. The alcohol is preferably a C1-C4 alcohol, preferably ethanol. The invention also relates to a lignin product with reduced odour obtained and/or obtainable by the method and to the use of the obtained lignin as a component in polymer blends, an additive or filler in building materials, as binding agent in adhesives, and/or for the production of a carbon fibre, especially in indoor applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2017Publication date: April 9, 2020Applicant: VALMET ABInventors: Per TOMANI, Fernando ALVARADO, Maria SEDIN
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Patent number: 10597822Abstract: A refiner segment for a refiner for defibrating has a refining surface comprising a group of first bars and second bars, each having a first end directed in the direction of an inlet zone and a second end directed in the direction of a refining zone, where the second ends of the first bars are interlaced with the first ends of the second bars to form first grooves between the first bars, and second grooves between the second bars. The second ends of the first bars have a guiding surface decreasing from an upper surface of the first bars down towards the bottom of the second grooves, and the first ends of the second bars have a guiding surface increasing from the bottom of the first grooves up to a top of the second bars, such that the guiding surfaces form an equalization groove.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2015Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Assignee: Valmet ABInventor: Thommy Lindblom
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Hydrothermal-mechanical treatment of lignocellulosic biomass for production of fermentation products
Patent number: 10590449Abstract: A simple process for converting lignocellulosic biomass into fermentation products is disclosed. Biomass may be subjected to a steam or hot-water soak to dissolve hemicelluloses. This step is followed by mechanical refining, such as in a hot-blow refiner, of the cellulose-rich (and lignin-rich) solids. The refined solids are then enzymatically hydrolyzed to generate sugars. Certain embodiments provide a process for producing ethanol, comprising: digesting a cellulosic biomass feedstock with steam or hot water to produce cellulose-rich solids, hemicellulose oligomers, and lignin; conveying the digested stream through a blow-line refiner; separating a vapor from the refined stream; introducing the refined stream to an enzymatic hydrolysis unit to produce sugars; fermenting the sugars to produce ethanol in dilute solution; and concentrating the dilute solution to produce an ethanol product. Enzymes and microorganisms may be introduced at various points in the process.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2016Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignees: GranBio Intellectual Property Holdings, Valmet ABInventors: Theodora Retsina, Jean-Pierre Bousquet -
Publication number: 20200056331Abstract: The invention relates to a heat transfer tube (9) for falling film evaporation having a heating medium surface (21) to be heated by a heating medium, a falling film surface (20) to have spent liquor passing over it, and being made from an sheet metal material. The falling film surface of the heat transfer tube is equipped with a multitude of wire bumps (WB), each wire bump being spaced apart along the longitudinal axis (CC) of the heat transfer tube from a neighbouring wire bump by 3-300 mm, said wire bumps (WB) having a height (h) in the range 0.3 to 5.0 mm, a width (w) in the range 0.3-5.0 mm, and an inclination angle (a) versus a plane orthogonal to a longitudinal axis (CC) of the heat transfer tube in a range of 0-70 degrees. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing said heat transfer tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2018Publication date: February 20, 2020Applicant: VALMET ABInventors: Krister PETTERSSON, Martin APEL
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Publication number: 20200040413Abstract: The invention relates to a method for extraction of saccharides from a lignocellulose containing material and comprises the steps of mixing the lignocellulose containing material with an acidic water solution to create a slurry having a pH value in the interval of 0-4; controlling the water content of the slurry to obtain a specific dry solid content of more than 30%; and introducing the slurry into an apparatus and performing an acid hydrolysis of the slurry in the apparatus, wherein at least parts of the apparatus that come into contact with the slurry are made of a material that comprises iron in an amount of at least 50% by weight and nickel in an amount of at least 1.5% by weight. The invention relates also to an apparatus for performing said method.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2018Publication date: February 6, 2020Applicant: VALMET ABInventor: Göran WALLIN