Abstract: Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems are described that can use feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials, to produce ethanol and/or butanol, e.g., by fermentation.

Abstract: A composition and method for improving retention and drainage in a papermaking process is disclosed. An unexpected synergistic effect has been observed when certain amounts of a promoter are used in conjunction with a microparticle. Optionally, a flocculent is also used to further improve the observed synergism. The microparticle includes an inorganic anionic or cationic siliceous material. The promoter includes a modified diallyl-N,N-disubstituted ammonium halide polymer. The flocculant includes one or more high molecular weight, water-soluble cationic, anionic, nonionic, zwitterionic, or amphoteric polymers.

Abstract: An inventive method includes the steps of: loading a fiber product in an appropriate form into a treatment vessel; wetting the fiber product; forcibly circulating an ozone-containing liquid in contact with the wetted fiber product to thereby bleach the fiber product; and forcibly circulating an ozone decomposing chemical agent liquid in contact with the ozone-treated fiber product to decompose ozone. This method ensures efficient bleaching of the fiber product with the ozone. Further, the method is advantageous in that the resulting bleached fiber product is less liable to be yellowed over time.

Abstract: A paper sheet is providing having a basis weight of 50 to 80 g/m2, and having a top surface and a bottom surface, said paper sheet comprising 10%-80% by weight of hardwood kraft pulp; and 10%-70% by weight of sulfite pulp; wherein the paper sheet has an MD/CD TSI ratio of 1.25 to 2.15, and a fiber hygroexpansion stress transfer parameter (?) of less than 0.1.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for pretreating fibre material to be used in manufacturing paper or the like, for example, by precipitating mineral substances to the fibres. During precipitation, fibre material, which is advantageously pretreated in a through-flow mixer operating on the principle of an impact mill, is fed to the precipitation reactor. Gas is led to the precipitation reactor in order to generate a gas space in the reactor. The gas contains a substance, which precipitates the mineral substance such as carbon dioxide (CO2). The fibre material is fed to the gas space of to the precipitation reactor as small liquid and solid substance fractions such as drops and/or particles.

Abstract: A bamboo fiber material, which is manufactured via the following steps: (1) preparation of bamboo oil: (2) preparation of bamboo fiber: (3) mixing the bamboo oil, a water-proofing agent and sodium chloride, adding water in an amount of 2-5 times of the weight of the mixture, stirring at 15-20° C. for 5-10 minutes; (4) adding the bamboo fiber obtained in step (2), as well as a natural resin powder and an edible starch, stirring at 18-20° C. for 2-5 minutes; finally adding a titanium dioxide and stirring uniformly to obtain the bamboo material. The bamboo fiber material of the present invention is made from natural bamboo as main raw material, taking inherent advantages of bamboo such as antibacterial, anticorrosive, non-toxic and less side-effect. In addition, other raw materials are also all environment-friendly materials, so that the bamboo fiber material is free of volatile chemicals.

Abstract: A papermaking machine for the production of a fibrous web. The papermaking machine including a plurality of rollers and a structured fabric moving along the plurality of rollers. The structured fabric includes a plurality of weft yarns and a plurality of warp yarns woven with the plurality of weft yarns to produce a weave pattern. The plurality of warp yarns are a plurality of paired warp yarn sets, each paired warp yarn set including a first warp yarn and a second warp yarn. Within the weave pattern the first warp yarn weaves a plain weave while the second warp yarn floats over a first portion of the plurality of weft yarns. The second warp yarn weaving a plain weave while the first warp yarn floats over a second portion of the plurality of weft yarns in the weave pattern.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel pulp composition for paper or solid board production comprising an oxidized recovered paper pulp and/or an oxidized mechanical pulp into which from 1 to 500 mmol of carboxyl groups per kg and from 1 to 200 mmol of aldehyde groups per kg have been introduced by oxidation. The invention also relates to paper and solid board based on such a pulp composition and also to a process for producing such paper or solid board. The invention also relates to the use of oxidized recovered paper pulp and/or oxidized mechanical pulp for improving the retention and drainage properties of a pulp suitable for producing paper or solid board. The invention further relates to the use of oxidized recovered paper pulp and/or oxidized mechanical pulp for improving, i.e., increasing, the dry strength of paper and solid board.

Abstract: Fibrous structures that exhibit a Geometric Mean Flexural Rigidity (GM Flexural Rigidity or GMFlex) as measured according to the Flexural Rigidity Test Method described herein to Dry Burst (DB) as measured according to the Dry Burst Test Method described herein ratio (GMFlex/DB ratio) of less than 0.26 and a Density of less than 0.10 g/cm3 as measured according to the Test Methods described herein are provided.

Abstract: Acrylic matt thermoplastic resin films having excellent printability, flex whitening resistance, impact resistance and solvent resistance, and a process for the preparation thereof are provided. The films made of a thermoplastic resin composition comprising 100 parts by weight of an acrylic resin (A) and 0.5 to 20 parts by weight of a crosslinked acrylic polymer (B) as a matting agent are prepared by a process wherein the resin composition is kneaded and formed into a film, and the both surfaces of the film are simultaneously brought into contact with rolls between them, one roll being kept at a temperature of not less than the glass transition temperature Tg of the resin composition and the other roll being kept at a temperature of less than the Tg, whereby the film surface contacted with the roll having a temperature of Tg or higher is converted into a mirror surface and the film surface contacted with the roll having a temperature lower than Tg is converted into a matt surface.

Abstract: The method is for influencing the flow from a strainer construction in a continuous digester. In order to avoid clogging of the withdrawal compartment in the strainer construction, an additive that counteracts precipitation processes is added directly to the withdrawal compartment while the cooking fluid is withdrawn from the withdrawal compartment. The addition of chemicals can take place at the same time as the withdrawn cooking fluid is withdrawn from the digester and the strainer construction, or while the withdrawn cooking fluid is fully or partially re-circulated back to the withdrawal compartment.

Abstract: A flat woven industrial filtration fabric comprises three layers of weft yarns. A first set of warp yarns interweaves only with paper side layer weft yarns and intermediate weft yarns, and a second set of warp yarns interweaves only with machine side layer weft yarns and the intermediate yarns, the first warp yarns and the second warp yarns interweaving with the same intermediate weft yarns at common turning points. The first warp yarns comprise groups of intrinsic binder yarns forming a single combined path on the paper side surface, and the second warp yarns are woven as individual yarns or in groups, such as pairs or triplets. The distinct nature of the paper side and machine side layers increases the available combinations of weave patterns to optimize the characteristics for each layer, and the distinct centre planes between the three layers provide improved drainage control.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fibrous pulp comprising a combination of polypyridobisimidazole fibrous structures and fibrous structures derived from another polymer. The invention further relates to processes for making such pulp and articles comprising the pulp.

Abstract: A process for treatment of fibers is disclosed. The treatment comprises simultaneously and continuously macerating the fibers and exposing the fibers to superheated steam, ammonia gas and ethylenediamine gas. The treatment is carried out in a chamber where the fibers are subjected to the mechanical rubbing and crushing action of a plurality of rotating pins against channels disposed on the chamber interior wall. The treatment results in improved fiber water holding capacity and improved conversion efficiency in the production of ethanol from the treated fibers.

Abstract: A paper or board machine having a machine dryer section with a drying group with single-wire draw. A drying wire (F) presses the web (W) on a drying cylinder (10) against heated cylinder surfaces, and the web (W) remains at the side of the outside curve of reversing cylinders (11) situated between drying cylinders (10). For enhancing runnability of the web (W), a runnability component (20) is in a pocket space (T) confined by two adjacent drying cylinders (10) and a reversing cylinder (11) situated between them and by the drying wire (F). The web (W) passes from the drying cylinder (10) to the reversing cylinder (11) as a short transfer of 80-400 mm, where a negative pressure effect produced by the runnability component (20) is applied and confined by seals of the runnability component (20) against the surfaces of the drying cylinder (10) and reversing cylinder (11).

Abstract: The present invention relates to thermoset and polyareneazole pulp for use as reinforcement material in products including for example fluid seals and friction materials, as a processing aid including its use as a thioxotrope, and as a filter material. The pulp comprises (a) irregularly shaped, thermoset fiber fibrous structures, (b) irregularly shaped, polyareneazole fibrous structures and (c) water whereby thermoset fiber fibrils and/or stalks are substantially entangled with polyareneazole fibrils and/or stalks. The invention further relates to processes for making such thermoset and polyareneazole pulp.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pneumatic tire including a straight main groove and two wave-shaped main grooves arranged in the center area of a tread, and diagonal grooves arranged in each shoulder area ranging from each wave-shaped main groove to the outer side of the tire, and extending obliquely outward from the wave-shaped main groove to a direction reverse to the tire rotational direction, the rotational direction being specified for the tire. Each diagonal groove is formed to have a convex protruding toward the outer side of the tire, and the extending end portion of the diagonal groove terminates in the shoulder area. Thus, each shoulder area is provided with a non-block pattern in which a land section continues in the tire circumferential direction. Thereby, the pneumatic tire has increased driving stability and uneven wear resistance while substantially maintaining good drainage performance and noise performance against columnar resonance.

Abstract: A structured fabric for use in a papermaking machine for forming a web of fibrous material includes a repeating weave pattern that includes a plurality of warp yarns, warp knuckles, weft yams and weft knuckles that form two different types of pockets each of which include a plurality of margins and a bottom and is open on the web-facing side are formed between the knuckles, wherein the weft yarns have a first group, but not the second group, that form weft knuckles and the second group, but not the first group, form at least part of the bottom of the pockets formed.

Abstract: A method of mixing paper stock, having improved outlet consistency, includes: (a) feeding liquid and feeding paper pulp into a vessel to form a mixture; (b) providing at least one counterflow impeller that is submerged in the mixture, the counterflow impeller being capable of simultaneously inducing both upward flow and downward flow; (c) rotating the counterflow impeller such that downward flow from the impeller is partially recirculated by upward flow from the impeller to form a mixing zone; (d) sensing a parameter of the mixture discharged from the vessel; and (e) controlling the feed rate of the liquid and the feed rate of the paper pulp in the feeding step (a) based on the sensing step (d). An apparatus for mixing of paper stock, having improved outlet consistency, includes a vessel for containing liquid and paper pulp, at least one counterflow impeller, and a feedback system for controlling outlet consistency.

Abstract: A method for heating a chip slurry in a pulping system including an impregnation vessel and a chemical digesting vessel, the method including: impregnating chips in the impregnation vessel with a liquor; transporting the chips from the impregnation vessel to an upper elevation of the digester vessel; extracting liquor from a lower elevation of the digester vessel, wherein the extracted liquor has a temperature substantially higher than a temperature of the chips being transported to the upper elevation of the digester vessel, and adding extracted liquor from the lower elevation of the digester vessel to the chips being transported from the impregnation vessel to the digester vessel.