Abstract: The disclosure related in part to a novel and highly superior high bulk pulp formed of lignin-containing fibers, and to process conditions for manufacture of the pulp. The process involves selection of a lignin-containing fiber source, having a lignin content of at least about 10%, and thermomechanically pulping the fiber source under temperature/pressure conditions of 300.degree. F.-350.degree. F./50 psig-120 psig and a refiner energy utilization of about 8-35 HPT/ADT, using a double disc, counter rotating disc refiner. The thermomechanically produced fibers are characterized by a high degree of stiffness, and an extremely smooth surface, free of fine fibril formation and thus substantially non-self-bonding. The new pulp has a wide variety of specialty uses which are attractive in terms of both economics and technical performance, because of the exceptionally high bulk and other distinctive characteristics of the fiber.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a novel and highly superior filter media formed of random-laid, lignin-containing fibers, and to a process for manufacture of the filter media. The process involves selection of lignin-containing fiber source, having a lignin content of at least about 10% and thermomechanically pulping the fiber source under temperature/pressure conditions of 300.degree. F.-350.degree. F./50 psig-120 psig and a refiner energy utilization of about 8-35 HPD/ADT. The thermomechanically produced fibers are characterized by a high degree of stiffness, and an extremely smooth surface free of fine fibril formation and thus substantially non-self-bonding. An improved filter media is formed by a random lay-up of the lignin-containing fibers, typically with selected other pulp fibers having technical characteristics suitable for filter media utilization.

Abstract: Defiberized lignocellulosic material, such as wood, is treated with a liquid carrier containing an oxidizing agent (a per compound, a chlorate or a nitrate), and the wet mat thereof is subjected to pressure, and to heat for a sufficient period of time to cause an oxidative reaction among the fibers resulting in a strong interfiber bond. Where the oxidizing agent is a per compound, the pH of the mixture or lignocellulosic material and per compound is less than 7. Catalysts or other reaction modifying agents are employed if needed. By virtue of the enhanced interfiber bonding effect, paper sheets, such as liner board, which are usually formed of delignified cellulosic material, the fibers of which are highly refined, can be formed totally or partially of less expensive sources of material such as ground wood, semi-chemical or semi-mechanical lignocellulosic pulps without sacrifice of strength.

Abstract: Molecular hydrogen is caused to flow past a hot filament and then past an article having surfaces which are to be cleaned located in a vacuum chamber, at a pressure such that the mean free path of hydrogen molecules is less than the minimum space between the surfaces to be cleaned and the walls of the container. Some of the hydrogen molecules are converted by the hot filament into hydrogen atoms, which react with contaminants on the surface to be cleaned to form products that can be removed by the flow of gas. Other devices can be used for dissociating hydrogen flowing into the chamber into hydrogen atoms and/or ions. Cleaning is effective even on surfaces facing away from the location where the hydrogen atoms are formed.

Abstract: The disclosure is concerned with a pretreatment process for removing lignin from lignocellulosic material so as to enhance enzymatic or microbial decomposability of cellulose. The pretreatment process comprises wetting lignocellulosic material with an alkaline aqueous solution in a manner that interstices between the cellulosic material remain, and exposing the wetted cellulosic material to an ozone-containing gas so as to decompose lignin in the lignocellulosic material with a very small energy consumption.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing pulp from impregnated cellulose-containing starting materials such as wood, straw, grass, waste materials etc. in a compacting apparatus comprising a shell (1) and two mutually opposite pistons (4, 4') contained in the shell. The material to be compacted is disposed between the pistons and constitutes a resistive electrical load. The pistons are movable relative to each other and the shell is movable relative to the pistons. The impregnated starting materials are digested at a relatively low hydromodulus of 0.5 to 2 with a direct action of heat on the impregnated starting materials in the compacting apparatus at a digesting temperature of 160.degree. to 300.degree. C. The digesting times are short and depend on the digesting temperature.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for the enzymatic production of ethanol from fermentable sugars. A complete sequence of enzymes for catalyzing the conversion of fermentable sugars to ethanol is retained in a plurality of reaction zones. Fermentable sugar solution is sequentially passed through the zones, and ethanol is recovered from the last zone. Necessary coenzymes and cofactors are added to the solution in the various zones, and means are provided for recovering and, if necessary, modifying the coenzymes prior to reintroduction in the various zones.

Abstract: A process for recovering pulp from pressure-sensitive carbonless copying paper waste is disclosed. This process includes defibrating the waste without substantial rupture of the microcapsules, treating the defibrated waste with an enzyme for starch saccharification and separating the fibers from the released microcapsules by means of a sidehill screen equipped with a washing shower.

Abstract: Water-soluble, nitrogen-containing condensates are prepared by reacting a cross-linking agent, obtained by(a) condensing 1 mole of a dicarboxylic acid of 4 to 10 carbon atoms with from 1 to 2 moles of a polyalkylenepolyamine, having 3-10 basic nitrogen atoms in the molecule, to give a polyamidoamine and(b) reacting the polyamidoamine with epichlorohydrin and/or dichlorohydrin in aqueous solution at a pH of from 4.5 to 8.5 and at below 100.degree. C., from 1 to 130 parts by weight of epichlorohydrin and/or dichlorohydrin being employed per 100 parts by weight of the polyamidoamine from (a),with ammonia, a primary amine, a polyamine containing 2 to 4 N atoms, a polyether-amine or a polyamidoamine in aqueous solution at below 100.degree. C.The condensates are used as retention aids, flocculants and drainage aids in papermaking.

Abstract: A connecting arrangement for a hard-material plate, block or other member, serving as a support for a liquid-permeable web in a paper making or similar machine, in which the hard-material body, e.g. an oxide ceramic, receives a clip which also engages a rigid support for the body. According to the invention slots are formed in the hard-material body and are of circular-arc configuration whose inner radius is at least 1/2% smaller than the curvature of the free shanks of the clip engaging in the grooves.

Abstract: A paper cover sheet material for use in the production of gypsum wallboard, the paper cover sheet material having excellent drainage, porosity and drying properties, and a wallboard product produced therefrom, the paper cover sheet material being produced from fibers comprising a major proportion of cellulose fibers and a minor proportion of mineral fibers, the paper composition additionally comprising a cellulose gel, a latex binder and a flocculating agent, thereby enabling the mineral fibers to be dispersed in an aqueous slurry without materially fracturing the fibers, and retaining the shot present in the mineral fibers without permitting the shot to be released and thereby to contaminate the papermaking equipment. The excellent porosity, drying properties and drainage of the paper permit the gypsum wallboard formed with the paper to be readily set and dried with reduced heat energy requirements.

Abstract: A gas generating system deriving useful BTU products from cellulosic waste material and comprising a conical shell to which the waste material is fed at the bottom and moved upwardly by an auger to permit the expanding walls of the cone to loosen the material by sintering action in the upper portion of the shell in a combustion zone located above the level of a row of air inlet ports substantially midway of the shell, the shell also having a gas accumulating chamber in the top thereof and a gas discharge device leading from the chamber to gas purifying and cooling mechanism including spray devices, a settling tank and liquid storage tank operating in a manner to re-use liquid incident to the operation of the spray devices. Operation of the controlled air delivery to the nozzles and cone also can be regulated to produce desirable amounts of charcoal and mechanism is included to remove the same from the cone.

Abstract: A system for denitrating a starting nitric acid solution by irradiation of microwaves to obtain oxide product of the solution comprises a receiver for receiving the solution, a rectangular oven vessel provided with a bottom plate on which the receiver is put, and a conveying mechanism located below the bottom plate for continuously conveying the receiver on the bottom plate throughout the oven vessel. A microwave generator is operatively connected to the oven vessel for generating microwaves to irradiate the content of the receiver when it passes throughout the oven vessel. The receiver may be rotated and vertically moved when it is subjected to denitration and calcination in the oven vessel.

Abstract: A method is provided for treating pulp fibres, that have already been curled which method comprises: subjecting the pulp to a heat treatment while the pulp is at a high consistency, thereby to render the curl permanent to subsequent mechanical action. This permanent curl has advantages for papermachine runnability and for increasing the toughness of the finished product.

Abstract: What is described herein is a method of improving the wet tensile strength of sized glass fiber mats characterized by forming the mat from a plurality of glass fibers and a binder composition therefor which consists essentially of a urea-formaldehyde resin and about 0.01 to 5% by weight of a surfactant which is both highly water soluble and which wets the surfaces of sized glass fibers. The preferred surfactant is an anionic surfactant such as a sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate. The glass mats thus made retained up to 79% of their tensile strength upon being subjected to severe wet conditions.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns a novel one-stage fermentation process for making the useful steroid intermediate 9-hydroxy-3-oxo-4,17(20)-pregnadiene-20-carboxylic acid (I). This process is significantly superior to the best prior art process known for making (I).

Abstract: Date fruits are extracted by a wet grinding operation after addition of water and subsequent filtration of the homogenized product with the aid of a cellulosic filter aid. The date pits may be used as the filter aid. A fermentation may be carried out before the filtration. A high concentrate feed material is thus obtained.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for mixing a fluid, such as chlorine or oxygen gas, into a suspension, such as comminuted cellulosic material. A circular cross-section conduit defines a flow path for a suspension, and a circular smooth-faced disc is mounted in the conduit for rotation, covering substantially the entire interior of the conduit. A relatively small opening extends through the disc, and that disc is rotated in the conduit with small portions of suspension flowing in the conduit progressively passing through the opening and being fluidized when passing through the opening. The fluid is introduced into the suspension as the suspension flows through the opening, and in this way an even distribution of fluid in the suspension, with minimum power consumption, is provided.

Abstract: A jet of liquid (3) is deposited from a reservoir outlet (2) on to a moving surface (4) located below the outlet. Deposition is effected by discharging a jet of the liquid on to the underside of a curved guide member (5) which is disposed between the outlet and the moving surface and which is oriented so as to cause the liquid to flow down the member on its underside so that its direction of flow approaches the direction of travel of the moving surface.The invention is particularly advantageous in the production of paper webs, especially multi-layer paper webs on a Fourdrinier paper-making machine.

Abstract: A process for extracting resin from wood pulp by contacting the pulp at elevated temperature with an aqueous medium comprising between about 2 and 15 percent by weight sodium hydroxide and between about 0.2 and 1.0% weight of an ethylene oxide condensation product, and also comprising in specified proportion one or more substances selected from the group consisting of a C.sub.12 alpha-olefin sulfonate and a particular C.sub.21 dicarboxylic acid. The sulfonate and dicarboxylic acid substantially enhance solubilization of the condensation product deresination agent in the highly polar aqueous medium.