Abstract: Spacecraft servicing devices or pods and related methods may include a body configured to be deployed from a host spacecraft at a location adjacent a target spacecraft and at least one spacecraft servicing component configured to perform at least one servicing operation on the target spacecraft.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for minimizing fouling and/or reducing the viscosity of black liquor in a Kraft pulping process are provided. An exemplary composition includes an anionic sulfate or sulfonate surfactant; an anionic sulfate or sulfonate dispersant; and a nonionic alkoxylated surfactant.

Abstract: A process for increasing digestion efficiency of lignocellulosic material in a treatment vessel includes providing lignocellulosic material comprising lignocellulosic biomass, providing an alkyl polyglycoside, an alkoxylated alcohol, and a white liquor comprising sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide, combining the lignocellulosic material, the alkyl polyglycoside, the alkoxylated alcohol, and the white liquor to form a mixture, and heating the mixture in the treatment vessel to a temperature of from about 125° C. to about 185° C. to digest at least a portion of the lignocellulosic material. The alkyl polyglycoside and the alkoxylated alcohol are present in the mixture in a weight ratio of actives from about 5:95 to about 95:5, respectively. The mixture is free of added surfactants that are not the alkyl polyglycoside and/or the alkoxylated alcohol. The process has increased digestion efficiency as compared to a process that does not utilize a combination of the alkyl polyglycoside and the alkoxylated alcohol.

Abstract: A method of reducing contaminants in a pulp or papermaking process includes the steps of: providing a lignocellulosic pulp comprising lignocellulosic fibers and at least one hydrophobic contaminant; providing a cationic polymer; providing a cleaning blend comprising a vegetable oil alkyl ester and at least one surfactant; and applying the cationic polymer and the cleaning blend to the lignocellulosic pulp to reduce a content of the at least one hydrophobic contaminant in the pulp or papermaking process.

Abstract: A method for producing a high yield Kraft pulp is provided. In particular, the method involves adding a composition comprising an organic amine phosphonate and a sulphonated linear alcohol ethoxylate surfactant to a pulping process. The composition enhances the delignification of cellulosic fiber in chemical wood pulps.

Abstract: A pulp mixture includes a lignocellulosic material, water, lignin, an inorganic salt, and a copolymer including two or more structural units chosen from ethylene oxide units, propylene oxide units, (meth)acrylic acid units, ethyl acrylate units, and combinations thereof. The copolymer is free of silicone-containing structural units and the lignin is present in an amount of greater than about 150 ppm, based on a total weight of the pulp mixture.

Abstract: Scale build-up on metal surfaces of a black liquor evaporator is prevented or mitigated by treating the black liquor with a deposit inhibiting concentration of a water-soluble polymer containing a polycarboxylate chain and a 3-mercaptopropionic acid end group.

Abstract: A pulp mixture includes a lignocellulosic material, water, lignin, an inorganic salt, and a copolymer including two or more structural units chosen from ethylene oxide units, propylene oxide units, (meth)acrylic acid units, ethyl acrylate units, and combinations thereof. The copolymer is free of silicone-containing structural units and the lignin is present in an amount of greater than about 150 ppm, based on a total weight of the pulp mixture.

Abstract: A method for producing a high yield Kraft pulp is provided. In particular, the method involves adding a composition comprising an organic amine phosphonate and a sulphonated linear alcohol ethoxylate surfactant to a pulping process. The composition enhances the delignification of cellulosic fiber in chemical wood pulps.