Abstract: This invention provides improvements to processes for making granular lignin from black liquor. One of the improvements is that the use of a pre-carbonation column reduces the CO2 flow into the sparger of a carbonation column. The pre-carbonation column is used to reduce the pH of the black liquor to about 12. Another improvement is that it has been found that coalescing droplets into a bulk liquid-lignin phase can be enhanced by placing the exit of the carbonation column at or slightly beneath carbonated black liquor/liquid-lignin interface. It has also been found that operating the carbonation settler at a low pressure and pumping the liquid-lignin from the carbonation settler to the acidification reactor operating at a higher pressure allows recycling the vent gas from the acidification reactor to the pre-carbonation column. The invention also provides for a vent gas absorber.

Abstract: This invention provides improvements to processes for making granular lignin from black liquor. One of the improvements is that the use of a pre-carbonation column reduces the CO2 flow into the sparger of a carbonation column. The pre-carbonation column is used to reduce the pH of the black liquor to about 12. Another improvement is that it has been found that coalescing droplets into a bulk liquid-lignin phase can be enhanced by placing the exit of the carbonation column at or slightly beneath carbonated black liquor/liquid-lignin interface. It has also been found that operating the carbonation settler at a low pressure and pumping the liquid-lignin from the carbonation settler to the acidification reactor operating at a higher pressure allows recycling the vent gas from the acidification reactor to the pre-carbonation column. The invention also provides for a vent gas absorber.

Abstract: In a tall oil refining operating plant, a warm water loop is disclosed for cooling the tall oil heads fraction extracted from the crude tall oil, rather than the conventional use of cold water. This avoids condensation and the subsequent solidification of athraquinone pulping aid remaining in the crude tall oil; thus, avoiding fouling of the cooling towers. The temperature of the warm-water is controlled automatically by tempering the cold water entering the warm water “cooling” loop, while removing excessively warm water from said loop to the cooling tower system, as needed.

Abstract: This invention relates to acrylic resins. In particular, this invention relates to the use of acrylic resins as binders for formulating vehicles for solvent-based gravure and resinate gravure printing inks.

Abstract: The invention relates to improved solution phenolics and the process for preparing them. In particular, the invention relates to viscosity-stable high solids solutions of esters of rosin-phenol condensates having properties which make them useful in formulating vehicles for gravure printing inks.

Abstract: The invention is water-based printing inks and coatings formulated with stable low viscosity grind bases made from modified rosin grinding resins. These grinding resins are produced via the fusion esterification of fortified rosin with hydroxyacrylic resins and various polyols. Suitable hydroxyacrylic resins are prepared by copolymerizing an hydroxyalkylacrylate or methacrylate with alkyl acrylates, cycloalkyl acrylates, methacrylates, or styrene. These hydroxyacrylic resins can be made to contain a wide range of molecular weights and hydroxyl contents, thereby permitting formulation of a wide variety of soluble grinding resins and printing inks.

Abstract: An oleic acid containing adduct is produced by reacting tall oil fatty acid (which contains pre-conjugated linoleic acid) with a dienophile at a temperature between 180.degree. C. and 300.degree. C. No catalyst or solvent is necessary for the reaction to occur. The adduct is subsequently distilled to yield a high-purity, light color oleic acid.