Abstract: A process for producing paper and absorbent products of increased strength includes extracting wood particulates with a solvent selected from methanol, ethanol, and acetone at a pressure less than 50 psi to reduce the pitch and volatile organic compounds of the particulates without significant dissolution of lignin and cellulosic components. The wood particulates are pulped to produce a pulp with reduced pitch content. A slurry is prepared from the pulp and used to form paper products.

Abstract: A chemical wood pulping process having reduced volatile organic compound emissions includes extracting wood particulates with solvent at a pressure less than 50 psi to reduce naturally-occurring particulate pitch and volatile organic compound content without significant dissolution of lignin and wood cellulosic components. The solvent used is methanol, ethanol, or acetone. This is followed by comingling the extracted wood particulates with a liquor having chemical reactants, not including the solvent used to extract the wood particulates, for solubilizing lignin. Then, allowing the chemical reactants of the liquor to react with lignin contained in the extracted wood particulates under controlled conditions of temperature and pressure for a sufficient time to solubilize and remove lignin. This is followed by producing a wood pulp having individual cellulosic fibers while releasing a reduced amount of VOCs in the wood pulping process.

Abstract: A paper product having a mass of cellulosic fibers produced from wood, where the fibers have a pitch content reduced by at least about 40% as compared to an expected pitch content based on naturally-occurring levels of pitch in the wood is disclosed.

Abstract: A process for producing paper and absorbent products of increased strength includes extracting wood particulates with a solvent selected from methanol, ethanol, and acetone at a pressure less than 50 psi to reduce the pitch and volatile organic compounds of the particulates without significant dissolution of lignin and cellulosic components. The wood particulates are pulped to produce a pulp with reduced pitch content. A slurry is prepared from the pulp and used to form paper products.

Abstract: A chemical wood pulping process having reduced volatile organic compound emissions includes extracting wood particulates with solvent at a pressure less than 50 psi to reduce naturally-occurring particulate pitch and volatile organic compound content without significant dissolution of lignin and wood cellulosic components. The solvent used is methanol, ethanol, or acetone. This is followed by comingling the extracted wood particulates with a liquor having chemical reactants, not including the solvent used to extract the wood particulates, for solubilizing lignin. Then, allowing the chemical reactants of the liquor to react with lignin contained in the extracted wood particulates under controlled conditions of temperature and pressure for a sufficient time to solubilize and remove lignin. This is followed by producing a wood pulp having individual cellulosic fibers while releasing a reduced amount of VOCs in the wood pulping process.

Abstract: A paper product having a mass of cellulosic fibers produced from wood, where the fibers have a pitch content reduced by at least about 40% as compared to an expected pitch content based on naturally-occurring levels of pitch in the wood is disclosed.

Abstract: Paper and absorbent products having reduced pitch content and enhanced properties, including increased tensile index, tear index, burst index, Scott Bond, smoothness, and stiffness. Further, pulps of the invention, although having slightly reduced brightness, are more responsive to bleach chemicals thereby permitting the use of less chemicals to achieve a specific brightness. The products are produced by a process that includes extracting wood particulates with a solvent for naturally-occurring volatile organic compounds and pitch. The extracted wood particulates are then pulped and formed into paper and absorbent products with enhanced properties. Due to the extraction of volatile organic compounds, the pulping and paperforming stages of the process are substantially free of emissions of volatile organic compounds that occur naturally in wood. Moreover, the extraction of pitch reduces or eliminates pitch fouling of equipment and permits the production of paper products of enhanced qualities.

Abstract: Wood products of superior strength are produced from wood particulates that have been extracted with a solvent to remove volatile organic compounds and a significant proportion of pitch from the wood particulates. The products are especially resistant to weakening caused by water immersion. As a consequence of the enhanced strength and stiffness of the composites, wood products may be made thinner, and of lighter weight, for the same equivalent strength and stiffness at lower cost. The process of drying the particulate raw material and forming the composite wood products, by subjecting to heat and pressure, are virtually free from emissions of volatile organic compounds into the environment.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for producing a highly flavored cheese product in a short period of time. In the method, a mixture of cream, whole milk and non-fat dry milk is provided. The mixture has a solids content of from about 45% to about 55%. The mixture is pasteurized or heat treated and the temperature of the mixture is adjusted to between about 85.degree. F. and about 95.degree. F. A lactic acid producing culture, at least one enzyme and rennet is added to the mixture. The mixture is then fermented at a temperature of from about 85.degree. F. to about 95.degree. F. for a period of time sufficient to provide a highly flavored cheese coagulum. The cheese coagulum is then heated to a temperature of from about 160.degree. F. to about 175.degree. F. to inactivate the culture and enzymes and to provide a highly flavored cheese product. The cheese product is cut with agitation. Thereafter, the cheese product is cooled to a temperature of from about 40.degree. F. to about 50.degree. F.

Abstract: A process for extracting volatile organic compounds and pitch from wood particulates, thereby virtually eliminating the emission of volatile organic compounds into the atmosphere during the processing of wood particulates into commercially useful products, such as oriented strandboard, particle board, chipboard veneers, and pulp and paper products. The removal of pitch permits the production of pulps of higher brightness, requiring less chemical bleaching agents. Moreover, removal of pitch eliminates pitch scale formation in pulp mills and on pulp and paper machines with resultant improved efficiencies and reduced use of pitch treatment chemicals. In the extraction process, a solvent or blend of solvents, leach wood extractives, including volatile organic compounds and pitch, from the wood particulates to produce a miscella. The miscella is separated from the leached wood particulates and solvent contained in the miscella is recovered and recycled for reuse.

Abstract: Wood products of superior strength are produced from wood particulates that have been extracted with a solvent to remove volatile organic compounds and a significant proportion of pitch from the wood particulates. The products are especially resistant to weakening caused by water immersion. As a consequence of the enhanced strength and stiffness of the composites, wood products may be made tier, and of lighter weight, for the same equivalent strength and stiffness at lower cost. The processes of drying the particulate raw material and forming the composite wood products, by subjecting to heat and pressure, are virtually free from emissions of volatile organic compounds into the environment.