Abstract: A sheet metal, elongate structural member is cold roll-formed from a strip of sheet metal no thicker than 1.2 mm, preferably 0.6 mm, including a central zone and two edge zones flanking the central zone and each having a free edge margin. The member includes a substantially planar web (9), a first hollow flange (10) extending along one edge of the web (9) and projecting laterally to both sides of the web, and a second hollow flange (11) extending along the other edge of the web (9) and projecting laterally to one side only of the web. The web (9) includes the central zone and the margins (17, 23) of the original strip secured flatly together by clinches (18, 29), and the hollow flanges are formed from the edge zones of the original strip excluding the margins thereof. The spacing of the clinches is selected so that the shear point of the member's section substantially coincides with the plane of the web.

Abstract: A process for producing xylose from a ligno-cellulosic material comprising xylan-containing hemicellulose in which the ligno-cellulosic material is subjected initially to the three steps (1) hydrolysis to produce an aqueous xylose-containing medium and an insoluble residue; (2) separation of the insoluble residue from the medium; and (3) treatment of the medium to remove organic and/or inorganic nutrients therefrom. The medium is thereafter concentrated to a syrup having a water content in the range 20% to 40% by weight which is then mixed with ethanol and the xylose is separated from the ethanolic solution.

Abstract: A process for the production of lignin in which lignin is precipitated from aqueous solution by acidification and agitation and the precipitated lignin is separated from accompanying liquid in which the lignin-containing solution and the acid are introduced by simultaneous cocurrent flow into an agitated mixing region, the precipitated lignin is separated not more than 60 minutes after precipitation and the separated lignin is subsequently washed. The process can form a step in a general process for the treatment of lignocellulosic materials to produce one or more products including lignin. The process enables the ash content of lignin to be reduced.