Abstract: The invention is directed towards methods, compositions, and apparatus for accurately detecting the presence and amounts of contaminants in wastewater. The method comprises the steps of adding to a volume of wastewater at least one tracer molecule, observing the tracer for indications of particular contaminants, conducting at least one second form of contamination detection, and interrelating the two measured properties to identify the specific composition of the contamination. Using a tracer molecule allows for the detection of otherwise hard to detect oils and grease. Use of the second method however compensates for tracer interfering contaminants and allows for more accurate readings. The invention includes feeding of functional chemicals in response to the detections and conducting the detections online and continuously.

Abstract: A method of treating brown stock in a brown stock washing process is provided. The method includes measuring a refractive index of a brown stock; and dosing an additive to the brown stock according to at least the refractive index of the brown stock. A system for controlling dosing of an additive to a brown stock washing process is also provided. The system includes a refractive index measurement device; a controller configured to receive data provided by the refractive index measurement device and transform the data into additive addition output instructions; and an additive delivery unit configured to receive and execute the additive addition output instructions from the controller.

Abstract: The invention is directed towards methods, compositions, and apparatus for accurately detecting the presence and amounts of contaminants in wastewater. The method comprises the steps of adding to a volume of wastewater at least one tracer molecule, observing the tracer for indications of particular contaminants, conducting at least one second form of contamination detection, and interrelating the two measured properties to identify the specific composition of the contamination. Using a tracer molecule allows for the detection of otherwise hard to detect oils and grease. Use of the second method however compensates for tracer interfering contaminants and allows for more accurate readings. The invention includes feeding of functional chemicals in response to the detections and conducting the detections online and continuously.

Abstract: The invention is directed towards methods, compositions, and apparatus for accurately detecting the presence and amounts of contaminants in wastewater. The method comprises the steps of adding to a volume of wastewater at least one tracer molecule, observing the tracer for indications of particular contaminants, conducting at least one second form of contamination detection, and interrelating the two measured properties to identify the specific composition of the contamination. Using a tracer molecule allows for the detection of otherwise hard to detect oils and grease. Use of the second method however compensates for tracer interfering contaminants and allows for more accurate readings. The invention includes feeding of functional chemicals in response to the detections and conducting the detections online and continuously.

Abstract: Dewatering agents and methods of dewatering wastewater slurries are provided. Also disclosed are methods for improving the separation of solids from water. The water may be produced water, raw water, or wastewater, for example. The dewatering agents can be in solutions and the dewatering agent solutions may include various components in addition to soy protein, soy flour or a combination of soy flour and soy protein.

Abstract: Compositions and methods that preserve and enhance the brightness of pulp, and also improve the color of pulp or paper, when applied during different stages of a papermaking process, are disclosed. The compositions and methods maintain or enhance brightness, prevent yellowing, and enhance the performance of paper products. The compositions can include a mixture of reducing agents and can also include optical brighteners, chelants, polycarboxylates, or other additives. The mixture of reducing agents can include a borohydride, such as sodium borohydride, and any other reducing agent, such as a sulfite or bisulfite.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and compositions for improving the oxygen delignification process. The methods may include adding low doses of a borohydride stabilized in an alkaline solution to brownstock pulp. The methods may result in significant chemical savings, increased pulp brightness, increased pulp yield, and reduced kappa number.

Abstract: Bleaching methods and formulations for bleaching/delignification processes for chemical pulp are provided. The bleaching methods utilize peroxide and an organomanganese complex under aqueous caustic conditions, increasing bleaching efficiency of the overall bleaching/delignification process. Chemical pulp having increased brightness can be obtained at decreased temperatures and with reduced stage time, resulting in reduced chemical consumption and improved energy efficiency.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of improving the digestion of wood chips into pulp. The method involves: adding a cross-linked glycerol-based polymer additive to a solution used in the digestion process. This additive is unexpectedly effective at facilitating digestion. The branched and ether structure of the additive allows it to withstand the harsh nature of a high stress environment. In addition, it is more soluble in the harsh condition than other surfactants. The structure, resistance, and particular balance between hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions, causes the additive to increases the interaction between the wood chips and the digestion chemicals. This in turn reduces the costs, the amount of additive needed, and the amount of reject wood chunks that result from the digestion process.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of improving the digestion of wood chips into pulp. The method involves: adding a cross-linked glycerol-based polymer additive to a solution used in the digestion process. This additive is unexpectedly effective at facilitating digestion. The branched and ether structure of the additive allows it to withstand the harsh nature of a high stress environment. In addition, it is more soluble in the harsh condition than other surfactants. The structure, resistance, and particular balance between hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions, causes the additive to increases the interaction between the wood chips and the digestion chemicals. This in turn reduces the costs, the amount of additive needed, and the amount of reject wood chunks that result from the digestion process.

Abstract: Dewatering agents and methods of dewatering wastewater slurries are provided. Also disclosed are methods for improving the separation of solids from water. The water may be produced water, raw water, or wastewater, for example. The dewatering agents can be in solutions and the dewatering agent solutions may include various components in addition to soy protein, soy flour or a combination of soy flour and soy protein.

Abstract: The invention is directed towards methods and compositions for processes based on the combination of organic peroxyacids and ammonium salts that preserve and enhance the response to optical brighteners (fluorescent whitening dyes), brightness and improve color of pulp or paper when applied during different stages of the papermaking process are identified. The composition and method improve response to optical brighteners (fluorescent whitening dyes), maintain and/or enhance brightness and enhance the performance of paper products. Used in combination with optical brighteners the described agents produce a synergistic effect not previously identified in the paper process.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for measuring the formation of scale within a process system. The method involves measuring changes in the cell fouling as reflected on the refraction index measurements of a liquid medium with a refractometer and determining the scale formation from changes in the cell fouling factor. This allows for a refractometer to determine the formation of scale in locations that otherwise would not be measurable.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for measuring the formation of scale within a process system. The method involves measuring changes in the cell fouling as reflected on the refraction index measurements of a liquid medium with a refractometer and determining the scale formation from changes in the cell fouling factor. This allows for a refractometer to determine the formation of scale in locations that otherwise would not be measureable.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for enhancing the digestion of pulp in a chemical pulping process. The method uses ultra-low, economically feasible dosages of BH applied right before the pulping process begins, in a stable alkaline solution fed into white liquor line, to improve the process by saving pulping chemicals, increasing pulp brightness and yield and reducing the kappa number.

Abstract: Compositions and methods that preserve and enhance the brightness of pulp, and also improve the color of pulp or paper, when applied during different stages of a papermaking process, are disclosed. The compositions and methods maintain or enhance brightness, prevent yellowing, and enhance the performance of paper products. The compositions can include a mixture of reducing agents and can also include optical brighteners, chelants, polycarboxylates, or other additives. The mixture of reducing agents can include a borohydride, such as sodium borohydride, and any other reducing agent, such as a sulfite or bisulfite.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a composition comprising activated magnesium hydroxide, a thickening agent for said magnesium hydroxide, water, an emulsifier, and an oil comprising tall oil fatty acid. In certain embodiments, the composition contains no caustic soda or hydrogen peroxide. The composition comprises from about 5% to about 70% by weight magnesium hydroxide, based upon the weight of the composition. The composition is useful in pulp deinking. In certain embodiments, the thickening agent may be xanthan gum, and the emulsifier may be sodium lauryl sulfate.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of improving the digestion of wood chips into pulp. The method involves: adding a cross-linked glycerol-based polymer additive to a solution used in the digestion process. This additive is unexpectedly effective at facilitating digestion. The branched and ether structure of the additive allows it to withstand the harsh nature of a high stress environment. In addition, it is more soluble in the harsh condition than other surfactants. The structure, resistance, and particular balance between hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions, causes the additive to increases the interaction between the wood chips and the digestion chemicals. This in turn reduces the costs, the amount of additive needed, and the amount of reject wood chunks that result from the digestion process.

Abstract: The invention is directed towards methods, compositions, and apparatus for accurately detecting the presence and amounts of contaminants in wastewater. The method comprises the steps of adding to a volume of wastewater at least one tracer molecule, observing the tracer for indications of particular contaminants, conducting at least one second form of contamination detection, and interrelating the two measured properties to identify the specific composition of the contamination. Using a tracer molecule allows for the detection of otherwise hard to detect oils and grease. Use of the second method however compensates for tracer interfering contaminants and allows for more accurate readings. The invention includes feeding of functional chemicals in response to the detections and conducting the detections online and continuously.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of improving the digestion of wood chips into pulp. The method involves: adding a liphohydrophilic glycerol-based polymer additive to a solution used in the digestion process. This additive is unexpectedly effective at facilitating digestion. The branched and ether structure of the additive allows it to withstand the harsh nature of a highly alkaline environment. In addition, it is more soluble in high pH than other surfactants. The structure, resistance, and particular balance between hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions, causes the additive to increases the interaction between the wood chips and the digestion chemicals. This in turn reduces the costs, the amount of additive needed, and the amount of reject wood chunks that result from the digestion process.