Abstract: An integrated plant that includes a steam explosion process unit and biomass gasifier to generate syngas from biomass is discussed. A steam explosion process unit applies a combination of heat, pressure, and moisture to the biomass to make the biomass into a moist fine particle form. The steam explosion process unit applies steam with a high pressure to heat and pressurize any gases and fluids present inside the biomass to internally blow apart the bulk structure of the biomass via a rapid depressurization of the biomass with the increased moisture content. Those produced moist fine particles of biomass are subsequently fed to a feed section of the biomass gasifier, which reacts the biomass particles in a rapid biomass gasification reaction to produce syngas components.

Abstract: An integrated plant generates syngas from biomass, where the integrated plant includes a Thermo Mechanical Pulping (TMP) process, a biomass gasifier, a methanol synthesis process, and a liquid fuel generation process. Biomass is received as a feedstock in the TMP process. The biomass is pre-treated in the TMP process for subsequent supply to the biomass gasifier by using a combination of heat, pressure, moisture, and mechanical agitation that are applied to the biomass to make the biomass into a pulp form. The TMP process breaks down a bulk structure of the received biomass, at least in part, by applying steam to degrade bonds between lignin and hemi-cellulose from cellulose fibers of the biomass. Next, the broken down particles of the biomass are reacted in a biomass gasification reaction at a temperature of greater than 700 degrees C. to create syngas components, which are fed to a methanol synthesis process.

Abstract: An integrated plant that includes a steam explosion process unit and biomass gasifier to generate syngas from biomass. A steam explosion process unit applies a combination of heat, pressure, and moisture to the biomass to make the biomass into a moist fine particle form. The steam explosion process unit applies steam with a high pressure to heat and pressurize any gases and fluids present inside the biomass to internally blow apart the bulk structure of the biomass via a rapid depressurization of the biomass with the increased moisture content. Those produced moist fine particles of biomass are subsequently fed to a feed section of the biomass gasifier, which reacts the biomass particles in a rapid biomass gasification reaction to produce syngas components.

Abstract: An integrated plant that includes a steam explosion process unit and biomass gasifier to generate syngas from biomass is discussed. A steam explosion process unit applies a combination of heat, pressure, and moisture to the biomass to make the biomass into a moist fine particle form. The steam explosion process unit applies steam with a high pressure to heat and pressurize any gases and fluids present inside the biomass to internally blow apart the bulk structure of the biomass via a rapid depressurization of the biomass with the increased moisture content. Those produced moist fine particles of biomass are subsequently fed to a feed section of the biomass gasifier, which reacts the biomass particles in a rapid biomass gasification reaction to produce syngas components.

Abstract: An integrated plant that includes a steam explosion process unit and biomass gasifier to generate syngas from biomass. A steam explosion process unit applies a combination of heat, pressure, and moisture to the biomass to make the biomass into a moist fine particle form. The steam explosion process unit applies steam with a high pressure to heat and pressurize any gases and fluids present inside the biomass to internally blow apart the bulk structure of the biomass via a rapid depressurization of the biomass with the increased moisture content. Those produced moist fine particles of biomass are subsequently fed to a feed section of the biomass gasifier, which reacts the biomass particles in a rapid biomass gasification reaction to produce syngas components.

Abstract: A biomass composition of matter to be used in a torrefaction process or a biomass gasification reaction is described. The biomass in a particle form is created in a pretreatment step that occurs prior to the torrefaction process or the biomass gasification reaction. A bulk structure of the biomass is 1) stripped apart to at least partially separate an outer layer of lignin in the biomass from the cellulose fibers, 2) internally blown apart to create fragments of the fiber bundle, and 3) any combination of the two in the pretreatment step. The biomass in particle form has a length to thickness aspect ratio on average of less than 300 to 1, a thickness on average of less than 100 microns thick and a length on average of less than 3000 microns.

Abstract: Generation of a liquid fuel product in an integrated multiple zone plant is discussed. Syngas components are supplied to a methanol (CH3OH) synthesis reactor from outputs of a first zone containing a torrefaction unit and a second zone containing a biomass gasifier that are combined in parallel and that thermally decompose biomass at different operating temperatures. Char particles of the biomass generated in the first zone are fed to the biomass gasifier in the second zone. Gasoline is produced via a methanol to gasoline process in a third zone, which receives its methanol derived from the syngas components fed to the methanol synthesis reactor. The gasoline derived from biomass is blended with condensable volatile materials including C5+ hydrocarbons collected during the pyrolyzation of the biomass in the torrefaction unit in the first zone in order to increase an octane rating of the blended gasoline.

Abstract: An integrated plant generates syngas from biomass, where the integrated plant includes a Thermo Mechanical Pulping (TMP) process, a biomass gasifier, a methanol synthesis process, and a liquid fuel generation process. Biomass is received as a feedstock in the TMP process. The biomass is pre-treated in the TMP process for subsequent supply to the biomass gasifier by using a combination of heat, pressure, moisture, and mechanical agitation that are applied to the biomass to make the biomass into a pulp form. The TMP process breaks down a bulk structure of the received biomass, at least in part, by applying steam to degrade bonds between lignin and hemi-cellulose from cellulose fibers of the biomass. Next, the broken down particles of the biomass are reacted in a biomass gasification reaction at a temperature of greater than 700 degrees C. to create syngas components, which are fed to a methanol synthesis process.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for making a papermaking belt are provided, the belt comprising a reinforcing structure and a resinous framework joined together. The preferred continuous process comprises the steps of depositing a flowable resinous material onto a patterned molding surface; continuously moving the molding surface and the reinforcing structure at a transport velocity such that at least a portion of the reinforcing structure is in a face-to-face relationship with a portion of the molding surface; applying a fluid pressure differential to transfer the flowable resinous material from the molding surface onto the reinforcing structure and causing the flowable resinous material and the reinforcing structure to join together; and solidifying the resinous material thereby forming the resinous framework joined to the reinforcing structure.

Abstract: A paper machine for manufacturing textured soft paper comprises a press section with a press nip, through which an impermeable belt and a felt run with the fibrous web between them, a drying cylinder and a transfer roll forming a nip for transfer of the web to the drying cylinder. According to the invention the belt is a texturing belt having a back layer and a web-contacting layer having depressions with surface portions situated between them to form a relief pattern in the web upon passage through the press nip, the texturing belt running from the press to the drying cylinder in order to carry the textured web to the transfer nip. The felt runs away from the texturing belt before a water film formed in the press nip on the texturing belt breaks up. A device is provided before the transfer nip to apply adhesive on the drying cylinder.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for imprinting a web. A yankee drum and pressure roll are juxtaposed to form a nip. An imprinting member, such as through air drying belt or other patterning belt is interposed in the nip. A felt is also interposed in the nip, contacting the backside of the imprinting member. The imprinting member carries a paper web. The paper web is imprinted in the nip and simultaneously transferred to the yankee drying drum. The nip may be formed with a vacuum roll juxtaposed with the felt. The vacuum roll may remove from the felt and hence the web.

Abstract: A paper machine for manufacturing textured soft paper comprises a press section with a press nip, through which an impermeable belt and a felt run with the fibrous web between them, a drying cylinder and a transfer roll forming a nip for transfer of the web to the drying cylinder. According to the invention the belt is a texturing belt having a back layer and a web-contacting layer having depressions with surface portions situated between them to form a relief pattern in the web upon passage through the press nip, the texturing belt running from the press to the drying cylinder in order to carry the textured web to the transfer nip. The felt runs away from the texturing belt before a water film formed in the press nip on the texturing belt breaks up. A device is provided before the transfer nip to apply adhesive on the drying cylinder.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for making a papermaking belt are provided, the belt comprising a reinforcing structure and a resinous framework joined together. The preferred continuous process comprises the steps of depositing a flowable resinous material onto a patterned molding surface; continuously moving the molding surface and the reinforcing structure at a transport velocity such that at least a portion of the reinforcing structure is in a face-to-face relationship with a portion of the molding surface; applying a fluid pressure differential to transfer the flowable resinous material from the molding surface onto the reinforcing structure and causing the flowable resinous material and the reinforcing structure to join together; and solidifying the resinous material thereby forming the resinous framework joined to the reinforcing structure.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for making a papermaking belt are provided, the belt comprising a reinforcing structure and a resinous framework joined together. The preferred continuous process comprises the steps of depositing a flowable resinous material onto a patterned molding surface; continuously moving the molding surface and the reinforcing structure at a transport velocity such that at least a portion of the reinforcing structure is in a face-to-face relationship with a portion of the molding surface; applying a fluid pressure differential to transfer the flowable resinous material from the molding surface onto the reinforcing structure and causing the flowable resinous material and the reinforcing structure to join together; and solidifying the resinous material thereby forming the resinous framework joined to the reinforcing structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wet pressed paper web. The web has a first relatively high density region having a first thickness K, a second relatively low density region having a second thickness P, which is a local maxima, and a third region extending intermediate the first and second regions. The third region includes a transition region having a third thickness T, which is a local minima. The present invention also provides a method of making a wet pressed web. An embryonic web of papermaking fibers is formed on a foraminous forming member, and transferred to an imprinting member to deflect a portion of the papermaking fibers in the embryonic web into deflection conduits in the imprinting member. The web and the imprinting member are then pressed between first and second dewatering felts in a compression nip to further deflect the papermaking fibers into the deflection conduits in the imprinting member and to remove water from both sides of the web.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wet pressed paper web. The web has a first relatively high density region having a first thickness K, a second relatively low density region having a second thickness P, which is a local maxima, and a third region extending intermediate the first and second regions. The third region includes a transition region having a third thickness T, which is a local minima. The present invention also provides a method of making a wet pressed web. An embryonic web of papermaking fibers is formed on a foraminous forming member, and transferred to an imprinting member to deflect a portion of the papermaking fibers in the embryonic web into deflection conduits in the imprinting member. The web and the imprinting member are then pressed between first and second dewatering felts in a compression nip to further deflect the papermaking fibers into the deflection conduits in the imprinting member and to remove water from both sides of the web.

Abstract: Tissue paper products comprising a two component chemical softener composition and binder materials, either permanent or temporary wet strength binders, and/or dry strength binders are disclosed. The two component chemical softening composition comprises a quaternary ammonium compound and a polysiloxane compound. Preferred quaternary ammonium compounds include dialkyl dimethyl ammonium salts such as di(hydrogenated)tallow dimethyl ammonium chloride and/or di(hydrogenated)tallow dimethyl ammonium methyl sulfate. Preferred polysiloxanes include amino-functional polydimethyl polysiloxanes wherein less than about 10 mole percent of the side chains on the polymer contain an amino-functional group.

Abstract: Tissue paper products comprising a two component chemical softener composition and binder materials, either permanent or temporary wet strength binders, and/or dry strength binders are disclosed. The two component chemical softening composition comprises an ester-functional ammonium compound and a polysiloxane compound. Preferred ester-functional ammonium compounds include diester dialkyl dimethyl ammonium salts such as diester di(touch hardened)tallow dimethyl ammonium chloride and/or di(hydrogenated)tallow dimethyl ammonium chloride. Preferred polysiloxanes include amino-functional polydimethyl polysiloxanes wherein less than about 10 mole percent of the side chains on the polymer contain an amino-functional group.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for making soft tissue paper which includes providing a dry tissue web and then applying a sufficient amount of a functional-polysiloxane softener compound to the dry web. The softener application process includes the steps of mixing a functional-polysiloxane compound with a suitable nonvolatile diluent, such as a mineral oil, forming an emulsion containing the functional-polysiloxane compound and nonvolatile diluent using a volatile solvent, such as water, and surfactant emulsifier, applying the emulsion to a heated transfer surface, evaporating the volatile solvent from the emulsion to form a film, and then contacting the dry tissue web with the heated transfer surface. Preferably, the tissue web is dried to a moisture level below its equilibrium moisture content before application of the functional-polysiloxane material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for making soft tissue paper which includes providing a dry tissue web and then applying a sufficient amount of a functional-polysiloxane softener compound to the dry web. The softener application process includes the steps of mixing a functional-polysiloxane compound with a suitable nonvolatile diluent, such as a nonfunctional-polysiloxane, forming an emulsion containing the functional-polysiloxane compound and nonvolatile diluent using a volatile solvent, such as water, and surfactant emulsifier, applying the emulsion to a heated transfer surface, evaporating the volatile solvent from the emulsion to form a film, and then contacting the dry tissue web with the heated transfer surface. Preferably, the tissue web is dried to a moisture level below its equilibrium moisture content before application of the functional-polysiloxane material.