Abstract: Methods for producing structural materials from lumber are provided. The methods use an oxygen pre-treatment or a carbonate pre-treatment followed by densification via thermal compression to produce structural materials with strong mechanical properties. The pre-treatments are able to partially delignify the lumber without substantially adversely affecting the mechanical properties of the subsequently densified wood.

Abstract: Methods of fractionating lignocellulosic biomass using maleic acids are provided. Also provided are methods of forming lignin particles, furans, sugars, and/or lignocellulosic micro- and nanofibrils from the liquid and solid fractions produced by fractionation process. The fractionation can be carried out at low temperatures with short reaction times to carboxylate and dissolve lignin with a low degree of condensation.

Abstract: Methods of fractionating lignocellulosic biomass using maleic acids are provided. Also provided are methods of forming lignin particles, furans, sugars, and/or lignocellulosic micro- and nanofibrils from the liquid and solid fractions produced by fractionation process. The fractionation can be carried out at low temperatures with short reaction times to carboxylate and dissolve lignin with a low degree of condensation.

Abstract: Methods of fractionating lignocellulosic biomass using maleic acids are provided. Also provided are methods of forming lignin particles, furans, sugars, and/or lignocellulosic micro- and nanofibrils from the liquid and solid fractions produced by fractionation process. The fractionation can be carried out at low temperatures with short reaction times to carboxylate and dissolve lignin with a low degree of condensation.

Abstract: Methods of fractionating lignocellulosic biomass using hydrotropic solid organic acids are provided. Also provided are methods of forming lignin particles, furans, sugars, and/or lignocellulosic micro- and nanofibrils from the liquid and solid fractions produced by fractionation process. The fractionation can be carried out at low temperatures with short reaction times.

Abstract: Methods of fractionating lignocellulosic biomass using hydrotropic solid organic acids are provided. Also provided are methods of forming lignin particles, furans, sugars, and/or lignocellulosic micro- and nanofibrils from the liquid and solid fractions produced by fractionation process. The fractionation can be carried out at low temperatures with short reaction times.

Abstract: Methods of fractionating lignocellulosic biomass using hydrotropic sulfonic acids are provided. Also provided are methods of forming lignin particles, furans, sugars, and/or lignocellulosic micro- and nanofibrils from the liquid and solid fractions produced by fractionation process. The fractionation can be carried out at low temperatures with short reaction times.

Abstract: Methods of fractionating lignocellulosic biomass using hydrotropic sulfonic acids are provided. Also provided are methods of forming lignin particles, furans, sugars, and/or lignocellulosic micro- and nanofibrils from the liquid and solid fractions produced by fractionation process. The fractionation can be carried out at low temperatures with short reaction times.

Abstract: Methods of pretreating lignocellulosic biomass in preparation for enzymatic saccharification and fermentation are provided. Also provided are methods of producing ethanol from lignocellulosic biomass via enzymatic saccharification and fermentation that utilize the pretreatment method. In the methods, pretreatment is conducted in two stages. In the first stage, the lignocellulosic biomass is treated in a mildly acidic or near pH-neutral solution to promote delignification and lignin sulfonation, while minimizing the formation of degradation products that inhibit subsequent enzymatic saccharification and/or fermentation. In the second stage, the pH of the solution is decreased in order to promote the depolymerization and dissolution of hemicelluloses in the lignocellulosic biomass.

Abstract: Methods of pretreating lignocellulosic biomass in preparation for enzymatic saccharification and fermentation are provided. Also provided are methods of producing ethanol from lignocellulosic biomass via enzymatic saccharification and fermentation that utilize the pretreatment method. In the methods, pretreatment is conducted in two stages. In the first stage, the lignocellulosic biomass is treated in a mildly acidic or near pH-neutral solution to promote delignification and lignin sulfonation, while minimizing the formation of degradation products that inhibit subsequent enzymatic saccharification and/or fermentation. In the second stage, the pH of the solution is decreased in order to promote the depolymerization and dissolution of hemicelluloses in the lignocellulosic biomass.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are presented for determining the quantity of liquid and solid content in a removal stream of a froth created from a suspension that is generated during a froth flotation operation. Specifically, electrodes are immersed in the froth generated from a suspension having a known quantity of fiber particles, and the conductance of the froth is measured to establish a relationship between the measured conductance and the quantity of fiber particles. The electrodes are then submerged in a froth generated from a suspension having an unknown quantity of fiber particles, and the froth conductance is measured. The quantity of fiber particles in the froth can then be determined from the pre-established relationship between conductance and solid particle content.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are presented for determining the quantity of liquid and solid content in a removal stream of a froth created from a suspension that is generated during a froth flotation operation. Specifically, electrodes are immersed in the froth generated from a suspension having a known quantity of fiber particles, and the conductance of the froth is measured to establish a relationship between the measured conductance and the quantity of fiber particles. The electrodes are then submerged in a froth generated from a suspension having an unknown quantity of fiber particles, and the froth conductance is measured. The quantity of fiber particles in the froth can then be determined from the pre-established relationship between conductance and solid particle content.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are presented for determining the quantity of liquid and solid content in a removal stream of a froth created from a suspension that is generated during a froth flotation operation. Specifically, electrodes are immersed in the froth generated from a suspension having a known quantity of fiber particles, and the conductance of the froth is measured to establish a relationship between the measured conductance and the quantity of fiber particles. The electrodes are then submerged in a froth generated from a suspension having an unknown quantity of fiber particles, and the froth conductance is measured. The quantity of fiber particles in the froth can then be determined from the pre-established relationship between conductance and solid particle content.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are presented for determining the quantity of liquid and solid content in a removal stream of a froth created from a suspension that is generated during a froth flotation operation. Specifically, electrodes are immersed in the froth generated from a suspension having a known quantity of fiber particles, and the conductance of the froth is measured to establish a relationship between the measured conductance and the quantity of fiber particles. The electrodes are then submerged in a froth generated from a suspension having an unknown quantity of fiber particles, and the froth conductance is measured. The quantity of fiber particles in the froth can then be determined from the pre-established relationship between conductance and solid particle content.