Abstract: A tobacco production system is provided for producing useable tobacco material having chemical and physical properties acceptable to tobacco industry stakeholders, by growing tobacco entirely in a directly seeded system, under an intensive biomass growing system, mechanically harvesting above-ground portions of the plant a plurality of times during the growing season, curing tobacco leaves and stalks together, and processing the cured tobacco material to obtain cured leaf material suitable for use in tobacco products including, but not limited to, cigarettes, cigars, snus, snuff, chewing tobacco, pipe tobacco, reconstituted tobacco material, and other manufactured tobacco products.

Abstract: A method of curing tobacco comprises drying a harvested tobacco plant in a controlled environment for a time sufficient to substantially prevent the formation of at least one nitrosamine. The tobacco is first subjected to the controlled environment while at least a majority of the tobacco is in a green state. The resulting cured tobacco usually has tobacco-specific nitrosamine (TSNA) levels which are undetectable and are similar to levels found in freshly harvested, green tobacco.

Abstract: A process for expanding tobacco is provided which employs carbon dioxide gas. Tobacco temperature and OV content are adjusted prior to contacting the tobacco with carbon dioxide gas. A thermodynamic path is followed during impregnation which allows a controlled amount of the carbon dioxide gas to condense on the tobacco. This liquid carbon dioxide evaporates during depressurization helping to cool the tobacco bed uniformly. After impregnation, the tobacco may be expanded immediately or kept at or below its post-vent temperature in a dry atmosphere for subsequent expansion.

Abstract: Process for improving the fillability of tobacco, such as cut tobacco leaves or ribs and tobacco additives by treating the tobacco in an autoclave with a containing nitrogen and/or argon at pressures up to 1000 bar, with subsequent decompression and a gas heat treatment. The tobacco or the treatment gas supplied to the reactor and/or the decompression step are carried out in such a way that the discharged tobacco which is thereafter supplied to a subsequent heat treatment has a temperature, at introduction to the heat treatment step, below 0.degree. C. This is achieved by precooling the treatment gas prior to supplying it to the autoclave or cooling the treatment gas while supplying it to the autoclave and/or additionally cooling the autoclave and/or precooling the tobacco and/or injecting subcooled or liquefied treatment gas into the autoclave. The process includes multistage treatment gas whereby supply and decompression steps are carried out in a cascade-like manner.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for increasing the filling power of tobacco which comprises heating the tobacco at elevated temperature while maintaining the OV and SV values of the tobacco substantially constant. Preferably, the tobacco is heated at a temperature of at least about 80.degree. C. in a closed system for a time sufficient to increase the CV value of the tobacco.

Abstract: The invention disclosed is an apparatus for increasing the filling capacity of cured tobacco by evaporatively freeze-drying water expanded tobacco and effecting heating of the tobacco by infrared radiation. The treated tobacco has increased filling capacity without suffering disadvantageous results.

Abstract: The invention disclosed is a method for increasing the filling capacity of cured tobacco by evaporatively freeze-drying water expanded tobacco and effecting heating of the tobacco by infrared radiation. The treated tobacco has increased filling capacity without suffering disadvantageous results.