Abstract: A method and system for the production of fibers for use in biocomposites is provided that includes the ability to use both retted and unretted straw, that keeps the molecular structure of the fibers intact by subjecting the fibers to minimal stress, that maximizes the fiber's aspect ratio, that maximizes the strength of the fibers, and that minimizes time and energy inputs, along with maintaining the fibers in good condition for bonding to the polymer(s) used with the fibers to form the biocomposite material. This consequently increases the functionality of the biocomposites produced (i.e. reinforcement, sound absorption, light weight, heat capacity, etc.), increasing their marketability. Additionally, as the disclosed method does not damage the fibers, oilseed flax straw, as well as all types of fibrous materials (i.e. fiber flax, banana, jute, industrial hemp, sisal, coir) etc., can be processed in bio composite materials.

Abstract: Provided herein is an apparatus of manufacturing a molding material for use in a method of manufacturing a molding material that can prevent a crack from occurring in the molding material. A cylindrical die (3) is slid downward along an upper hollow compression mold (4) and a lower hollow compression mold (2) with a molding material (35) held between the upper hollow compression mold (4) and the lower hollow compression mold (2). After that, the upper hollow compression mold (4) is moved upward to relatively move the upper hollow compression mold (4) and the lower hollow compression mold (2) away from each other. After a slurry diffusion member (7) is removed, the molding material (35) is taken out.

Abstract: A method and system for the production of fibers for use in biocomposites is provided that includes the ability to use both retted and unretted straw, that keeps the molecular structure of the fibers intact by subjecting the fibers to minimal stress, that maximizes the fiber's aspect ratio, that maximizes the strength of the fibers, and that minimizes time and energy inputs, along with maintaining the fibers in good condition for bonding to the polymer(s) used with the fibers to form the biocomposite material. This consequently increases the functionality of the biocomposites produced (i.e. reinforcement, sound absorption, light weight, heat capacity, etc.), increasing their marketability. Additionally, as the disclosed method does not damage the fibers, oilseed flax straw, as well as all types of fibrous materials (i.e. fiber flax, banana, jute, industrial hemp, sisal, coir) etc., can be processed in bio composite materials.

Abstract: A pretreatment apparatus for removing pith from cornstalks and separating husks therefrom includes a casing that receives cornstalks in a free-fall manner through an upper side thereof and allows the corn stalks to be discharged through a lower side thereof, and a rotor inserted into the casing and rotating inside the casing to hit cornstalk chips. The rotor includes a shaft inserted into the casing to be rotated by external force, a cover member holding the shaft so as to allow rotation of the shaft therein and connected to the entirety or part of an open upper side of the casing, and a hitting unit formed on a circumference of the shaft and hitting the corn stalks input into the casing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for increasing the concentration of xylose in lignocellulosic hydrolysate. The method includes the step of extruding lignocellulosic material and mixing the lignocellulosic material with diluted acid and the step of conducting hot-water extraction on the mixture. Hence, the concentration of the xylose in the lignocellulosic hydrolysate can achieve a high concentration of 60 g/L, and the yield of the xylose can reach to 90%.

Abstract: A process for producing dissolving pulp includes a degumming step using a degumming liquor which includes hydrogen peroxide and ammonia.

Abstract: A process for producing bamboo fiberfill from raw bamboo fiber includes, obtaining a bale of the raw bamboo fiber, picking up and separating the raw bamboo bale fiber into tufts of bamboo fiber with a bale opener, feeding the bamboo fiber tufts into a blending hopper configured to blend the bamboo fiber tufts, feeding the blended bamboo fiber tufts into a beater configured to open the bamboo fiber tufts, and feeding the opened bamboo fiber tufts into a fine opener configured to reduce the size of the opened bamboo fiber tufts and refine the opened bamboo fiber tufts into the bamboo fiberfill, wherein the bamboo fiberfill has a fiber length of about 30 millimeters to about 60 millimeters and a linear density of about 0.5 denier to about 5.0 denier.

Abstract: A hammermill for singulating cellulosic fibers from a wet pulp sheet includes a cylindrical housing, a feed slot with a breaker bar positioned therein and a rotor mounted for rotation in the housing. Feed rolls are provided to feed a sheet of pulp into the feed slot upstream of the breaker bar. A plurality of hammers are mounted on the rotor. Air is introduced into the hammermill housing tangentially downstream from the second feed slot. An air outlet is positioned tangentially on the housing downstream from the air inlet to allow air and singulated fibers to escape. A process for producing singulated fibers includes wetting a fiber sheet, milling the fibers in the hammermill, and drying the fibers. The singulated fibers have a low knot content.

Abstract: Methods for recycling latex-containing broke are generally provided. Specifically, mechanical treatment may be employed to rework latex-containing broke for reuse in various products without the need for treatment with chemicals, such as hypochlorite, chlorine, or hypochlorous acid. As a result of mechanical treatment, fiber aggregates are formed that have a relatively small size. For instance, a large portion of the resulting fiber aggregates may be relatively free from the latex polymer. Specifically, the fiber aggregates can contain a “core” of latex from which extend short fibers and/or fragments that are uncoated with the latex. The result is fiber aggregates that are uniquely “partially coated” with a latex polymer. When recycled in paper products, these fiber aggregates may impart a variety of benefits, such as increased bulk retention and high water capacity without any loss in absorbency rate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for defibering recycled fiber material in a drum pulper provided with a substantially horizontal drum. Recycled fiber material and water are fed to the drum pulper and the drum of the drum pulper is simultaneously rotated. When the drum rotates, the recycled fiber material rises up in the rotating drum and finally, due to gravitational force, falls back down. After falling and hitting to the bottom, the recycled fiber material is defibered, forming a fiber pulp mixture with water. A value of at least one parameter describing the defibration process or fiber pulp properties is measured on the basis of the drum pulper or the resultant fiber pulp mixture, and this value is used for controlling the rotation speed of the drum of the drum pulper. The invention also relates to a drum pulper implementing the method of the invention.

Abstract: A method in connection with the production of mechanical pulp from a cellulose containing material wherein the material is processed in at least one refining step to produce pulp. According to the invention, the pulp is fractionated (4), after a first refining step (1), in order to separate primary fines (5) from the pulp. The invention also relates to a mechanical pulp, produced by the method, and to a paperboard, which at least partly consists of such mechanical pulp.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is a method for making mechanical pulp, such as thermomechanical or chemi-thermomechanical stock. The mechanical pulp is used as a raw material for printing paper, and its freeness value is 30-70 ml CSF. The stock refined by the method is screened in several stages to form accept and reject stock portions. The wood raw material is refined at the first stage of refining at a superatmospheric pressure of over 400 kPa to form a stock that has a freeness value of 250-700 ml CSF.

Abstract: A process for refining lignocellulose raw materials, especially wood chips, saw dust, annual plants or wood waste, includes dewatering the lignocellulose raw materials discharged from a digester, extracting condensate produced during dewatering, and refining the dewatered lignocellulose raw materials in a refiner.

Abstract: A method of producing pulp for use in making paper products using microwave radiation to pretreat the source of pulp prior further processing. Practising the method of the invention results in substantial energy savings while decreasing environmental impact and improving paper qualities.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is a method for making mechanical pulp, such as thermomechanical or chemi-thermomechanical stock. The mechanical pulp is utilised as a raw material for printing paper, and its freeness value is 30—70 ml CSF. According to the method, the refined stock is screened in several stages into accept and reject stock portions. The stock is screened at a consistency of not less than 10%.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for fiberizing bales of pulp into substantially dry fibers and fiber aggregates, i.e., dry fluff, and metering the resulting dry fluff to a receptacle or other process, such as an airlaid process for making disposable absorbent articles.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method, an apparatus and a screen for screening mechanical fibre pulp. According to the invention a short fibre material is separated using a gap screen, whereby said material can be very efficiently separated to form a specific fraction.

Abstract: A method of producing a high quality paper pulp slurry from high silica content lignocellulosic agricultural waste materials is provided. The method includes combining the agricultural waste materials with a chemical composition to form a mixture, sautéing the mixture, and grinding the sautéed mixture to provide the pulp slurry. The method results in greater than 55 percent solids recovery in the pulp slurry relative to the starting lignocellulosic agricultural waste materials, and removes substantially none of the lignin from the agricultural waste materials.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and compositions for processing poultry feathers. In one embodiment, the method for processing poultry feathers comprises contacting a plurality of poultry feathers having an average particle size with a detergent capable of imparting a static charge to the plurality of poultry feathers; reducing the average particle size of the plurality of poultry feathers; increasing entanglement of the plurality of poultry feathers; adding an anionic polymeric adduct to the plurality of poultry feathers; adding a cationic species to the plurality of poultry feathers; and dewatering the plurality of poultry feathers. In another embodiment, a composition for processing poultry feathers, comprises a detergent capable removing at least a portion of fats and oils from a poultry feather and imparting a static charge to the poultry feather; an antimicrobial compound; an anionic polymeric adduct; and a cationic species.

Abstract: A pulper in a stock preparation system includes a housing with a fiber inlet, at least one water inlet, at least one outlet and an inner chamber. A plurality of rotatable augers extend into the inner chamber.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is a method for making mechanical pulp, such as thermomechanical or chemi-thermomechanical stock. The mechanical pulp is utilised as a raw material for printing paper, and its freeness value is 30-70 ml CSF. According to the method, the refined stock is screened in several stages into accept and reject stock portions. The stock is screened at a consistency of not less than 10%.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system that adjusts the operational parameters of a fiber filter apparatus to keep measured properties indicative of paper quality, such as the paper's porosity, within desired value ranges. A feedback loop may be set up in which input properties are read, such as the paper's porosity and the pollution content of the filtrate leaving the fiber filter. These inputs go into a predictive model that determines how to adjust the fiber filter's operational parameters in order to move the measured paper quality properties into their desired value ranges while accommodating other constraints on the fiber filter's operation. The model looks at positive and negative correlations between the operational parameters and the measured inputs. Having processed the inputs and predicted an outcome, the predictive model directs controllers to change the operational parameters of the fiber filter. The input properties are again read, and the feedback loop is repeated.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of cellulosic pulp capable of being defibrated (fluffed) for the manufacture of an absorbent material intended to be incorporated as a component in absorbent products. A stock of cellulosic fibres in aqueous suspension is pH-adjusted to 4<pH<8, that at least any water-soluble, non-polymeric aluminium salt is added to the stock, said salt in aqueous solutions at said pH forming at least any hydrocomplex with aluminium of the type Al(OH)nx, where n is a number between 1 and 3, and x is o, + or 2+, that said salt in aqueous solution is caused to act on the cellulosic fibres in said suspension at said pH during a period of time of at least 2 min, and that the fibre pulp thereafter is formed to a web, which is dewatered and dried. The invention also relates to the prepared cellulose pulp as such and to its use in absorbent products.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for pretreating or conditioning lignocellulose fiber containing feed material in preparation for conversion to pulp. Wood chips are pretreated under conditions of elevated temperature, pressure and humidity and subsequently compressed to cause destructuring of the fibers of the feed material. The pretreated wood chips are then converted to pulp using such methods as the ground wood pulping process or chemical digestion process.

Abstract: A method for producing paper pulp containing fibers of annual plants or of secondary raw materials produced therefrom, whereby fiber materials are shortened to a length which permits production of a homogeneous, pumpable suspension of the shortened fiber materials. The fiber materials are subsequently bleached and processed into a homogeneous paper pulp.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for treating a gas containing aqueous fiber suspension in a fiber line process of a pulp mill including at least one of pulp screening, washing and bleaching includes (a) transferring the gas containing fiber suspension at a consistency to a treatment station; (b) treating said fiber suspension at the same level by removing a portion of the water from the fiber suspension so as to generate aqueous filtrate and treated fiber suspension having a relatively higher consistency; (c) simultaneously pumping and degassing the filtrate at the same level; and (d) pumping the treated fiber suspension having the relatively higher consistency away from the treatment station at the same level by imparting to the treated fiber suspension sufficient shear force so as to render the fiber suspension pumpable.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus is described for the manufacture of fibrous material containing ligno cellulose for the production of fibre boards by the dry process, wherein cleaned and mechanically dewatered starting material such as hacked chips, hacked shavings or the like pass into a preheating stage and are subsequently broken down into fibre material. In order to use the water which arises on mechanical dewatering of the cleaned starting material which contains lignocellulose in a manner which is particularly friendly to the environment and also particularly economical, provision is made for the water which arises on dewatering a starting material which is cleaned by a mechanical process to be fed completely to a preheating stage.

Abstract: The present process produces a long fiber suitable for making various paper products. The long fiber is derived from Crotalaria juncea. The processing consists of a particular technique for preparing the fiber for digestion and a particular digestion sequence. In the preparation of the fiber for digestion it is dried to less than about 30 percent moisture, moist depithed, washed and wet depithed. The fiber is then processed at a high caustic concentration using a sequence of digestion-pressure reduction-digestion. Optionally there can be a third stage of digestion with a pressure reduction prior to the digestion. After digestion has been completed the fiber is refined and sent to blowdown. The fiber is then screened, washed and bleached. The resulting long fiber will product a high quality paper or is admixed with short fibers and various paper products can be made.

Abstract: A non-bonding pulp is obtained by contacting a cellulosic pulp with a non-oxidizing gaseous medium at a temperature of at least 400.degree. F. for a period of time greater than 3 seconds or more. When a cellulose pulp comprising at least about 10% hemicellulose, i.e., wood pulp, is treated thermally with a non-oxidizing gaseous medium, a novel non-alpha pulp is obtained. When formed into a substrate such as a 60-70 pound per 3000 square feet paper, the thermally treated pulp forms a non-bonding cellulosic substrate possessing (i) a void fraction of at least 0.85, (ii) a porosity of at least 30 cubic feet per minute per square foot, and (iii) sufficient tensile strength to withstand the tension of wind-up, e.g., at least 6 lbs/inch.

Abstract: Apparatus for washing fiber stock, comprising a substantially horizontally disposed rotating screen drum, means for supplying fiber stock to one end of said screen drum for passage along the screen surface through said screen drum, means for removing fiber stock from the other end of said screen drum, and a longitudinally extending liquid supply member fixedly mounted beneath the center axis of the screen drum, immersed in the fiber stock. The apparatus is provided with suction chambers and it acts as a screen with self-suction.

Abstract: Process and apparatus are provided for the preparation of improved high-yield cellulose pulps, such as semichemical, chemimechanical, thermomechanical, and mechanical pulps, which comprises mechanically defibrating a mixture of particulate lignocellulosic materials which have been partially pulped and softened to different extents. Part of the raw lignocellulosic material is particulate form is washed, moistened with steam, impregnated with pulping chemicals and pulped to a yield of from about 65 to about 92%. Another part is treated in similar manner but either not pulped at all or, if pulped, pulped to a lesser extent. The two parts are mixed without intermediate washing, after which the mixture is subjected to a vapor phase pulping by heating to a temperature within the range from about 90 to about 200.degree. C. under pressure to obtain softening of the lignin, and delignification, after which the resulting product is mechanically defibrated to form cellulose pulp.

Abstract: The preservation of metabolically active matter such as fruit, vegetables, meat, fowl, shrimp, fish, other food, cut flowers, cuttings, foliage plants and the like is disclosed, characterized by storage at controlled and correlated conditions of hypobaric pressure, temperature, humidity, air circulation and air exchange. A non-deleterious gas such as air is humidified by contacting it with heated water from a supply, and then the humid air is passed through, and when advisable, recirculated and/or rehumidified within a storage chamber containing the metabolically active matter. The relative humidity is maintained within the range of about 80 to 100% and the pressure is maintained continuously or intermittently at a selected value at least slightly higher than the vapor pressure of the water in the stored commodity.