Abstract: A method and an apparatus for wetting fibrous material, such as coarsely shredded waste paper. Fibrous material and wetting fluid is introduced into a wetting enclosure. Pressure is decreased within the wetting enclosure for a short period of time for sucking out air from the fibrous material. Pressure is allowed to increase rapidly, whereby wetting fluid is sucked into cavities within the fibrous material and the material is efficiently wetted.

Abstract: A method for treating diverse pulp and paper products to produce a homogenous cellulosic feedstock comprises the steps of feeding diverse pulp and paper products into a vessel, introducing steam into the vessel while agitating the products, purging the gases from the vessel while agitating the products, sealing the vessel so that the vessel is pressure tight, saturating the products with steam at sufficient temperature and pressure to expand molecular structure of the products, while agitating the products, depressurizing the vessel to further enhance the molecular expansion of the products, and discharging the processed products. Alternatively, the method can be performed without purging the gases, if the temperature in the range of about 287° F. to about 312° F., and the pressure is in the range of about 40 to 65 psig.

Abstract: A method for processing straw pulp that includes caustic treatment is provided. The caustic treated straw pulp can be incorporated into a papermaking furnish to provide a paper product. The caustic treated pulp imparts strength to papers incorporating the pulp.

Abstract: This process involves feeding cellulose into an extruder with an acid solution. The extruder is comprised of a screw and a barrel. The screw is rotated so as to pressurize the cellulose, and the cellulose undergoes acid hydrolysis and forms microcrystalline cellulose. The invented process can be accomplished by using pure cellulose or a lignocellulosic material as the starting material. If a lignocellulosic material is used, then a basic solution is added to it and the lignocellulosic material is fed through an extruder so as to obtain a mixture comprising lignin, hemicellulose and cellulose. The lignin and hemicellulose are extracted and the remaining cellulose is processed, as discussed previously, to form microcrystalline cellulose.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for subjecting a material in a liquid to explosive forces is provided. The method and apparatus involve a vessel having a length greater than it width. The vessel has a top which is quickly and easily lockable and removable so as to increase the material processing rate of the vessel.

Abstract: To manufacture a diaphragm of the present invention for use in a loud speaker, first a suspension is made by putting fibers consisting chiefly of polysaccharide constituting fibrous molecules into water. Next, suitable pressure is applied to the suspension and then the suspension is jet out into the air of normal pressure. As a result, water which has penetrated into the fibers expands rapidly. This causes the fibers to be sufficiently loosen and split into fibrils. When the fibrils are used for manufacturing a diaphragm, since the fibrils get sufficiently entangled together, a highly stiff and elastic diaphragm with high internal loss is obtained. Optimum fibrils are obtained by simply adjusting the pressure. Therefore, the control of the manufacturing process is simplified.

Abstract: This invention provides an integrated system for recovering fibers from mixed grades of waste paper and simultaneously cleaning (deinking) waste fibers. The system comprises a mild alkaline pulping process with oxygen and hydrogen peroxide followed by rapid decompression of fibers and then by hot washing.

Abstract: A board composed of a lignocellulosic material and the modification thereof as the substantial components and having good mechanical strength, even when the board does not contain any components derived from an additive, by utilizing the autoadhesion of a specified lignocellulosic substance. This board is produced by molding under heat and pressure a lignocellulosic substance containing at least 30 weight % of a malvaceae bast plant, being substantially free from any component derived from an adhesive, and has a strength value of more than 100 as defined by the following formula (I): 0.48.times.Y/X.sup.2, wherein Y is a bending strength (kgf/cm.sup.2) and X is a density (g/cm.sup.3). A particulaly preferable example of the plant is the kenaf.

Abstract: Novel fiber bundles may be produced as a by-product of sugar cane or other plants. These fiber bundles may be spun into a yarn, or formed into a non-woven mat. The non-woven mat is useful, for example, as a biodegradable geotextile for inhibiting erosion while allowing plants to become established on roadsides, or in other applications. Sugar cane fiber bundles were extracted from the Tilby-separated rind of cane stalks using alkaline treatments. The amount of lignin removed was dependent on alkaline concentration and time, pressure of treatment, and steam explosion conditions if employed. Agitation and vigorous boiling affected the lignin removal. Alkali concentration significantly affected the mechanical properties of the fiber bundles. Tenacity, toughness, and linear density were higher for the fibers extracted at lower alkali concentration. Bending rigidity and hysteresis of these fibers were also higher. This process is also expected to work with other plant stalks having a high lignin content.

Abstract: An energy efficient process for hydrolyzing lignocellulosic materials which comprises using a primary system by providing a start-up energy input to operating saturated steam conditions and thereafter operating the primary system with substantially constant energy input, the condition of the hydrolyzing saturated steam being controlled by water injection and/or steam bleeding from the primary system. The dwell time of the solids stream in the primary sustem is controlled by controlling its passage with flashing off of steam into a secondary system where drying occurs together with some small measure of hydrolysis in a lower pressure superheated steam environment, there being an energy input into the secondary system using steam bled from the primary system. The output solids material stream is preferably capable of being self polymerized into a formed shape eg a board.

Abstract: An energy efficient process for hydrolyzing lignocellulosic materials which comprises using a primary system by providing a start-up energy input to operating saturated steam conditions and thereafter operating the primary system with substantially constant energy input, the condition of the hydrolysing saturated steam being controlled by water injection and/or steam bleeding from the primary system. The dwell time of the solids stream in the primary system is controlled by controlling its passage with flashing off of steam into a secondary system where drying occurs together with some small measure of hydrolysis in a lower pressure superheated steam environment, there being an energy input into the secondary system using steam bled from the primary system. The output solids material stream is preferably capable of being self polymerized into a formed shape eg a board.

Abstract: A process of preparing a suspension of paper making fibers in water for use in the making of paper includes the steps of treating a mass of fibrous materials, such as shredded waste paper materials, with steam under pressure in a closed vessel, and transferring the resulting mixture of treated materials and steam to a second vessel containing a substantial volume of aqueous liquid in such manner that the mixture impacts directly the liquid in the second vessel at very high velocity causing disintegration of the solid materials into essentially separate fibers and contaminant particles accompanied by dispersion of these solids in the liquid in the second vessel. Systems are described for carrying out these process steps on either a continuous or a batch basis.

Abstract: A method of producing high quantities of ethanol and a high quality pulp to produce a variety of papers. The method comprises preparing the bamboo by chipping, shredding and washing. This bamboo fiber is then processed in two stages of prehydrolysis to separate the ethanol producing portion from the pulp producing portion. The ethanol producing portion is condensed and subject to enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation to produce an ethanol product. The pulp producing portion is processed in two stages of digestion to produce a pulp in high yield that is suitable to produce a variety of papers.

Abstract: A method for making a shaped product comprising exploded bark. Preferably the shaped product comprises exploded softwood bark having at least 23% cellulose and at least 18% lignin and polyphenols content, based upon the dry weight basis of the bark. One of the methods to make the shaped product comprises exploding softwood bark to obtain exploded softwood bark having at least 23% cellulose and at least 18% lignin and polyphenols content, compressing that exploded bark into a shaped product, while removing in part water, and drying the shaped product to remove the remaining water.

Abstract: Method is disclosed of treatment of waste paper or the like at high temperatures in the range of 160.degree. C. to about 230.degree. C. The furnish is treated in a digester with or without added chemicals but in the presence of saturated steam. The preferred dwell times are in the range of about 1 minute to about 6 minutes. The treated furnish is then discharged from the digester, preferably, but not exclusively, by an explosive discharge.The advance in the art is in an improved de-inking effect, reduced consumption of chemicals and power. Also, some furnishes previously unsuitable for re-cycling, have been successfully processed by the method of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of intensifying the washing of a fiber suspension. In particular, the present invention relates to decreasing the lignin content of a fiber suspension by extracting. Lignin removal is usually carried out at a consistency of less than 3% whereby heating consumes much energy. The method of the invention allows a considerable increase in the consistency of the suspension which results in that the energy consumption is decreased to a fraction of the one required by prior art methods. A characteristic feature of the method of the invention is that dry substance and chemicals contained in the fibers are extracted at a raised pressure and temperature.

Abstract: The chemical components of lignocellulosic material which have been dissociated by a steam explosion process can be extracted from the mixture of components using a solvent extraction process. The solvents are water, alcohol and a mild caustic in that order, or the alcohol step can be by-passed and only water and caustic are used. The caustic is a stronger solvent and it will extract the alcohol solubles along with the caustic only solubles. The eluant from the these extractions contains a range of lignin derived substances, which have different applications, such as thermoplastic and thermosetting characteristics. This invention describes a method for partitioning these lignin components into reproducible fractions having definable characteristics for particular applications. For instance, many copolymer applications require a thermosetting only fraction of the lignin. Other applications require a thermoplastic only lignin.

Abstract: The chemical components of lignocellulosic material that have been dissociated by a stream explosion process can be extracted from the mixture of components using a solvent extraction process. The dissociated lignocellulosic material is put in a column and the substances which are soluble in water, alcohol and caustic are leached out of the mixture by solvent extraction with relatively small volumes of those solvents. No agitation is used. Substantially pure cellulose remains in the column and it can be bleached before removal from the column.

Abstract: A process for the separation of the fibres from each other in lignocellulosic (straw, bagasse, wood) composites, and at the same time to dissociate the Lignin and the Xylan in the middle lamella and the primary wall of the lignocellulosic material, to enable a simple non reactive solvent extraction of the middle lamella and primary wall components while substantially retaining the structural integrity of the fibre bundle, sometimes referred to as the S2 layer, which is the strength member of the lignocellulosic fibre. The purpose of this process is to produce a fibre suitable to replace conventional Chemical Thermal Mechanical Pulp, for paper or as a carrier for high absorbency Cellulose in diaper and similar absorbent material applications, and at the same time to recover the chemical components of the middle lamella and the primary wall of the fibre, as co-products in a marketable, chemically reactive form.

Abstract: Dissociated lignocellulosic material produced by a process of explosive depressurization is molded into products of widely varying densities. Various fibrous and woody materials can be incorporated into the molded product to give a wide range of nailing and strength characteristics. Color, water repellent, preservative and fire retardant materials can be mixed with the material before molding. Other aggregates can be bound into the molded product which can contain fire enhancement materials for fuel.

Abstract: A method for acid-catalyzed hydrolytic splitting of cellulose to give a high yield in sugar with a minimal expenditure in energy, in particular, with the smallest possible charge of live steam. Admission of steam is performed in a plurality of successive, discrete reaction stages having in each case defined temperature and pressure values in such a manner that the temperature rises from one stage to the next while the reaction time decreases and a rapid expansion takes place subsequently to the last reaction stage. A high pressure poured bed reactor is used for performing this method.

Abstract: Microcrystalline cellulose has many applications in the pharmaceutical, food, paper and structural composite industries. Level off DP (Degree of Polymerization) microcrystalline cellulose is made up of a chain of about 250 glucose molecules in the form of microcrystal. In nature, several microcrystals are hinged together and surrounded by amorphous cellulose to form a cellulose microfibril. If the amorphous cellulose is removed, the resultant product is called level off DP (Degree of Polymerization) microcrystalline cellulose. When lignocellulosic material is processed according to applicant's earlier processes (Canadian Pat. Nos. 1,096,374 and 1,141,376), the dissociated material is partitioned by removing the lignin and the xylan leaving a low DP (320) cellulose fraction.

Abstract: Polyolefin fibers, which are suited for at least partially substituting the cellulose fibers in the manufacture of paper, are produced by a process which consists in preparing in a pressure vessel a solution of a polyolefin at a temperature higher than the boiling temperature of the solvent under normal conditions, and under autogenous pressure or a pressure greater than the autogenous pressure, in ejecting said solution under the above stated conditions into a zone of lower pressure, in allowing the ejected solution to expand at least partially in said zone, and in then hitting the at least partially expanded solution with a jet of a high-speed fluid, which is at a temperature lower than that of the solution, and has an angled direction with respect to the direction of ejection of the solution.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the removal of mold core material from metal castings and for fragmentation of municipal waste material, e.g., paper products, involves heating and hydrating the materials within a pressure vessel. Chemicals active on the material to be processed or the hydration water are added during hydration to soften the material to be removed or fragmented. Excess liquid in the vessel is drained and pressurized steam is added for a selected period of time. A suitable temperature and pressure are achieved such that the moisture or liquid carried by the processed material will rapidly turn to steam or vapor when the pressure in the vessel is rapidly reduced by quickly opening an unloading means at the bottom of the pressure vessel. The sudden release of the pressure in the vessel causes the moisture to change to steam and a certain portion of the liquid in the material to flash to vapor in accordance with thermodynamic laws.

Abstract: This invention comprises a method for increasing the accessibility of cellulose in lignocellulosic materials to chemical or biochemical reagents. The material is steam cooked for a predetermined time, then rapidly depressurized. A venting sequence is used to remove volatiles from the reactor. Optimal cooking times for normal and acid catalyzed cooking are disclosed, according to the discovery of a novel set of governing equations, wherein optimum cooking times can be determined as a time integration of reactor pressure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in defibration of wood chips or similar vegetable material for conveying in steam pulp produced in a refiner (2) to a separator (7) for separating steam and pulp. The separator is bounded against the atmosphere and is kept pressurized by steam, while a limited amount of excess steam is led off. A flow of steam liberated from the pulp is taken from the separator and given an increased pressure for utilization in extracting pulp from the refiner. The steam flow is hereby led through the refiner and further to the separator, whereby the pulp is transferred to the separator by the steam which thus circulates to a considerable extent, said steam having been given the higher pressure either in the refiner itself, by means of pressure increasing means (19) therein, or upstream of the refiner in a separate pressure increasing means (11).

Abstract: Solid Municipal Waste is loaded, or loaded and compacted, into a pressure vessel which has means for very fast opening for discharging the contents. The pressure vessel is pressurized, with steam, or a compressed gas such as compressed air. The pressure vessel can be fitted with a breech and a quick release muzzle cover and at the discharge end (muzzle) thereof is fitted with an orifice whose purpose is to promote a powerful turbulence and shock wave, through which the exiting solid material must pass to maintain pressure within the vessel during discharge, and to control the rate of discharge. The disruptive forces produced at the orifice, which can be either a sub-sonic, sonic, or supersonic flow orifice, are a function of the strength of the shock wave or the turbulence. The discharged material is then gravity separated in the wet or dry conditions and the separated materials are then employed in additional processes, or employed as landfill depending on its chemical and physical properties.

Abstract: A method for recovering cellulosic fibres from thermoplastic-fibreboard laminates such as fruit juice and milk cartons. The method involves heating the laminate in a pulping liquor to a temperature equal to or greater than the softening point of the thermoplastic material. This is followed by cooling to a temperature below the softening point and defibration by mechanical or explosive means. The method results in a mixture of thermoplastic fragments and cellulosic fibres which can be readily separated by conventional means. Pressure may be applied to the laminate/liquor system to accelerate the process.

Abstract: A uniquely designed nozzle is described for assisting the liberation of fibres from cellulosic material during an explosive defibration process. The nozzle is constructed with a plurality of internal bars so as to provide a tortuous path to the material passing therethrough from a region of high pressure to a region of low pressure.

Abstract: Lignocellulose material is mechanically compacted and subjected to sudden pressure increase by exposure to saturated steam in a digestor vessel in the absence of added chemical reagents to obtain a cooked material which is then mechanically compacted while under said saturated steam pressure. Small portions of the cooked and mechanically compacted material are thereafter subjected to rapid reduction in pressure down to atmospheric pressure and then recovered in a condition of enhanced digestibility by ruminants.

Abstract: Cellulose fibers are treated by providing the fibers in a 10-90% concentration in liquid, and applying elastic pressure shocks to the fibers for a duration not exceeding one second and of a magnitude causing the pressure in the interior of the fibers to exceed 0.2 atmospheres excess pressure. Thereafter the fibers are permitted to expand. The pressure shocks cause liquid to be expelled from the fibers without permanent deformation of the fibers occurring. When the fibers expand, liquid is adsorbed. These steps are repeated until the fibers are completely impregnated with liquid. This prevents the formation of fiber knots when the fibers are substantially dried before being formed into paper. The elastic pressure shocks can be applied by a rotating paddle wheel which intermittently elastically compresses the fibers against an elastic surface of a container.

Abstract: A process is provided for freeing cellulose fibers from lignocellulosic material, which comprises subjecting particulate lignocellulosic material to irradiation at a frequency within the range from about 10 to about 300,000 MHz (megahertz), at an intensity of at least 0.5 megajoule per kg. of material, applied in a short pulse having a duration of at most 0.1 second, at such an intensity the water present in the lignocellulosic material is rapidly and even explosively vaporized, and disrupts or destroys the natural structure of the lignocellulosic material, thereby freeing the fibers substantially without deleterious effect upon the length or strength of the fibers.