Abstract: The present invention allows the production of nanocellulose in dry form, enabling incorporation into a wide variety of end-use applications. Some variations provide a nanocellulose-slurry dewatering system comprising: a nanocellulose slurry feed sub-system; a pre-concentration unit (e.g., a centrifuge) to remove at least a portion of the water from the nanocellulose slurry; an inlet for a dispersion/drying agent; a twin-screw extruder in flow communication with the nanocellulose slurry feed sub-system, wherein the twin-screw extruder intimately mixes the nanocellulose slurry and the dispersion/drying agent, wherein the twin-screw extruder shears the nanocellulose slurry, and wherein the twin-screw extruder is configured with one or more extruder vents to remove water from the nanocellulose slurry; and an extruder outlet for recovering a nanocellulose-dispersion concentrate. A milling device may be employed to generate a fine powder of the nanocellulose-dispersion concentrate.

Abstract: Catalyst composition and parameters for catalytic hydrothermal liquefaction of biomass to bio-oil fuels target municipal solid waste (MSW) rather than lignin rich plant waste typically sought for bio-oil production. An HTL (Hydrothermal Liquefaction) reactor generates bio-fuel from municipal solid waste (MSW), including receiving, in the HTL reactor, non-lignin based waste from a municipal processing stream, and adding a solvent for extracting sugars from green waste components of the municipal processing stream. The reactor extracts a liquid from the received waste, and converts water soluble products in the liquid into oil soluble products via C—C (carbon-to-carbon) coupling reactions. A catalyst added to the resulting aqueous stream recovers a beneficial oil product, and is optimized by tuning acid and base sites on the solid catalyst.

Abstract: Paper comprised solely of a nonwood fiber mix is demonstrated to meet the technical physical specifications of commercially produced papers made from wood. The esthetically impressive paper meets nearly every technical specification of commercially produced paper.

Abstract: A process for separating the components of lignocellulosic biomass for the purpose of producing a pure reactive cellulose is disclosed. The process has two stages. In the first stage, the lignocellulosic biomass is pretreated with steam, with or without an acid catalyst, and then pressed, with or without the presence of an eluent, to remove hemicellulose and other impurities. In the second stage, the pretreated biomass is extracted with a solvent such as ethanol with or without acid catalysts in order to remove lignin and release a purified cellulose stream. The extracted cellulose is then rapidly decompressed to rupture the fibrous structure. The process provides a purified cellulose stream that is relatively easy to hydrolyze with enzymes and ferment to biofuels and other chemicals such as ethanol.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a continuous process for pretreating a lignocellulosic feedstock. A feedstock slurry is provided, which has a solids concentration of 10% to 33% by weight. The feedstock slurry is pumped through a heating train of at least two stages, each stage including a pump to increase stage pressure and a direct steam injection to heat the feedstock slurry. Acid is also added to the feedstock slurry prior to the heating train, during a heating stage, or after leaving the heating train; the acid is added at a concentration of 0% to 12% weight of acid on weight of initial feedstock. A heated, acidified feedstock slurry is thus produced. The heated, acidified feedstock slurry is flowed through a pre-treatment reactor at a temperature of 160° C. to 280° C. for a time sufficient to increase efficiency of conversion of cellulose in the feedstock to glucose using cellulase enzymes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for enhancing a refiner's production rate and/or reducing the specific energy consumption for a freeness target through the use of lubricant(s) or carrier(s)/frictionizer(s), respectively.

Abstract: Biomass is pretreated using a low concentration of aqueous ammonia at high biomass concentration. Pretreated biomass is further hydrolyzed with a saccharification enzyme consortium. Fermentable sugars released by saccharification may be utilized for the production of target chemicals by fermentation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for treating biomass composed of integrated feedstocks to produce fermentable sugars. One aspect of the methods described herein includes a pretreatment step wherein biomass is integrated with an alternative feedstream and the resulting integrated feedstock, at relatively high concentrations, is treated with a low concentration of ammonia relative to the dry weight of biomass. In another aspect, a high solids concentration of pretreated biomass is integrated with an alternative feedstream for saccharifiaction.

Abstract: A method is provided for subjecting a material which is partially in a solid state and partially in a liquid state to explosive forces. The method includes containing the material in a vessel having a length in a first direction and a width in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the length being greater than the width; subjecting the material to the explosive forces in the vessel, the explosive forces being caused by introducing energy to the material by discharging a capacitor through a capacitor discharge electrode located within the material; and removing the material from the vessel after being subjected to the explosive forces.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for solvent pulping of cellulose-containing biomass utilizes at least one steaming vessel, a plug screw feeder or compression screw device, at least one super-atmospheric impregnation vessel, a solvent delignification reactor capable of operating at a pressure of 350 psig or more, and a solvent containing line for introducing solvent-containing liquor at the plug screw feeder outlet or compression screw device outlet. The process and system can also include at least one series connected pressure diffuser and optionally a retention tube downstream of each pressure diffuser to provide sufficient retention time to substantially preclude re-deposition of lignin on the cellulose fibers of the biomass, a blow tank connected to the last of the pressure diffusers and retention tubes, and vessels for multistage alcohol washing.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process of treating a lignocellulosic material to produce bio-ethanol. The process includes the steps of: (a) exposing the ligno-cellulosic material to conditions including a pH not less than about 8, and steam at a first pressure, to produce a step (a) product; (b) explosively discharging the step (a) product to a second pressure less than the first pressure-to produce a step (b) product; and (c) further processing the step (b) product to produce bio-ethanol and other co-products. In another embodiment, the invention relates to a conical auger fractionation column. The fractionation column includes a column body having an input and an output. A conical filter is positioned inside the column body, the filter having a larger diameter end directed toward the input and a smaller diameter end directed toward the output.

Abstract: In impregnating or extracting treatments of resin-containing wood substrates using a resin-soluble supercritical fluid as delivering or extractive solvent medium problems due to exudation of resin from the wood substrate at pressure release necessary before the termination of the treatment are avoided or reduced by a controlled pulsating pressure release down to atmospheric pressure. Thereby the total process time can be substantially reduced.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the treatment of solids with pressurized liquid gases, in particular liquid ammonia, with which the to be treated solid is fed into a pressure reactor at atmospheric pressure. Subsequently the pressurized liquid gas is fed to the pressure reactor and after a pre-set dwell time the resultant liquid gas/solid mixture is expanded explosion-like into an expansion tank. With this at least two reactors are operated in a time-staggered manner. Furthermore an apparatus is described for the treatment of solids with pressurized liquid gases, which comprises at least two parallel arranged pressure reactors for the alternating taking in of a solid and a liquid gas, which each have inlet and outlet openings for the solid provided with shut-off elements as well as each at least one inlet opening for the liquid gas, at least one expansion tank which is connected to the respective pressure reactors, and conveying means for feeding the solid as well as the liquid gas.

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: 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: 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: 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: Preservatives and oil are extracted from treated wood. For this purpose, treated wood that is intended to be discarded is comminuted, the chips are impregnated with an alkaline solution until softening of the chips and modification of the chemical state of the products to be extracted. Possibly, the chips may be treated with saturated steam at a temperature between 170.degree. C. and 210.degree. C. followed by an explosive decompression giving wood fragments. This is followed by a refining operation in a crusher permitting the grinding of the wood. The result is a substantial release of the preservatives and oil from the wood chips which are at least partly disintegrated. The chemical preservatives and the oil are collected separately from the wood chips in the aqueous phases which are produced in the impregnation, steam cooking-explosive decompression and refining steps.

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: Bamboo can be formed into a suitable pulp if prior to digestion it undergoes a process of shredding, washing and wet depithing. The fibers are then chemically digested preferably by a process which uses rapid pressure drops to open the fibers using the energy contained in the wet superheated fibers.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved process for preparing pulp suitable for paper making. Although processes using explosive decompression have been known in the past, it has been believed that these must be conducted at relatively low temperatures. Although such known processes of explosive decompression resulted in a saving of power, the physical strength was low, the color was relatively dark and there was a considerable yield loss. This invention is to provide a process to achieve the saving of power resulting from the use of explosive decompression but in which there is good brightness, high yield and good fiber strength. The process of this invention defines conditions for achieving these objectives. These conditions include impregnation of the chips of other wood fragments under specified conditions and cooking with saturated steam at a high temperature and pressure followed by explosive decompression and refining.

Abstract: A process for thermomechanical digestion using a multiple blowdown technique. The digestion chemical is added just prior to blowdown which results in a concentration of digesting chemicals on the fiber. The process can be carried out with a digester having multiple chambers, each at a lower pressure has many advantages in forming pulps suitable for newsprint or fine papers from wood and vegetable fiber sources. The digester should be of a kind where the fiber will have a greater residence time in subsequent chambers.

Abstract: The brightness of a thermomechanical pulp can be improved if a serial multiple blowdown technique is used and a bleachant is present at an effective concentration throughout the thermomechanical pulping process.

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: Washed wood pulp from a continuous digester is treated with oxygen in the blow line from the digester. Most of the treatment occurs within the mixer. The mixer has a mixing zone with a swept area of 10,000 to 1,000,000 square meters per metric ton of oven-dry pulp. A preferred range is 25,000 to 150,000 square meters per ton of oven-dry pulp and an optimum range is around 65,400 square meters per metric ton of oven-dry pulp. Following mixing, the pulp may be taken to a subsequent process, a diffusion washer, or to a storage tank.

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 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: 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.