Abstract: Paper products such as tissues can be made using a furnish comprising surface enhanced pulp fibers (“SEPF”). In some embodiments, SEPF have a weighted average fiber length of at least 0.3 millimeters (mm) and an average hydrodynamic specific surface area of at least 10 square meters per gram (m2/g). In some embodiments, a furnish or a paper product can comprise at least 2 % SEPF by dry weight. In some embodiments, a paper product comprising SEPF can be formed from a furnish having a freeness of 650 ml Canadian Standard Freeness (CSF) or less, optionally 600 ml CSF or less.

Abstract: According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided a use of molar mass controlled cellulose in injection molding, extrusion and three dimensional printing applications.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for reducing pulp viscosity in production of dissolving pulp. The method comprises producing cellulose pulp, whereby the obtained cellulose pulp has a cellulose content of at least 90%, and bleaching the obtained cellulose pulp. The cellulose pulp is treated after bleaching with performic acid.

Abstract: Disclosed is a modified refiner system for the acetylation of wood chip and/or wood fiber. The invention comprises a process for the acetylation of wood chip in a refiner system including a feed hopper component, a non-steam digester component and a refiner (defibrator) component in which the chip is contacted with an acetylating fluid between the hopper and the digester components within a connecting multi-zone compression feed screw.

Abstract: A method to make pulp adapted for forming a corrugated medium, the method includes: cooking chips in a cooking vessel using a caustic carbonated pulping soda/caustic (SC) cooking liquor injected into the cooking vessel; fiberizing the chips discharged from the cooking vessel to form a pulp, and removing lignin from the pulp or oxidizing lignin in the pulp by injecting oxygen (O2) into the fiberized pulp.

Abstract: A method to make pulp adapted for forming a corrugated medium, the method includes: cooking chips in a cooking vessel using a caustic carbonated pulping soda/caustic (SC) cooking liquor injected into the cooking vessel; fiberizing the chips discharged from the cooking vessel to form a pulp, and removing lignin from the pulp or oxidizing lignin in the pulp by injecting oxygen (O2) into the fiberized pulp.

Abstract: A method of producing hardwood pulp is provided. This method comprises treating hardwood chips with one or more than one Family 11 xylanase enzyme in the absence of adding an oxidizing enzyme for about 5 minutes to about 120 minutes, to produce a treated chip mixture. The treated chip mixture is then mechanically refined to produce the hardwood pulp.

Abstract: A composite wood product containing acetylated wood elements characterized by an average value in thickness swelling not exceeding 5% after subjection to 25 wet-dry/freeze-thaw cycles as described in Table II. Alternative characterizations include moduli of elasticity and rupture, and bending strength. A two stage process for the acetylation of wood elements is also described.

Abstract: A process for treating cellulosic fibers comprises mechanically pre-treating the fibers followed by treating the fibers with an enzyme and thereafter mixing the fibers with a solution comprising an alkali metal hydroxide followed by mechanically treating the fibers to form microfibrillated cellulose. In this way it is possible to produce microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) in an improved and energy efficient way.

Abstract: Method for the production of mechanical or chemi-mechanical pulp as raw material for paper or cardboard. According to this method, the pulp is fibrillated and the fibrillated pulp is bleached in alkaline conditions. According to the present invention, the pulp is screened to separate the reject from the accept, at maximum approximately 60% of the total amount of pulp is separated as the reject, the reject is bleached separate from the accept, and, after that, the bleached reject is remixed with the accept. When operating according to the present invention, the strength of the pulp increases and the energy used for refining is reduced, which is seen both in the refining of the reject and in the post-refining of the final mechanical pulp.

Abstract: Methods of producing mechanical pulps from lignocellulosic material including partial defibration of lignocellulosic material in a chip press followed by liquid impregnation, preheating the lignocellulosic material for 20 seconds or less at a pressure between 7.5 and 12 bar (gauge) prior to mechanically refining the lignocellulosic material in a primary mechanical refiner at a pressure between 7.5 and 12 bar (gauge), thus obtaining a high freeness pulp.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of microfibrillated cellulose wherein the process comprises the steps of, providing a slurry comprising fibers, adding the slurry to an extruder, treating the slurry in the extruder so that the fibers are defibrillated and microfibrillated cellulose is formed. The invention further relates to a microfibrillated cellulose produced.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and process in which pulp is produced using a chemical mechanical pulping process, during which lignocellulosic material undergoes fiberization without chemical impregnation. Chemical treatment of the lignocellulosic material is performed during or after fiberization of the material to become fiber bundles.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method of hydrolysis of wet fiber and a method for preparing ethanol. Generally, an agricultural plant material, such as corn hulls, distiller's dried grains, or spent germ, is treated to at least partially hydrolyze the fiber. The process may include a maceration step followed by a shearing operation in the presence of steam to yield a treated product, in which, in many embodiments, saccharides will be released and unbound from fibrous portions of the agricultural product. In some embodiments, the process includes macerating the material to provide a slurry having a solids content of at least 10 percent and jet cooking the slurry. A mixture of saccharides prepared in this fashion may be fermented to yield ethanol and/or biochemicals.

Abstract: A process for treating cellulosic fibers comprising pre-treating the fibers with an enzyme in a first enzymatic treatment followed by mechanical pre-treating the fibers in a first mechanical treatment and a second enzymatic treatment followed by a second mechanical treatment of the fibers to form micofibrillated cellulose. In this way it is possible to produce mircofibrillated cellulose (MFC) in an improved and energy efficient way.

Abstract: A method for bleaching pulp includes introducing a bleaching liquor in at least one refiner to contact lignocellulosic particulates processed therein in the formation of pulp, wherein the bleaching liquor includes at least one peroxide, magnesium sulfate, caustic hydroxide, at least one chelating agent, and less than 0.1%, or less than 0.01%, or less than 0.001% by weight silicate based on dry weight of the lignocellulosic particulates. Magnesium perhydroxide is generated in situ in the refining system with bleaching of the particulates during refining and reduced scale occurs by use of the silicate or essentially silicate free conditions. A free or essentially silicate-free bleaching liquor which can provide highly brightened pulps also is described.

Abstract: A mechanical pulping method including: defibrating a comminuted cellulosic material; mechanically refining the defibrated cellulosic material in a primary refining step; introducing to the cellulosic material at least one of a chemical agent and a biological during the defibration step or the mechanical refining step, and producing pulp from the refined and defibrated cellulosic material.

Abstract: This invention provides a composition and method for improving a mechanical pulping process by decreasing freeness and amount of shives, providing energy and chemical savings, and enhancing brightness and mechanical strength of a paper product made from a pulp material in the process. The composition includes formulations, such as surfactants, chelants, hydrotropes, reductive and oxidative pulp modifiers, and pH-controlling chemicals. The method includes selectively introducing these formulations to the pulp material in the mechanical pulping process.

Abstract: A non-compression vessel, such as a digester, is employed for the chemical preconditioning of the chips followed by a fiberizing device to break the preconditioned chips down to fiber bundles, which are then washed before a high consistency chemical treatment. The digester may be one such as used in conventional chemical pulping of wood with or without screens for the extraction of chemical. If extracted this chemical could be recirculated to the digester with treatment in the circulation loop such as heating or the addition of dilution or other chemicals. This digester may be hydraulic or vapor phase (that is contain a vapor space within the digester), and operate in either a continuous or batch fashion. This digester allows for the discharge of material without the use of a screw mechanism. The digester treated material is then defiberized to convert the chips into course fiber bundles, which then is washed and dewatered.

Abstract: The invention combines the step of adding chemicals such as alkaline peroxide to an intermediate line after refining, with the step of applying chemicals such as alkaline peroxide as a pre-treatment before primary refining and/or applying chemicals such as alkaline peroxide at the primary refiner. This is implemented in the preferred embodiment, by pre-treating feed material, refining the materials into a pulp in a superatmospheric refiner, and adding chemicals in the post refining blowline.

Abstract: A process for applying chemicals, such as an alkaline peroxide pretreatment (1) to lignocellulosic material before chemical refining and at the primary refiner (3). The preferred embodiment comprises (i) preconditioning at temperatures below 95° C., especially below 80° C., (ii) limiting the time and/or temperature in the refiner, (iii) reaction quench to maintain temperatures below 80° C., and (iv) subsequent high consistency bleaching (4).

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

Abstract: The invention combines the step of adding chemicals such as alkaline peroxide to an intermediate line after refining, with the step of applying chemicals such as alkaline peroxide as a pre-treatment before primary refining and/or applying chemicals such as alkaline peroxide at the primary refiner. This is implemented in the preferred embodiment, by pre-treating feed material, refining the materials into a pulp in a superatmospheric refiner, and adding chemicals in the post refining blowline.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing bleached mechanical and chemithermomechanical pulp is provided, having enhanced bleaching effect, wherein lignocellulose material is passed through at least one preheater or through a chemical treatment system, a steam separator and a refiner where the lignocellulose material is converted into a pulp suspension which, after steam separation, is passed at least to a storage vessel and to a screening department, from which the major part of the pulp suspension is separated as a substantially finished product or is separated and further treated. The reductive bleaching agent is added to the advancing pulp suspension without a bleaching tower. The method is characterized by adding the bleaching agent at a location downstream of the refiner and upstream of the screening department, and by bleaching the pulp under drastic conditions of temperature and minimized oxygen access at the location and immediately downstream of the location.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the production of texturized microcrystalline cellulose from raw pulp material. This texturized microcrystalline cellulose can then be used for surface treatment of paper or paper board. Additionally, the texturized microcrystalline cellulose may be used as a starting material for production of paper or paper board.

Abstract: The present invention serves for loading a pulp suspension (S) with calcium carbonate. Liquid calcium hydroxide as milk of lime (7) is added during or before the pulp operation (1) carried out to form the pulp. By introducing gaseous carbon dioxide (8) into the pulp suspension thus treated, a chemical reaction is triggered therein, in which the finely divided calcium carbonate is precipitated. The present invention is particularly economic and effective due to the early addition of calcium oxide or calcium hydroxide.

Abstract: Wood chips having low bleachability are impregnated with a chemical liquor at a pH range of 7-12 in aqueous solution and the chemical liquor from the impregnated chips is drained, whereby extractives contained in the chips and consuming bleaching agents can be removed to improve the effect of bleaching agents in a subsequent bleaching step. Bleached mechanical pulp is prepared by defibration by primary refining—bleaching—beating by secondary refining wherein pulp fibers are washed after defibrating wood chips having low bleachability and before bleaching the pulp fibers, whereby the amount of bleaching agents used can be reduced and bleached mechanical pulp having a Hunter brightness of 45-65% after secondary refining can be obtained.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for producing pulp from fibrous lignocellulose material using a treatment step which exposes the material to oxalic acid, or oxalic acid and sodium bisulfite, prior to pulping. The pulping of the resulting product requires less energy input and provides a pulp having enhanced physical properties as compared to untreated materials.

Abstract: A system for treating pulp comprises a dewatering device (2) for dewatering the pulp to a fiber concentration of at least 20%, a closed pulp-shredding vessel (16) for shredding the dewatered pulp, and an outlet pipe (22) from the pulp-shredding vessel. A transport screw (18) is arranged in the outlet pipe for transporting the shredded pulp from the pulp-shredding vessel through the outlet pipe through a reactor vessel (6) for bleaching the shredded pulp through reaction with ozone gas. The outlet pipe (22) is designed with a heightened roof portion (27), so that an upper gas space (29) free from pulp is formed in the outlet pipe between the roof portion and the transport screw. A flow-restraining member in the form of a partition wall (31) is arranged in the upper gas space in the outlet pipe for restraining the gas flow through the gas space, whereby the pumping action of the transport screw in the outlet pipe is decreased.

Abstract: A method to enhance brightness in Chemical and Mechanical pulps comprising adding an organic sulfide chelant is described and claimed. A method to enhance delignification in a Chemical pulp comprising adding an organic sulfide chelant is also described and claimed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for delignifying lignocellulosic raw materials by using sulfites in the presence of an alkaline component, especially sodium hydroxide or sodium carbonate or a mixture thereof in an aqueous solution at a high temperature and high pressure. The invention is characterized in that a first partial fragment of the alkaline component is added when the aqueous solution starts to decompose and in that at least a second partial fragment of the alkaline component is added only when delignification begins.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the production of texturized microcrystalline cellulose from raw pulp material. This texturized microcrystalline cellulose can then be used for surface treatment of paper or paper board. Additionally, the texturized microcrystalline cellulose may be used as a starting material for production of paper or paper board.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved process for manufacturing bleached thermomechanical aspen pulp having reduced yellow after treatment with aluminum based chemicals such as alum which are used in paper making processes. In this improved process the pulp is washed prior to, after or between the bleaching stages or a combination of the foregoing.

Abstract: In a new process for preparing pulped wood chips for paper making, chips from a hardwood such as eucalyptus are inoculated with aliving culture of one or more white rot fungi. The fungi propagate throughout the body of the wood chip, selectively attacking the lignin of the wood without harming the cellulosic fibers. Subsequent mechanical pulpting results in reduced utilization of energy, improved strength, and reduced cooking time.

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: 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: There is a need for a cheaper method of producing bleached TMP and CTMP without impairing the properties of the pulp.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the production of texturized microcrystalline cellulose from raw pulp material. This texturized microcrystalline cellulose can then be used for surface treatment of paper or paper board. Additionally, the texturized microcrystalline cellulose may be used as a starting material for production of paper or paper board.

Abstract: Composite panels and pulp, and paper products of the pulp, are produced from Arundo donax. In the fabrication of the composite panels, Arundo donax is comminuted to a suitable size, combined with a binder, and consolidated into panels that meet standards for construction and/or furniture grade panels. The Arundo donax particulates may be combined with wood particulates to produce a mixed furnish that can be used in the preparation of composite panels. Comminuted Arundo donax is treated, in conventional pulping processes, to produce a high tensile strength pulp that can be used in the production of paper. The pulp has a lighter color than wood pulp, and thereby uses less bleaching chemicals to achieve a desired whiteness. The pulp can be combined with wood pulp to produce a variety of products.

Abstract: A process for applying chemicals, such as an alkaline peroxide pretreatment (1) to lignocellulosic material before chemical refining and at the primary refiner (3). The preferred embodiment comprises (i) preconditioning at temperatures below 95° C., especially below 80° C., (ii) limiting the time and/or temperature in the refiner, (iii) reaction quench to maintain temperatures below 80° C., and (iv) subsequent high consistency bleaching (4).

Abstract: In a new process for preparing pulped wood chips for paper making, chips from a hardwood such as eucalyptus are inoculated with aliving culture of one or more white rot fungi. The fungi propagate throughout the body of the wood chip, selectively attacking the lignin of the wood without harming the cellulosic fibers. Subsequent mechanical pulpting results in reduced utilization of energy, improved strength, and reduced cooking time.

Abstract: Composite panels and pulp, and paper products of the pulp, are produced from Arundo donax. In the fabrication of the composite panels, Arundo donax is comminuted to a suitable size, combined with a binder, and consolidated into panels that meet standards for construction and/or furniture grade panels. The Arundo donax particulates may be combined with wood particulates to produce a mixed furnish that can be used in the preparation of composite panels. Comminuted Arundo donax is treated, in conventional pulping processes, to produce a high tensile strength pulp that can be used in the production of paper. The pulp has a lighter color than wood pulp, and thereby uses less bleaching chemicals to achieve a desired whiteness. The pulp can be combined with wood pulp to produce a variety of products.

Abstract: The present invention aims firstly to provide a novel technique capable of preparing bleached pulp having high brightness from materials having low bleachability containing high levels of extractives and secondly to provide a technique capable of reducing the amount of bleaching agents used in processes for preparing bleached mechanical pulps.

Abstract: The present invention's modifying method for wood elements includes a step for soaking wood elements in one or a mixture of acetic anhydride, acetic acid, or chloroacetic acid; and a step for acetylating the impregnated wood elements in a gaseous phase. This method makes it possible to reduce the time required for the step of acetylating the wood elements, simplifies the process, reduces fabrication costs, and enables fabrication of a wood fiberboard having high dimensional stability.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an improved method for refining cellulose that produces a highly refined cellulosic material. The method comprises soaking raw material in a mild NaOH using reduced temperatures and pressures, and refining the material with a plate refiner so that a waste water stream is reduced in volume and has a pH within a range of 8 to 9. The present invention also comprises a HRC gel having a lignin concentration of at least about one (1)% by weight, and a water retention capacity of about 25 to at least about 56 g H2O/g dry HRC.

Abstract: A method of modifying a two-dimensional, flat fiber morphology of a never-been-dried wood pulp into a three-dimensional twisted fiber morphology without the aid of a chemical cross-linker. The method includes the steps of treating a never-been-dried wood pulp fiber slurry with a drying aid and thermally drying the wood pulp fiber slurry. The method may alternatively, or additionally, include the steps of spray drying a wood pulp fiber slurry and/or a slurry of a hydrophilic material, and flash drying the spray dried wood pulp fiber slurry and/or slurry of hydrophilic material.

Abstract: A cellulose fiber having extended biostability and the method of its manufacture are described. While prior treatments of cellulose with biotoxic metal compounds have given improved resistance to decay, these treatments have not been entirely satisfactory where the fiber had to be refined before use. Refining energy was very high and fiber length loss was substantial. Treatment of cellulose fiber with didecyldimethylammonium chloride (DDAC) or bromide (DDAB), these materials in combination with low levels of copper, or low levels of copper alone, has given a product with very good biostability without a major increase in refining energy or loss of fiber length. The treated fiber is particularly advantageous as a reinforcing component for cement board products.

Abstract: A method of treating wood-fiber pump, particularly wood-fiber pulp that contains recycled paper, comprises delivering the pulp to and advancing the pulp in a heating zone while delivering steam to the heating zone. The pulp is finely-divided in a disperser and the finely-divided pulp delivered to a screw press without separate departure of steam, so as to compact the pulp in the end of the screw press and therewith form a plug seal. At the same time, one or more bleaching chemicals is or are supplied during one or more treatment stages, and the temperature of the pulp is regulated to obtain an optimal bleaching process or optimal bleaching processes. The temperature of the pulp can be raised or lowered by supplying steam or water thereto respectively. The invention also relates to a plant for carrying out the method.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes and systems for the production of useful organic product from diverse lignocellulose-containing biomass having increased yield and efficiency over existing processes. In particular, the present invention integrates dilute acid hydrolysis and alkaline delignification techniques in processes that enhance the efficiency and yiel of lignocellulostic biomass processing and enable the economic production lignin-based biodegradable plastics and other useful organic products.