Abstract: The present invention relates a process to produce microfibrillated cellulose and a microfibrillated cellulose produced according to such process. The fibrillated microfibrillated cellulose is obtained subjecting a cellulose fiber in a slurry of cellulose pulp to multiple mechanical impacts. The cycle may be repeated several times. Non-cutting bars disposed in a ring formation is the preferred method. Two rings concentrically arranged facing each other in high rotation transmit the kinetic energy to the fibers to provide the highly defibrillated microfibrillated cellulose.

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: A method of producing conifer-derived pulp fibers for paper includes a beating step of beating conifer-derived material pulp fibers in the presence of a liquid including water; and an ozone treatment step of treating, with ozone water, the beaten conifer-derived material pulp fibers.

Abstract: A power transmission belt includes a belt body made of rubber and a cord embedded in the belt body. The belt body has a portion having the cord embedded therein, and the portion is made of a rubber composition having a storage normal modulus at 25° C. in a grain direction of 80 MPa or more and the ratio of the storage normal modulus at 25° C. in the grain direction to a storage normal modulus at 25° C. in a cross-grain direction of 1.20 or more to 2.50 or less. The rubber composition is arranged such that the grain direction corresponds to a belt length direction and the cross-grain direction corresponds to a belt width direction.

Abstract: The present invention refers to the separation of cellulose pulp into distinct fractions with different draining and morphological characteristics, as well as the use of part of these fractions for the production of nanocellulose. The process in reference combines the unitary operations of fiber separation, thickening to a certain consistency, draining and drying of the cellulosic pulp with the high drainage ability and production of nanocellulose from high primary fines content pulp. The process may consider any cellulosic pulp fiber derived from short or long fiber woods such as Eucalyptus, Corymbia, Birch, Aspen, Pinus, recycled fibers, etc., their residues such as bark, sawdust, etc.

Abstract: A refining disc (6) in a defibrator (1) for refining fibrous material is provided with non-central openings (11) for allowing steam developed in the refining space (2) during refining to flow from the front side to the backside of the refining disc (6), where the front side is facing a second refining disc (5) and the backside is facing away from the second refining disc (5). The refining disc (6) also comprises a central hole (12) for allowing steam (8b) to flow from the backside to the front side at the rotational center of the refining disc (6), and escape from the defibrator (1) backwards through the feed screw (3a) without passing through the fibrous material (7) being refined in the refining space (2).

Abstract: An insert system including a flavor releasing mechanism held within a compressible polymer holder disposed between two filter elements is provided. The insert system may be used as a mouthpiece with any type of suitable smokable, including, but not limited to, a blunt, a cigar, a cigarette, a cone, a pre-roll, an empty cone, any other type of smokable, and any combinations thereof. The insert system may be squeezed to activate the flavor releasing mechanism to release flavor into the smoke passing through the insert system to enhance the smoking experience. In one example, the insert system is coupled with one or more Cordia leaves to form a blunt smokable.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a device and a process for the production of nanofibers, in particular, nanocellulose from a fiber-containing mixture of substances, whereby the device is formed including at least one discharge element with a discharge opening for the passage of a fiber-containing mixture of substances, at least one feeding device for the supply of the fiber-containing mixture of substances to the discharge element with a predeterminable process pressure, at least one positioning device for the positioning of the discharge element and whereby, for the disintegrating of the fiber-containing mixture of substances, a moveable processing body is arranged opposite relative to at least one discharge element whereby on the passage of the fiber-containing mixture of substances through the discharge element a slit-like processing area is formed between the discharge element and the substance mixture-affected partial surface of the moveable processing body.

Abstract: Provided is a foamed product having excellent cold insulting effect as a heat insulating material or the like for cold insulation of a cold insulation container. The foamed product 1 includes a paper pellet of 50.0 to 70.0% by mass, a polypropylene resin group of 22.0 to 34.0% by mass, a low density polyethylene resin of 3.0 to 20.0% by mass, and a compatibilizing agent of 0.6 to 2.0% by mass of the polypropylene resin and the polyethylene resin. The paper pellet is formed by mixing fine paper powder of 30.0 to 50.0% by mass having a particle diameter of 30 to 200 ?m and hydrophilic macromolecule of 50.0 to 70.0% by mass. The polypropylene resin group is composed of foamable polypropylene resin of 5.0 to 11.0% by mass and other polypropylene resin of 17 to 23% by mass.

Abstract: A pump (10) comprising a pump casing (20) having front and rear sides (23, 24) with a pumping chamber (38), a chamber inlet (26) and a discharge outlet (27). An impeller (40) within the chamber rotates about an axis. The chamber includes an inner region at or near the axis and an outer region remote from the axis within which is the discharge outlet. The impeller includes a shroud (42) having front and rear faces (43, 44) with a plurality of pumping vanes (46). A collection chamber (60) is provided at the rear side of the pump casing in fluid communication with the pumping chamber. The impeller includes one or more passageways (52) through the shroud, one end opening into the collection chamber and the other opening into the pumping chamber through the impeller front face. A flow inducer (70, 72) is within the collection chamber, which includes a venting outlet (62) and a transfer outlet zone in fluid communication with the outer region of the pumping chamber.

Abstract: This invention discloses a wet process of fabrication of fiber wall panel, which includes the following steps: 1) slurry making: mix nontimber type natural plant fiber slurry with grass family slurry according to 1:0˜1.5 dry weight ratio, and add water to dilute this slurry; 2) slurry storage: pour the mixed slurry into slurry storage tank and add water for dilution; 3) suction straining and forming: pour slurry into mold cavity for cold pressing, dewatering, and forming, to yield wet blanks; 4) hot pressing, forming, and drying: move the Wet blanks to the hot pressing mold for hot pressing and remove moisture generated during hot pressing, to yield fiber wall panel. Fiber Wall panel made by this process features environment friendliness and high strength.

Abstract: Described herein is nanocellulose produced by introducing a mixture of cellulose based fiber raw material and water through a refining gap, having a width smaller than 0.1 mm. In the refining gap, the fiber raw material is subjected to processing forces varying in the direction of introducing said mixture, by means of refining zones provided in the gap one after each other in the feeding direction, whereby the refining surfaces differ in surface patterning and/or surface roughness. The mixture of fiber raw material and water is guided past the refining surfaces in the feeding direction to different locations in the refining zone by by-pass channels provided in the stator. The width of the refining gap is maintained by the combined effect of the feeding pressure of the mixture of fiber raw material and water fed into the refining gap and the axial force of the rotor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the manufacture of structural hybrid thermoplastic composites where organic and inorganic fibers are well dispersed in a thermoplastic matrix. The process comprises defibrillating the organic fibers with or without the presence of surface active agents using a mixer at a high shear and at a temperature lower than the decomposition temperature of organic fibers and melting point of the surface active agents to separate the hydrogen bonded fibers and generate microfibers, followed by blending and dispersion of the organic fibers in the thermoplastic matrix to produce a fiber composite, followed by further blending and dispersion of the fiber composite with inorganic fibers at a low shear to get the moldable hybrid composite, followed by extrusion, injection or compression-injection molding. Low shear mixing maintains the inorganic fiber length.

Abstract: A process for producing a water-absorbent high-porosity fibrous matrix from lignocellulosic raw materials, comprising wet mechanical processing of the raw material, drying, and then dry mechanical processing the fibers to provide a fibrous matrix is provided. The high-porosity fibrous matrix and absorbent articles prepared therefrom are also provided.

Abstract: A fine fibrous cellulosic material containing cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin, in which the fine fibrous cellulosic material has a width of 1 ?m or less and a length of 5,000 ?m or less and is used for glycation reaction by hydrolysis.

Abstract: An apparatus for in-feeding and dewatering biomass that controls the water content of the biomass prior to introduction of the biomass into a process reactor, the in-feeding and dewatering processes being carried out at a pressure higher than or equal to the pressure inside the process reactor thereby providing the advantage of a fluid tight sealing of the process reactor and facilitating its continuous feeding.

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: A thermomechanical pulping method including: refining pulp with a high consistency refining stage, and a medium consistency refining stage processing the refined pulp discharge from the high consistency refining stage. Chemical pretreatments for improving pulp quality development during medium consistency refining can be optionally added at the pressurized chip press, fiberizer pre-refining step, primary high consistency refining step, and/or the standpipe feeding the medium consistency refiner.

Abstract: Described herein is nanocellulose produced by introducing a mixture of cellulose based fiber raw material and water through a refining gap, having a width smaller than 0.1 mm. In the refining gap, the fiber raw material is subjected to processing forces varying in the direction of introducing said mixture, by means of refining zones provided in the gap one after each other in the feeding direction, whereby the refining surfaces differ in surface patterning and/or surface roughness. The mixture of fiber raw material and water is guided past the refining surfaces in the feeding direction to different locations in the refining zone by by-pass channels provided in the stator. The width of the refining gap is maintained by the combined effect of the feeding pressure of the mixture of fiber raw material and water fed into the refining gap and the axial force of the rotor.

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 of treating chemical pulp for the manufacture of microfibrillated cellulose includes the following steps: a) providing a hemicellulose containing pulp, b) refining the pulp in at least one step and treating the pulp with one or more wood degrading enzymes at a relatively low enzyme dosage, and c) homogenizing the pulp thus providing the microfibrillated cellulose. A microfibrillated cellulose obtainable by the method is also provided. The microfibrillated cellulose can be used in food products, paper products, composite materials, coatings or in rheology modifiers (e.g. drilling muds).

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a paper making part for a loudspeaker has freedom of adjusting a characteristic and a sound quality, and has a higher productivity. Accordingly, a fibrillating step of a paper making material is achieved by an explosive crushing step. Alternatively, the step is achieved by a mixing step of a paper making material and a liquid, a material micro-fabricating step of applying a pressure to a mixed solution obtained by the mixing step so as to pass through an orifice and thereafter run into a device wall, and a paper making step including the micro-fabricated material.

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: A fiber mass suspension is produced by mixing together a fiber material (FM) and water (W) in a pulper (1). The formed fiber mass suspension is divided into an accept fraction and a reject fraction. The reject fraction is supplied continuously to a first secondary pulper (2) for further screening and defibring. The accept fraction formed in the first secondary pulper (2) is supplied continuously for further processing and the reject fraction formed in the first secondary pulper (2) is supplied continuously to a second secondary pulper (3) for further processing. The accept fraction formed in the second secondary pulper (3) is supplied continuously for further processing.

Abstract: A system for collecting ligno-cellulosic biomass over a large area to enable the commercial refining of biomass from 2,500 to in excess of 50,000 tons of biomass per day to produce ethanol or other products. The biomass is collected at a series of collection points and then transported through a network of conduit “loops” interconnecting each of the collection points and the central refining plant. The water used to transport the biomass, as a slurry, is recovered and sequentially recycled in the same pipeline system to push the biomass slurry around the system in a “loop.” The outgoing and return legs of each loop optionally are located adjacent each other.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a paper making part for a loudspeaker has freedom of adjusting a characteristic and a sound quality, and has a higher productivity. Accordingly, a fibrillating step of a paper making material is achieved by an explosive crushing step. Alternatively, the step is achieved by a mixing step of a paper making material and a liquid, a material micro-fabricating step of applying a pressure to a mixed solution obtained by the mixing step so as to pass through an orifice and thereafter run into a device wall, and a paper making step including the micro-fabricated material.

Abstract: The process of making crosslinked cellulose pulp fiber comprising plasma treating a sheet of cellulose pulp fiber before the sheet is impregnated with a crosslinking formulation which comprises a crosslinking agent and a catalyst, then defiberizing the treated cellulose pulp sheet to form treated defiberized cellulose pulp, then heating and curing the treated defiberized cellulose pulp to form intrafiber crosslinked cellulose pulp fibers.

Abstract: Cellulose nanofilaments from cellulose fibers, a method and a device to produce them are disclosed. The nanofilaments are fine filaments with widths in the sub-micron range and lengths up to a couple of millimeters. These nanofilaments are made from natural fibers from wood and other plants. The surface of the nanofilaments can be modified to carry anionic, cationic, polar, hydrophobic or other functional groups. Addition of these nanofilaments to papermaking furnishes substantially improves the wet-web strength and dry sheet strength much better than existing natural and synthetic polymers. The cellulose nanofilaments produced by the present invention are excellent additives for reinforcement of paper and paperboard products and composite materials, and can be used to produce superabsorbent materials.

Abstract: A system for collecting ligno-cellulosic biomass over a large area to enable the commercial refining of biomass from 2,500 to in excess of 50,000 tons of biomass per day to produce ethanol or other products. The biomass is collected at a series of collection points and then transported through a network of conduit “loops” interconnecting each of the collection points and the central refining plant. The water used to transport the biomass, as a slurry, is recovered and sequentially recycled in the same pipeline system to push the biomass slurry around the system in a “loop”.

Abstract: Coarsely shredded paper powder is pulverized using a first vertical roller mill equipped with a plurality of first pulverizing rollers 15 to obtain a fine paper powder having an average particle diameter of 50 ?m or greater and less than 150 ?m. Then, such a fine paper powder is further pulverized using a second vertical roller mill equipped with a plurality of second pulverizing rollers 25 to obtain a fine paper powder having an average particle diameter of 25 ?m or greater and less than 50 ?m. Concerning the inclination angle ?1 of grooves 15a, 25a with respect to axes L of rotation of said first and second pulverizing rollers, an angle of inclination ?1 of the first pulverizing rollers 15 is smaller than an angle of inclination ?2 of the second pulverizing rollers 25. Accordingly, the fine paper powder can be produced without incurring a substantial environmental impact.

Abstract: A process for the production of an intermediate product from a lignocellulosic raw material that is intended for the production of ethanol, which process includes pulping the raw material in an extruder at a temperature of between 60° C. and 180° C., in the presence of a quantity of water that represents between 200% and 450% of the mass of the raw material and preferably in the presence of a strong acid or a strong base that is weakly concentrated. An intermediate product can be obtained by this process for producing ethanol.

Abstract: Coarsely shredded paper powder is pulverized using a first vertical roller mill equipped with a plurality of first pulverizing rollers 15 to obtain a fine paper powder having an average particle diameter of 50 ?m or greater and less than 150 ?m. Then, such a fine paper powder is further pulverized using a second vertical roller mill equipped with a plurality of second pulverizing rollers 25 to obtain a fine paper powder having an average particle diameter of 25 ?m or greater and less than 50 ?m. Concerning the inclination angle ?1 of grooves 15a, 25a with respect to axes L of rotation of said first and second pulverizing rollers, an angle of inclination ?1 of the first pulverizing rollers 15 is smaller than an angle of inclination ?2 of the second pulverizing rollers 25. Accordingly, the fine paper powder can be produced without incurring a substantial environmental impact.

Abstract: A method of preparing lignocellulosic fibre aggregates from a densified mass of lignocellulosic fibre, such as densified bales, for use in manufacturing high performance, recyclable and moldable lignocellulosic fibre and thermoplastic composites, or articles made of the high performance, recyclable and moldable lignocellulosic fibre and thermoplastic composites is provided. The method includes: (a) feeding densified forms of lignocellulosic fibre into a size reduction device; and size reducing the lignocellulosic fibres so as to produce dense lignocellulosic fibre aggregates having an average size profile suitable for use in manufacturing high performance, recyclable and moldable lignocellulosic fibre and thermoplastic composites, or articles made of the high performance, recyclable and moldable lignocellulosic fibre and thermoplastic composites. The density of the lignocellulosic fibre is generally maintained throughout the method.

Abstract: A refiner steam separation system according to the present invention includes a blowline for transporting a mixture of fiber material from a refiner to an inlet of a steam separator. Waste steam is discharged from the separator through a waste steam outlet. Cleaned fiber material is discharged from the separator through an exit, which prevents a substantial portion of the waste steam from passing through the exit. A relay pipe communicates with the exit and a dryer duct, and transports cleaned fiber material therebetween. A resin input communicates with the relay pipe, and supplies resin therein. The resin is mixed with the cleaned fiber material prior to the cleaned fiber material being dried in the dryer duct. The present invention is also directed to a method of reducing VOC emissions generated during refining cellulosic fibrous material.

Abstract: In this patent, fibers have been successfully extracted from various natural occurring materials using a series of chemical, biological and mechanical methods. Moreover, these fibers can be conjugated onto certain polymer chains via coupling agent and chemical modification. Consequently, the thermal stability and mechanical properties of the polymers can be dramatically elevated with the incorporation of these fibers. The intended polymers include conventional plastics (epoxy resins, polyesters and polyolefins etc.), rubbers (natural rubbers and thermoplastic rubbers etc.) and biodegradable polymers. Apart from the enhancement of mechanical properties and thermal stability, the incorporation of natural fibers can reduce the production cost of the materials and meet the demand of environmental protection.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing mechanical pulp. Raw material of the mechanical pulp is introduced. The raw material is refined in a first refining stage to form the mechanical pulp. The pH of the mechanical pulp is adjusted to between 9 and 11 in a process step in which a first process delay is arranged. The first process delay is at least 0.5 hours. The mechanical pulp is sorted into a first accepted stock and a first rejected stock. The first rejected stock is ozonated. The pH of the first rejected stock is at the start of the ozonation process is between 9 and 11. The ozonated first rejected stock is refined in a second refining stage so that at least a part of the ozonated first rejected stock will belong to a second accepted stock. The first accepted stock and the second accepted stock are combined. The mechanical pulp may be used.

Abstract: A system for thermomechanical refining of wood chips comprises preparing the chips for refining by exposing the chips to an environment of steam to soften the chips, compressively destructuring and dewatering the softened chips to a solids consistency above 55 percent, and diluting the destructured and dewatered chips to a consistency in the range of about 30 to 55 per cent. The destructuring partially defibrates the material. This diluted material is fed to a rotating disc primary refiner wherein each of the opposed discs has an inner ring pattern of bars and grooves and an outer ring pattern of bars and grooves. The destructured and partially defibrated chips are substantially completely defibrated in the inner ring and the resulting fibers are fibrillated in the outer ring.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of increasing the brightness of pulp, pulp made from such methods and methods of using such pulp.

Abstract: A fiber mass suspension is produced by mixing together a fiber material (FM) and water (W) in a pulper (1). The formed fiber mass suspension is divided into an accept fraction and a reject fraction. The reject fraction is supplied continuously to a first secondary pulper (2) for further screening and defibring. The accept fraction formed in the first secondary pulper (2) is supplied continuously for further processing and the reject fraction formed in the first secondary pulper (2) is supplied continuously to a second secondary pulper (3) for further processing. The accept fraction formed in the second secondary pulper (3) is supplied continuously for further processing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to wood pulp and polyareneazole pulp for use as reinforcement material in products including for example friction materials, fluid sealing materials, and papers. The pulp comprises (a) irregularly shaped, wood pulp fibrous structures, (b) irregularly shaped, polyareneazole fibrous structures, and (c) water, whereby wood pulp fibrils and/or stalks are substantially entangled with polyareneazole fibrils and/or stalks. The invention further relates to processes for making such wood pulp and polyareneazole pulp.

Abstract: The present invention relates to thermoset and polyareneazole pulp for use as reinforcement material in products including for example fluid seals and friction materials, as a processing aid including its use as a thioxotrope, and as a filter material. The pulp comprises (a) irregularly shaped, thermoset fiber fibrous structures, (b) irregularly shaped, polyareneazole fibrous structures and (c) water whereby thermoset fiber fibrils and/or stalks are substantially entangled with polyareneazole fibrils and/or stalks. The invention further relates to processes for making such thermoset and polyareneazole pulp.

Abstract: The present invention relates to thermoplastic and polyareneazole pulp for use as reinforcement material in products including for example fluid sealing materials, as a processing aid including its use as a thixotrope, and as a filter material. The pulp comprises (a) irregularly shaped, thermoplastic fiber fibrous structures, (b) irregularly shaped, polyareneazole fibrous structures and (c) water, whereby thermoplastic fiber fibrils and/or stalks are substantially entangled with polyareneazole fibrils and/or stalks. The invention further relates to processes for making such thermoplastic and polyareneazole pulp.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fibrous pulp comprising a combination of polypyridobisimidazole fibrous structures and fibrous structures derived from another polymer.

Abstract: A chip pretreatment process which comprises conveying the feed material through a compression screw device having an atmosphere of saturated steam at a pressure above about 5 psig, decompressing and discharging the compressed material from the screw device into a decompression region, feeding the decompressed material from the decompression region into a fiberizing device, such as a low intensity disc refiner, where at least about 30 percent of the fiber bundles and fibers are axially separated, without substantial fibrillation of the fibers. In a more specific form the invention is directed to a process for producing mechanical pulp, including the steps of fiberizing wood chip feed material in a low intensity disc refiner until at least about 30 percent of the fibers are axially separated with less than about 5 percent fibrillation, and subsequently refining the fiberized material in a high intensity disc refiner until at least about 90 percent of the fibers are fibrillated.

Abstract: A chip pretreatment process which comprises conveying the feed material through a compression screw device having an atmosphere of saturated steam at a pressure above about 5 psig, decompressing and discharging the compressed material from the screw device into a decompression region, feeding the decompressed material from the decompression region into a fiberizing device, such as a low intensity disc refiner, where at least about 30 percent of the fiber bundles and fibers are axially separated, without substantial fibrillation of the fibers. In a more specific form the invention is directed to a process for producing mechanical pulp, including the steps of fiberizing wood chip feed material in a low intensity disc refiner until at least about 30 percent of the fibers are axially separated with less than about 5 percent fibrillation, and subsequently refining the fiberized material in a high intensity disc refiner until at least about 90 percent of the fibers are fibrillated.

Abstract: [Problem] To provide a fine fibrous cellulosic material capable of producing a saccharide in a high yield by hydrolysis; to provide a process for producing the fine fibrous cellulosic material from a cellulosic material; and to provide a process for producing the saccharide using the fine fibrous cellulosic material. [Means for Solving Problems] The present invention is the fine fibrous cellulosic material containing cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin, which the fine fibrous cellulosic material has a width of 1 ?m or less and a length of 5,000 ?m or less and is used for glycation reaction by hydrolysis.

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: A system for thermomechanical refining of wood chips comprises preparing the chips for refining by exposing the chips to an environment of steam to soften the chips, compressively destructuring and dewatering the softened chips to a solids consistency above 55 percent, and diluting the destructured and dewatered chips to a consistency in the range of about 30 to 55 percent. The destructuring partially defibrates the material. This diluted material is fed to a rotating disc primary refiner wherein each of the opposed discs has an inner ring pattern of bars and grooves and an outer ring pattern of bars and grooves. The destructured and partially defibrated chips are substantially completely defibrated in the inner ring and the resulting fibers are fibrillated in the outer ring.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating steam from a mixture of steam and fibers is disclosed, comprising an elongated feeding compartment having an inlet and a feeding device for feeding a mixture through the inlet. The feeding device comprises a tubular section which is curved such that the mixture in the tubular section is separated under the influence of centrifugal forces in a heavy steam-less fraction of fibers in a outer layer and in a light fiber-free fraction of steam in a inner layer. The tubular section is arranged in such a way that a heavy fraction of fibers is fed through the inlet peripherally. The separated light fraction of steam is fed against the center of the compartment and removed through an outlet of the apparatus.

Abstract: A method for the removal of wood pulp and other adhering substances from waste plastics in the recycling of all types of waste plastics, of mixed plastics (MKS) in particular, in which foils and pieces from thicker plastic parts of if necessary pre-sorted waste plastics are mechanically pre-shredded into flakes or particles up to a preset size, wherein oversizes are sorted out, the shredded product is charged into a disc refiner together with water, wherein the proportion of flakes and other particles is at least 10% of the total volume, substances adhering on the flakes are rubbed down by the co-operating discs of the refiner to a large extent, and are then present as separate substances, and the substances rubbed down are separated from the plastic particles by a suitable separation method.