Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for individualizing trichome fibers from a trichome source, such as a leaf and/or a stem. One process comprises contacting the plant biomass with pectin hydrolyzing enzymes, thus releasing the individualized trichomes and recovering the individualized trichomes. A second process comprises contacting the plant biomass with an acidic aqueous solution, thus releasing the individualized trichomes and recovering the individualized trichomes. A third process comprises contacting the plant biomass with an acidic aqueous solution and with pectin hydrolyzing enzymes, thus releasing the individualized trichomes and recovering the individualized trichomes.

Abstract: In general, the present invention is directed to a method of cooking wood in a cooking liquor medium. The method comprises a step of providing wood to a treatment vessel and contacting the wood with a digester additive composition. The composition comprises a first surfactant comprising an anionic surfactant, a derivative thereof, a salt thereof, or any combination thereof and a second surfactant comprising a polyoxyalkylene glycol or a derivative thereof. Additionally, according to another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a digester additive composition comprising a first surfactant comprising an anionic surfactant, a derivative thereof, a salt thereof, or any combination thereof and a second surfactant comprising a polyoxyalkylene glycol or a derivative thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of transforming a pulp fibrous into a pre-dispersed semi-dry or dry fibrous material and to the material produced. The method opens, de-entangles and fibrillates the fibrous material of the input pulp. The method mixes the input fibrous with chemicals while evaporating moisture in an updated mechanical disc refiner process. The refiner operates to set three process variables: 1) applied refining specific energy; 2) refiner gap opening and 3) refiner output consistency. Depending on the feed pulp type and consistency, the refiner's output is a pre-dispersed semi-dry fibrous material of 30 to 99% solids with 70 to 100% of separated fibers that depending on chemical treatment are loosely entangled fibrous that disperse in water using common techniques. The pre-dispersed semi-dry output may be further processed inline or by batch process air agitation at velocities sufficient to further separate fibers and loosen fibrous entanglements.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an intermediate product that can be stored and transported and efficiently converted into microfibrillated cellulose with limited energy input at the time of conversion. More specifically, the invention involves the use of dewatered carboxymethylcellulose or carboxylated cellulose fiber having a low degree of substitution and a high amount of additives.

Abstract: Described is a method of kraft pulping in which a phenolic compound is added to the cooking step. The phenolic compound is added at a time point between about 5 minutes and about 120 minutes prior to completion of the cooking step. The presence of the phenolic compound increases the extent of delignification in the cooking step.

Abstract: Provided are compositions and processes concerning efficient downstream processing of products derived from organic acids pretreatment of plant materials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved process for producing chemical cellulose pulp wherein biopolymers are added immediately before, during or after a bleaching step, depending on pulp characteristics and on process conditions used. The biopolymers according to the present invention are starches chemically modified by an etherification reaction. This treatment results in a differentiated pulp having improved physical, chemical and mechanical properties when compared with cellulose pulps obtained by traditional processes. The use of said biopolymer alters the relations between important pulp properties rendering their application in papermaking process advantageous. This differentiation increases the possibilities of use and also of new applications, including for the substitution of pulps produced from other cellulose sources.

Abstract: Processes disclosed are capable of converting biomass into high-crystallinity nanocellulose with surprisingly low mechanical energy input. In some variations, the process includes fractionating biomass with an acid (such as sulfur dioxide), a solvent (such as ethanol), and water, to generate cellulose-rich solids and a liquid containing hemicellulose and lignin; and mechanically treating the cellulose-rich solids to form nanofibrils and/or nanocrystals. The crystallinity of the nanocellulose material may be 80% or higher, translating into good reinforcing properties for composites. The nanocellulose material may include nanofibrillated cellulose, nanocrystalline cellulose, or both. In some embodiments, the nanocellulose material is hydrophobic via deposition of some lignin onto the cellulose surface. Optionally, sugars derived from amorphous cellulose and hemicellulose may be separately fermented, such as to monomers for various polymers.

Abstract: Methods to reduce sticky and fluff induced rewinder breaks by reducing the adhesive character of adhesive materials, fluff and sticky contaminants in fibers are described. One method involves contacting the fibers with a composition containing at least one of each of a cellulase, a hemicellulase, a ?-glucosidase, a lipase, an esterase, a pectinase, a pectate lyase and a laccase for a sufficient time and in a sufficient amount to control the removal or controlling adhesive materials, fluff and sticky contaminants present in the fibers. Preferably, the fibers are recycled fibers originating from a variety of sources such as old corrugated containers, old newsprint, mixed office waste, and the like. Resulting paper products formed from the processed fibers are also described as well as methods to make them.

Abstract: In one aspect, methods of treating lignocellulosic materials are described herein. In some embodiments, a method of treating a lignocellulosic material comprises degrading lignin of the lignocellulosic material with at least one fungus and hydrolyzing cellulose of the lignocellulosic material with at least one microorganism.

Abstract: A method of depolymerizing a lignin includes oxidizing the lignin to provide an oxidized lignin wherein benzylic —OH of ?-O-4 linkages have been converted to carbonyl. The oxidized lignin is depolymerized with a metal selected from the group consisting of zinc, magnesium, aluminum and titanium or mixtures thereof, in the presence of an ammonium salt or carbon dioxide. Also described are methods for manufacturing phenolic products from lignin and a method for the cleavage of a ?-O-4 linkage in a substrate.

Abstract: An object of present invention is to provide a method for easily extracting and efficiently recovering xylan from wood. A xylan-containing material is produced by a method comprising steps of: (a) adding an acid and/or carbon dioxide to a black liquor discharged during a soda cooking step of wood chips including hardwood chips to adjust the pH of the black liquor to be in the range of 1 to 9, thereby giving a suspension; (b) dehydrating and washing an insoluble matter generated in the suspension to separately collect the insoluble matter; and (c) adding an organic solvent to the insoluble matter obtained at the step (b) to give a suspension, and separately collecting a xylan-containing material made of the insoluble matter present in the suspension by solid/liquid separation.

Abstract: Processes disclosed are capable of converting biomass into high-crystallinity nanocellulose with surprisingly low mechanical energy input. In some variations, the process includes fractionating biomass with an acid (such as sulfur dioxide), a solvent (such as ethanol), and water, to generate cellulose-rich solids and a liquid containing hemicellulose and lignin; and mechanically treating the cellulose-rich solids to form nanofibrils and/or nanocrystals. The crystallinity of the nanocellulose material may be 80% or higher, translating into good reinforcing properties for composites. The nanocellulose material may include nanofibrillated cellulose, nanocrystalline cellulose, or both. In some embodiments, the nanocellulose material is hydrophobic via deposition of some lignin onto the cellulose surface. Optionally, sugars derived from amorphous cellulose and hemicellulose may be separately fermented, such as to monomers for various polymers.

Abstract: Cement compositions and processes for reducing air entrainment in a cement composition generally include mixing a hydraulic cement with a defoamer compositions including one or more organic acid ester polymers selected from an organic acid ester of polyethylene oxide polymer, an organic acid ester of polypropylene oxide polymer, and a mixture thereof. The compositions may further comprise an organic acid ester of an ethylene oxide-propylene oxide block copolymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a delignification method which is applied for removing lignin from a biomaterial mixture in form of a pile, and essentially comprises the steps of piling of the biomaterials, treating the pile with an irrigation solution comprised of water or an aqueous solution comprising chemical materials, transferring the irrigation solution leached during reaching to the bottom of the pile to a pool or a storage unit with a drainage system, giving the irrigation solution which is transferred to the pool or the storage unit to irrigation again after controlling and optimizing, and leaching the pile by stopping the irrigation when the delignification process ends.

Abstract: There is described a method of fractionating a biomass material comprising: (i) blending the biomass material with an acid catalyst to form a slurry; (ii) mixing the slurry with an organosolv reagent optionally under an inert atmosphere to form a pre-treatment mix; (iii) subjecting the pre-treatment mix to sonication; (iv) optionally heating the product of step (iii) in an autoclave under pressure; (v) separating the solid and liquid components of the fractionation mix; (vi) optionally washing the solid; (vii) optionally drying the solid component; (viii) separating the liquid component into organic and aqueous components; and (ix) isolating lignin from the organic component and/or isolating hemi-cellulose from the aqueous component.

Abstract: An omnibus process of pulping and bleaching lignocellulosic materials in which a charge of a lignocellulosic material is biopulped and/or water extracted prior to pulping and bleaching. The lignocellulosic material may be mechanically pulped and bleached in the presence of an enzyme that breaks lignin-carbohydrate complexes.

Abstract: Methods for producing extracted and digested products from pretreated lignocellulosic biomass are provided. The methods include converting native cellulose I? to cellulose IIII by pretreating the lignocellulosic biomass with liquid ammonia under certain conditions, and performing extracting or digesting steps on the pretreated/converted lignocellulosic biomass.

Abstract: A method of producing a paper board comprising: a pulping step of disintegrating and beating fibers from a pulp raw material containing waste paper as a main raw material to obtain pulping process water; a stock preparation step of adding an additive containing a paper strength additive to the obtained pulping process water to obtain a prepared pulp raw material; and a paper-making step of making the obtained prepared pulp raw material into a paper board, wherein the paper board is produced by adding (a) an aqueous solution of hypochlorite and (b) an aqueous solution of water-soluble inorganic ammonium salt or ammonia water to the pulping process water to reduce the amount of the paper strength additive added in the stock preparation step.

Abstract: The present invention relates to protein engineering, and concerns especially family G/11 xylanases, and genes encoding said enzymes. In specific, the invention concerns Trichoderma reesei XYNII gene, which codes for endo-1,4-?-xylanase (EC 3.2.1.8). The invention describes how site-directed mutagenesis can be used to improve the properties of an enzyme to match the industrial conditions where it is used. Protein engineering can be used to improve thermoactivity and thermostability of xylanases, as well as to broaden their pH range.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for efficiently producing both a low-pressure ozone stream and high-pressure oxygen stream using a single air separation unit. The low-pressure ozone stream and high-pressure oxygen stream can be produced with significant energy savings and can be used in variety of applications, including the extraction of precious metals from ore with aqueous oxidation reactors and high-pressure oxidation reactors.

Abstract: The invention describes solutions containing cellulose and a method of dissolving lignocellulosic materials. In the method, the lignocellulosic material is contacted with a conjugate acid, formed by a strong organic base and a weaker acid, under conditions which are conducive to at least a partial dissolution of the cellulosic components of the lignocellulosic material. It has been found that it is possible to recover at least a portion of the dissolved part of the lignocellulosic material by at least partial dissociation of the conjugate acid. Furthermore it is possible to recover at least a portion of the dissociated organic base and the acid, to form a conjugate acid of the recovered base and acid, and to recycle it for use in the first steps of the method.

Abstract: The invention is directed to separation of amylase from body fluid by contacting said body fluid with starch under conditions enabling binding between the amylase and the starch, separating between the starch-amylase bound complexes and the free components, thereby removing the bound amylase, and collecting the non-bound components.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising: a polypeptide having cellulolytic enhancing activity and a quinone compound. The present invention also relates to methods of using the compositions.

Abstract: A method of producing cellulose from lignocellulosic material by sulfite digestion or sulfate digestion in the presence of a salt of dithionous acid comprises using the salt of dithionous acid in an amount from 0.1 to 4.0 wt. % based on the amount of oven-dry lignocellulosic material.

Abstract: A biomass hydrothermal decomposition apparatus that feeds a solid biomass material 11 from one side of an apparatus body 42, feeds hot water 15 from the other side, to hydrothermally decompose the biomass material 11 while bringing the biomass material 11 into counter contact with the hot water 15, dissolves hot-water soluble fractions in hot water, discharges the hot water to outside from the one side of the apparatus body 42 as a hot-water effluent 16, and discharges a biomass solid (a hot water insoluble) 17 to outside from the other side. The biomass hydrothermal decomposition apparatus includes an effective reaction region A formed from the other side to the one side of the apparatus body 42, in which a feeding temperature of the hot water 15 (for example, 200° C.) is maintained for a predetermined period of time to cause hydrothermal decomposition, and a temperature drop region B in which a temperature is rapidly dropped to a temperature (for example, 140° C.

Abstract: The invention is directed towards methods and compositions for processes based on the combination of organic peroxyacids and ammonium salts that preserve and enhance the response to optical brighteners (fluorescent whitening dyes), brightness and improve color of pulp or paper when applied during different stages of the papermaking process are identified. The composition and method improve response to optical brighteners (fluorescent whitening dyes), maintain and/or enhance brightness and enhance the performance of paper products. Used in combination with optical brighteners the described agents produce a synergistic effect not previously identified in the paper process.

Abstract: The invention relates to enzymes having xylanase, mannanase and/or glucanase activity, e.g., catalyzing hydrolysis of internal ?-1,4-xylosidic linkages or endo-?-1,4-glucanase linkages; and/or degrading a linear polysaccharide beta-1,4-xylan into xylose. Thus, the invention provides methods and processes for breaking down hemicellulose, which is a major component of the cell wall of plants, including methods and processes for hydrolyzing hemicelluloses in any plant or wood or wood product, wood waste, paper pulp, paper product or paper waste or byproduct. In addition, methods of designing new xylanases, mannanases and/or glucanases and methods of use thereof are also provided. The xylanases, mannanases and/or glucanases have increased activity and stability at increased pH and temperature.

Abstract: A pulping process comprises using a high concentration of anthraquinone (AQ). The pulping process is capable of providing a pulp having low Kappa number with unexpectedly high strength. The pulping process can use wood or non-wood fibers (e.g., bagasse and corn stover) to provide pulp having good papermaking quality. The method for pulping a fiber comprising cooking a first mixture comprising the fibers, water, an alkali, and a delignification selectivity enhancing chemical for a cooking time and at a cooking condition sufficient to form a first pulp having a desired Kappa number of about 15 or less, and strength parameters that are sufficient for papermaking, where the starting material prior to cooking has a Kappa number of 60 or greater.

Abstract: Provided herein are isolated laccase enzymes and nucleic acids encoding them. Also provided are mediators for laccase reactions. Also provided herein are methods for using laccases to oxidize lignins and other phenolic and aromatic compounds, such as for bio-bleaching and decolorization of wood pulp under high temperature and pH conditions to facilitate a substantial reduction in use of bleaching chemicals, as well as for treatment of fibers.

Abstract: A surfactant treated bleached softwood kraft pulp fiber, useful as a starting material In the production of cellulose derivatives including cellulose ether, cellulose esters and viscose, is disclosed. Methods for making the kraft pulp fiber and products made from it are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to wood pulp for glass plate-interleaving paper in which an amount of silicone contained in the wood pulp is 0.5 ppm or less with respect to an absolute dry mass of the pulp, as well as relates to interleaving paper for glass plates of which a raw material is the wood pulp, in which an amount of silicone contained in paper is 0.5 ppm or less with respect to the absolute dry matter of paper. The interleaving paper for glass plates formed from the wood pulp of the present invention, as well as interleaving paper for glass plates of the present invention are able to remarkably control contamination of silicone to the surface of glass plates for use as substrate material for flat panel displays for which a high degree of cleanliness and high quality are required.

Abstract: The cellulose nanofiber production method of the present invention comprises an oxidation treatment step for oxidizing native cellulose in a neutral or acidic reaction solution containing an N-oxyl compound and an oxidizing agent that oxidizes aldehyde groups, and a dispersion step for dispersing the native cellulose in a medium following the oxidation treatment step. According to the production method of the present invention, a cellulose nanofiber is provided that has long fibers and demonstrates high strength.

Abstract: Methods to control organic contaminants in fibers are described. One method involves contacting the fibers with a) at least one zeolite and optionally b) detackifier, or an ester hydrolyzing enzyme, or both, for a sufficient time and in a sufficient amount to control the organic contaminants present in the fibers. This method is effective to reduce stickies in paper mill furnish formed with recycled fibers. A method for pitch control in paper mill furnish formed with virgin fibers is also provided. Resulting paper products formed from the processed fibers are also described as well as methods to make them.

Abstract: An omnibus process of pulping and bleaching lignocellulosic materials in which a charge of a lignocellulosic material is biopulped and/or water extracted prior to pulping and bleaching. The lignocellulosic material may be mechanically pulped and bleached in the presence of an enzyme that breaks lignin-carbohydrate complexes. The aqueous extract in embodiments including a water extract step is separated into acetic acid and hemicellulose sugar aqueous solutions.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for producing market pulp which include treatment of pulp with diverse ionic compounds before pulp drying. Cationically and anionically charged compounds can be used to treat pulp before pulp drying to improve pulp dewatering performance and efficiency in the production of market pulp. Market pulp products containing the treatment compounds are also described.

Abstract: A method and a system for optimization of parameters for a recovery boiler in a pulp mill are disclosed. An exemplary method is based on use of a first principle mathematical model to estimate parameters that are otherwise not measurable, to accurately control the performance of the recovery boiler. In addition, a method is disclosed to use estimated parameters of a recovery boiler to control and stabilize the processes downstream of the recovery boiler. A system is also disclosed to carry out a method for control and optimization of performance and operational parameters of a recovery boiler.

Abstract: A method for producing micro fibrillated cellulosic material from pulp where multiple passes through a medium consistency refiner are made either singularly or in combination with low consistency refiners and high consistency refiners.

Abstract: This invention relates to wood preservatives containing copper complexes and calcium ions, zinc ions or calcium and zinc ions for protection of wood, cellulose, hemicellulose, lignocellulose, cellulosic materials and articles derived from cellulosic materials from decay caused by fungi. The calcium ions, zinc ions, or calcium and zinc ions improve the penetration of copper preservative agent into the interior of a treated material or article.

Abstract: A process for making pulp includes providing plant fiber raw material. The plant fiber raw material can be wood fiber or gramineae plant fiber. The plat fiber raw material is cooked to make a pulp. A TEMPO catalytic oxidation system is added to the pulp to oxidize the pulp fiber. The oxidized pulp fiber is then bleached.

Abstract: Provided is a method which is capable of producing a cellulose nanofiber dispersion liquid that has a low viscosity and excellent fluidity even at a high concentration, while exhibiting excellent transparency. In a method for producing cellulose nanofibers, wherein a cellulosic starting material is oxidized in water using an oxidant in the presence of an N-oxyl compound and a compound that is selected from the group consisting of a bromide, an iodide and a mixture thereof and the thus obtained oxidized cellulose is defibrated and dispersed, pulp which is obtained by carrying out kraft cooking after a hydrolysis process is used as the cellulosic starting material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel polypeptides, or fragments of polypeptides, genes encoding them and means for producing said polypeptides. In detail the invention relates to polypeptides having esterase, suberinase and/or cutinase activity at low pH. This invention relates also to compositions containing the polypeptides and methods of using the polypeptides.

Abstract: A method for producing mechanical paper pulp comprises: impregnating unprocessed wood, whereby unprocessed wood is exposed to an impregnating composition comprising at least a laccase enzyme and a formula mediator (I), wherein R1 and R2 are identical or different groups, chosen from among a hydrogen atom, a hydrocarbon chain, linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, comprising 1 to 14 carbon atoms, wherein each hydrocarbon chain can be replaced by one or more functional groups chosen from among —OH, —SO3, benzyl, amino, mercapto, keto or carboxyl, wherein R1 and R2 in combination can form a cyclical structure, to achieve impregnation of the wood; and mechanically refining the impregnated wood, such that a mechanical paper pulp is obtained. The disclosure also relates to an impregnating composition used in this method and to the use thereof in a method for producing mechanical paper pulp, as well as to a method for producing paper.

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 using a multicomponent enzyme preparation to treat chips that have been crushed using a device that combines shear and compressive forces where treatment occurs mainly during decompression and reduces the specific energy consumption and/or increasing production of subsequent refining while maintaining or increasing handsheet physical properties. The enzyme preparation is to have a major endoglucanase activity, a significant mannanase activity and a slight cellobiohydrolase activity. This enzyme mixture is prepared from a genetically modified strain of Trichoderma reseii.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing modified nanofibrillated cellulose characterized by bringing cellulosic material into a fiber suspension, adsorbing a cellulose derivative or polysaccharide or polysaccharide derivative onto fibers in said fiber suspension under special conditions and subjecting the obtained fiber suspension derivative to mechanical disintegration. A modified nanofibrillated cellulose obtainable by a method of the present invention is provided. Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of said modified nanofibrillated cellulose.

Abstract: Methods to preserve starch present in pulp are provided and also methods to control calcium precipitation and/or scaling in digesters or BOD systems. The methods can be performed as part of a papermaking process. Process water containing pulp can be treated with a chloramine. Process water containing pulp with native starch can receive a double treatment with at least one biocide, such as chloramine, and at least one oxidant, such as sodium hypochlorite. The treatment can be performed in any suitable manner. The treatment can be performed at one or more stages or locations in a papermaking system. A target residual chloramine value or range can be achieved by the treatment. Packaging sheets/boards and other paper products manufactured using the methods provided exhibit superior strength and other desirable characteristics.

Abstract: A pulping process comprises using a high concentration of anthraquinone (AQ). The pulping process is capable of providing a pulp having low Kappa number with unexpectedly high strength. The pulping process can use wood or non-wood fibers (e.g., bagasse and corn stover) to provide pulp having good papermaking quality. The method for pulping a fiber comprising cooking a first mixture comprising the fibers, water, an alkali, and a delignification selectivity enhancing chemical for a cooking time and at a cooking condition sufficient to form a first pulp having a desired Kappa number of about 15 or less, and strength parameters that are sufficient for papermaking, where the starting material prior to cooking has a Kappa number of 60 or greater.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting the formation, deposition and adherence of calcium salt scale to metallic and other surfaces in the equipment, vessels and/or piping of a chemical pulp process facility comprising adding an effective scale inhibiting amount of a composition to the alkaline aqueous mixture in the digester of said chemical pulping process. Said composition consists of at least one phosphonate component (I) and at least one component (II) consisting of at least one carboxylated fructan compound.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods that involve ionic liquids and biomass. Multiphasic compositions involving ionic liquids and a polymer and uses of such compositions for fractioning various components of biomass are disclosed. Methods of making and using compositions comprising an ionic liquid, biomass, and a catalyst are also disclosed.