Abstract: A process for converting components of poultry production feather waste into value-added products involves a single counterflow or batch system wash in a polar organic solvent solution. The feather waste can contain loose, picked feathers, and non-feather avian parts. The feather-waste stream is exposed to a concentration gradient of solvent which sanitizes, denatures, dehydrates, and de-oils it. In one aspect, the counterflow contact between solvent solution and feather waste takes place in an inclined screw conveyor. The process produces avian oil and protein from a liquid intermediate stream and dry fiber and protein powder from the converted waste stream. Fiber from this process can be used in fabrics, composites, extrusions and laminates. Oil and protein can be used in biochemical, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, animal feed, and fertilizer products.

Abstract: Kraft pulp is bleached to an acceptable brightness (e.g. 86 ISO or more) without using chlorinated organic compounds, yet the strength of the produced pulp remains commercially acceptable. In the manufacture of pulp, the pulp which is cooked and oxygen delignified to a kappa number of 14 or less, and then is bleached with ozone at a medium consistency. After the ozone treatment, heavy metals are removed from the pulp, and then the pulp is led to oxygen and/or peroxide treatment, which is followed by a second ozone bleaching stage. The sequence (ZT) (EOP) (ZP) is preferred.

Abstract: A method of making sanitary paper products from newspapers. The method includes the steps of: (a) pulping newspapers in water with agitation to produce a pulp slurry, the fiber in the newspapers having an oil content ranging from about 0.025% to about 2.0%, by weight, and the slurry having a consistency between about 3% and about 18% and a pH below about 8.0; (b) adding a surfactant to the pulp slurry and maintaining the pulp slurry at a temperature above about 100.degree. F. for at least 15 minutes such that a substantial quantity of the oil in the old newspaper is retained; (c) increasing the consistency of the slurry to between about 3.5% and about 18%; and (d) using the treated pulp as a source of fibers in a paper making process to produce sanitary paper products.

Abstract: Ascospores of wood-penetrating, pitch-grading fungi of the class of Ascomycotina and Deuteromycotina, eg. Ophiostromas, may be screened to provide fungi combining the properties of good growth on non-sterile wood substrates and minimized or even enhanced brightness effects for use in pitch reduction of wood substrates, eg. logs and wood chips. A new and improved method of isolating such ascospores involving effective suspension in an oil consumable by the fungus, eg. a vegetable oil, and then treatment of the oil with a dispersing agent is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are dispersions of fluorescent whitening agents which are suitable for the fluorescent whitening of coating compositions for coating paper or of fibre dispersions (paper pulps) in paper production.

Abstract: Process for making polyamine-epihalohydrin resin products having very low levels of epihalohydrin or epihalohydrin hydrolyzates, particularly useful in papermaking, which includes, amongst other features, producing a polyamine-epihalohydrin polymer in aqueous solution, terminating the reaction by cooling, adjusting the pH of the polyamine-epihalohydrin solution to from about 7.5 to about 11 and concurrently heating the solution to about 35 to about 50.degree. C., and contacting the aqueous solution with selected microorganisms or an enzyme, and deactivating or removing the enzymes or microbes, cooling to about 20.degree. C. and stabilizing the composition by adjusting the pH to about 2.0 to 5.0 by the addition of acid.

Abstract: A method of treating a felt to remove contaminants therein comprises the steps of providing a felt used in transporting paper webs, preparing an enzyme solution comprising an enzyme selected from the group consisting of a cellulase, a hemicellulase, and mixtures thereof, applying the enzyme solution to the felt for a first predetermined period of time, rinsing the felt with water, applying a solution of sodium hydroxide to the felt to remove the enzyme solution, and rinsing the felt with water to remove the sodium hydroxide solution thereby removing the contaminants in the felt.

Abstract: A process for producing a thiourea dioxide fluid by mixing thiourea and a peroxide, or thiourea, a peroxide and a reaction catalyst, or thiourea, a peroxide, a reaction catalyst and a chelating agent, in the absence or presence of pulp and a process for bleaching pulp by the use of the thiourea dioxide fluid produced by the above process economically advantageously with a small chemicals loss and by small consumption of energy.

Abstract: Processes for increasing the strength of cellulosic fibers are carried out by contacting relatively dry cellulosic fibers with an agent in particulate or vapor form comprising a carboxylic acid cyclic anhydride at an elevated temperature for a time sufficient to significantly increase the bonding strength of the fibers. The treated fibers bond more readily to one another and they also hold wet and dry strength aids more strongly. Furthermore, the treatment does not significantly affect the internal chemical structure of the fibers so that paper made from the fibers exhibits overall improved dimensional stability.

Abstract: Enzyme compositions containing thermostabile xylanases of Chaetomium thermophilum, purified enzyme preparations of such xylanases, and the use of such compositions and preparations in the bleaching of plant pulp and in feed and baking applications are described.

Abstract: Cellulose is effectively oxidized with nitrogen dioxide in a hydrofluoroether solvent.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method of producing paper pulp from a fibrous raw material. According to the invention, such pulpwood is used in which the content of phenol compounds or phenolic derivatives is clearly, advantageously at least 20% lower than the average content of such compounds in the native grade of the raw material. Advantageously, the content of parahydroxy-benzoic acid (PHBA) is determined from the pulpwood and pulpwood containing low PHBA levels is used as pulping raw material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for treatment of cellulosic material, as for example, knitted or woven cotton fabric, comprising the steps of preparing an aqueous enzyme solution comprising pectinase, treating the cellulosic material with an effective amount of the aqueous enzyme solution under alkaline scouring conditions; e.g., pH of 9 or above and a temperature of 50.degree. C. or above, in a low calcium or calcium-free environment, yielding a modification of the cellulosic material such that exhibits an enhanced respond to a subsequent chemical treatment.

Abstract: A waste paper treatment process for the recycle and re-use of waste paper, which process comprises treating the waste paper, in a repulper, with a surfactant, in the absence of traditional repulper chemicals such as silicate, caustic and peroxide. The surfactant is preferably a copolymer of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, and is used in a sufficient concentration to form ink agglomerates. The ink agglomerates are retained on the paper, rather than being removed as in waste paper deinking. The process permits the elimination of normal repulper chemicals, and reduces the amount of ink sludge generated, while providing acceptable brightness levels for the recycled pulp.

Abstract: A method and composition for suppressing or inhibiting the decomposing action of enzymes on hydrogen peroxide, e.g. peroxidase and catalase, during bleaching of cellulose fibres with hydrogen peroxide, especially in connection with the production of recycled paper, in such a way that microorganisms are not markedly affected, and discharges that are dangerous to the environment are minimized. The composition contains hydroxylamine, thiocyanate salts, formic acid, ascorbic acid or nitrites.

Abstract: In the production of pulp and paper from starch-coated paper, the deinking effect can be improved by including a treatment with a starch-degrading enzyme e.g. amylase or a debranching enzyme. The process comprises enzyme treatment before, during or after disintegration of the paper to produce pulp, followed by separation of ink particles.

Abstract: The application of a treating solution containing polyhydroxy compound and choline chloride to a fibrous cellulosic material is made more uniform and reproducible by including in the treating solution a colorizing amount of a fugitive tint, by which the uniformity of the application can be observed and corrected by appropriate changes to the operating variables.

Abstract: An improved process for delignification of lignocellulosic raw material, such as wood chips, for the production of cellulose pulps for use in the manufacture of paper or paperboard and an improved pulping aid composition for use in said process are disclosed wherein the wood chips are treated in a closed reaction vessel with an alkaline pulping liquor with an amount of a cyclic keto compound, such as anthraquinone, included therein for achievement of a determined pulp yield, wherein the improvement comprises a reduction in the amount of anthraquinone required to achieve said yield by the addition to said alkaline pulping liquor, in addition to a reduced amount of the anthraquinone, a surfactant mixture comprising at least one alkyl alcohol alkoxylate and at least one polyoxyalkylene glycol ether of an ester of an acid selected from the group consisting of ricinoleic acid and 12-hydroxystearic acid.

Abstract: An improved process for delignification of lignocellulosic raw material, such as wood chips, for the production of cellulose pulps for use in the manufacture of paper or paperboard and an improved pulping aid composition for use in said process are disclosed wherein the wood chips are treated in a closed reaction vessel with an alkaline pulping liquor with an amount of a cyclic keto compound, such as anthraquinone, included therein for achievement of a determined pulp yield, wherein the improvement comprises a reduction in the amount of anthraquinone required to achieve said yield by the addition to said alkaline pulping liquor, in addition to a reduced amount of the anthraquinone, a surfactant mixture comprising at least one alkyl alcohol alkoxylate and at least one polyoxyalkylene glycol ether of an ester of an acid selected from the group consisting of ricinoleic acid and 12-hydroxystearic acid.

Abstract: A process for treating mechanical pulp having a cellobiohydrolase activity effective for modifying crystalline parts of the cellulose, an endo-.beta.-glucanase less than that which will significantly hydrolyze the cellulose, and a mannanase activity; and wherein the endo-.beta.-glucanase activity is low compared to the cellobiohydrolase activity.

Abstract: Wood-penetrating fungi of the classes Ascomycotina and Deuteromycotina may be used very effectively to degrade pitch in wood forms used in the making of cellulosic products. Such fungi include but are not limited to the blue stain fungi. The process of Ascospore selection may be used to provide fungi which exhibit good growth on wood substrate while having little or no effects on substrate brightness, or even a positive effect on brightness. The treatment positively influences strength properties of ultimate products such as paper. In one embodiment the pulpwood or pulp is treated with a pitch degrading fungus of the genus Ophiostoma.

Abstract: A method of treating wood chips prior to making paper. In the process of making paper, wood chips must be converted to pulp through delignification of the wood and where white paper is required, bleaching to remove residual lignin also is required. The invention provides for the situation where wood chips are transported long distances by ship to paper mills, when the period of the journey is utilised to carry out pulping of the wood chips by biotechnological methods. Particularly, the conditions commonly existing in the hulls of the ships with which wood chips are transported are utilized to permit biopulping and/or biobleaching of the wood chips to occur. Suitable microorganisms, while in the form of viable propagules, are applied to the wood chips before or during loading into the hulls of ships, the microorganisms incubating and growing during the journeys, to permit biopulping and/or biobleaching to occur.

Abstract: Defoaming formulations for aqueous systems are produced by treating silicates such as sodium magnesium aluminosilicates with a source of aluminum to provide an aluminum content therein in the range of 0.1 to 2.5 wt. %, preferable 0.3 to 1.2 wt. %, and forming a defoaming formulation from said aluminum treated silicate by hydrophobizing with a silicone fluid, and dispersing in oil and/or water to form a defoamer formulation.

Abstract: A deinking agent comprising a compound represented by the following general formula I is herein provided:R.sup.1 O--(PO)m--(EO)n--(XO)k--R.sup.2 (I)(wherein R.sup.1 represents an alkyl or alkenyl group having 12 to 22 carbon atoms; R.sup.2 represents a hydrogen atom or an acyl group having 2 to 24 carbon atoms; PO, EO and XO represent a propylene oxide unit, an ethylene oxide unit and an alkylene oxide unit having not less than 3 cabon atoms, respectively; m=1.about.8; n=10.about.40; and k is such a number that the number of total carbon atoms present in the polymerized XO unit ranges from 3 to 120; the PO and EO in Formula (I) being added through block-addition). The use of the deinking agent in the deinking methods, in particular, the flotation method permits the preparation of high quality reclaimed pulp having high brightness and a low content of residual ink and also ensures stable operations for the methods.

Abstract: This invention relates to the deinking process for office wastepaper for utilization in a neutral medium. Particularly the invention relates to a deinking process for office wastepaper comprising the steps of: (a) converting wastepaper to pulp; (b) contacting the pulp with a deinking agent comprising of: i) an enzyme active at a pH of from about 4 to about 9 and ii) a nonionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of higher aliphatic alcohol alkoxylates, aliphatic acid alkoxylates, higher aromatic alcohol alkoxylates, fatty acid amides of alkanolamines, fatty acid amide alkoxylates, propylene glycol alkoxylates, block or random copolymers of ethylene and propylene oxide, higher alcohol polyethylene polypropylene block or random adducts and mixtures thereof; in an aqueous medium having a pH of from about 4 to about 9; and (c) removing ink from the pulp by flotation, water washing or a combination of flotation and water washing.

Abstract: This invention relates to the deinking process for office wastepaper for utilization in a neutral medium. Particularly the invention relates to a deinking process for office wastepaper comprising the steps of: (a) converting wastepaper to pulp; (b) contacting the pulp with a deinking agent comprising of: i) an enzyme active at a pH of from about 4 to about 9 and ii) a nonionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of higher aliphatic alcohol alkoxylates, aliphatic acid alkoxylates, higher aromatic alcohol alkoxylates, fatty acid amides of alkanolamines, fatty acid amide alkoxylates, propylene glycol alkoxylates, block or random copolymers of ethylene and propylene oxide, higher alcohol polyethylene polypropylene block or random adducts and mixtures thereof; in an aqueous medium having a pH of from about 4 to about 9; and (c) removing ink from the pulp by flotation, water washing or a combination of flotation and water washing.

Abstract: Wood pulps are bleached and/or delignified using soybean peroxidase. A protease, xylanase, ligninase, pectin esterase, pectin lyase or manganese peroxidase may also be used simultaneously or as a pretreatment or posttreatment.

Abstract: A method of de-inking wastepaper by pulping the paper in the presence of an enzyme is disclosed. The enzyme dislodges the ink particles from the paper fibers. The preferred enzymes are the acid resistant carbohydrases. The de-inking medium is an aqueous solution of the enzyme, preferably maintained at a pH less than about 7 and at a temperature between about 20.degree. C. and about 60.degree. C. No conventional chemical de-inking agents are required. The dislodged ink particles may be removed by any conventional method, such as flotation or washing.

Abstract: The process uses a mixture of cellulases and xylanases to chemically change the hardwood vessel elements, rendering them susceptible to breaking under normal mill refining, thus not requiring any additional refining equipment. The process involves treating bleached hardwood brownstock pulp with the cellulase/xylanase mixture. The use of a pure cellulase enzyme is excluded.

Abstract: A process of delignifying and bleaching a chemical wood pulp with hydrogen peroxide and dicyandiamide as an activator provides a higher degree of delignification and brightness of the pulp and overcomes problems of fibre degradation. The process comprises adding hydrogen peroxide and dicyandiamide as a bleaching activator to a chemical wood pulp slurry under alkaline conditions.

Abstract: Crosslinked cellulose fibers having free pendant carboxylic acid groups are disclosed. The fibers include a polycarboxylic acid covalently coupled to the fibers, and are crosslinked with a crosslinking agent having a cure temperature lower than the cure temperature of the polycarboxylic acid. Methods for producing the fibers and for producing a fibrous sheet incorporating the fibers are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of making a wood pulp is disclosed. The method includes chipping wood into wood chips and then inoculating the wood chips with an inoculum of a white rot fungi and a nutrient adjuvant selected from the group consisting of corn steep liquor, molasses and yeast extract. The wood chips are introduced into a bioreactor and incubated. The incubated wood chips are then pulped. A method of pretreating wood including chipping the wood into wood chips and inoculating the wood chips with an inoculant of the white rot fungi and a nutrient adjuvant selected from the group consisting of corn steep liquor, molasses and yeast extract is also disclosed. A method for producing paper from the treated wood chips is also disclosed. The addition of the nutrient adjuvant dramatically reduces the amount of fungal inoculant needed (by multiple orders of magnitude), to achieve similar results.

Abstract: This invention relates to a liquid composition for the control of pitch deposition in pulp and paper making comprising an aqueous solution of (1) a derivatized cationic guar, and (2) styrene maleic anhydride copolymer.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a stable water-in-oil emulsion of a hydrolyzed polymer of an N-vinyl amide of the formula ##STR1## in which R and R.sup.1 denote H or C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, by the polymerization of a compound of the formula I alone or in admixture with another ethylenically unsaturated monomer in the presence of a polymerization initiator and emulsifier in the form of a water-in-oil emulsion, to form a water-in-oil polymeric emulsion, followed by hydrolysis of the polymer in the form of the water-in-oil polymeric emulsion in the presence of an acid or base and from 1 to 30 wt %, based on the polymer, of an emulsifier, the emulsifier used being a mixture of(a) from 5 to 95 wt % of a block or graft copolymer of the structure (A-B)m, (A)-B or (B)-A, in which in each case(a) from 5 to 95 wt % of a block or graft copolymer of the structure (A-B).sub.m, (A).sub.n B or (B).sub.

Abstract: A method for separating lignocellulosic material into (a) lignin, (b) cellulose, and (c) hemicellulose and dissolved sugars. Wood or herbaceous biomass is digested at elevated temperature in a single-phase mixture of alcohol, water and a water-immiscible organic solvent (e.g., a ketone). After digestion, the amount of water or organic solvent is adjusted so that there is phase separation. The lignin is present in the organic solvent, the cellulose is present in a solid pulp phase, and the aqueous phase includes hemicellulose and any dissolved sugars.

Abstract: The efficiency by which pulp cooking liquor components penetrate the wood and enable lignin and resins to be removed from the cellulosic materials is increased by contacting wood chips and the like with a liquid mixture comprised of white liquor containing at least one surfactant selected from the group consisting of a polymethylalkylsiloxane; a co- and terpolymer of silicone and a polyhydric alcohol; an alkoxylated aryl phosphate; an alkoxylated branched alkyl phosphate; an alkoxylated branched alcohol; an alkyl polyglycoside, an alkoxylated alkyl polyglycoside; a mixture of alkali metal salts of alkyl aromatic sulfate, a sulfosuccinate and a silicone; and combinations thereof; for a residence time effective to extract resinous components without substantial degradation of cellulose and thereafter heating at least a portion of the resulting mixture and wood chips.

Abstract: A sizing composition for fine paper that does not encounter machine feed problems in high-speed converting or reprographic operations is not solid at 35.degree. C. and comprises a mixture of 2-oxetanone compounds that are the reaction product of a reaction mixture comprising (a) a feedstock comprising primarily unsaturated fatty acids and (b) a feedstock comprising primarily saturated fatty acids, or acid halides thereof, provided that at least 20 mole % of the reaction mixture fatty acids comprise saturated fatty acids and at least 20 mole % of the reaction mixture fatty acids comprise unsaturated fatty acids.

Abstract: The process uses a mixture of cellulases and xylanases to chemically change the hardwood vessel elements, rendering them susceptible to breaking under normal mill refining, thus not requiring any additional refining equipment. The process involves treating hardwood brownstock (unbleached) pulp with a cellulase/xylanase mixture. The use of a pure cellulase enzyme is excluded.

Abstract: A water absorbent cross-linked, carboxyalkylated cellulose-containing material is produced by impregnating a cellulose-containing material with an aqueous reaction solution including a carboxyalkylating agent, an alkali metal hydroxide, and a cross-linking agent dissolved in water in an initial content of 50 to 90% by weight, the molar ratio of the carboxylating agent to glucose groups of cellulose being 0.7 to 2.0; adjusting the water content of the aqueous reaction solution impregnated in the cellulose-containing material to 20 to 60% by weight and of at least 5% by weight below the initial water content by evaporating a portion of water; and subjecting the water content-adjusted cellulose-containing material to a simultaneous cross-linking and carboxylating reaction procedure at 50.degree. to 110.degree. C., while maintaining the water content at 20 to 60% and of at least 5% by weight below the initial water content.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of certain fungi in the reduction of the pitch and/or lignin content of cellulosic materials. In particular, the white rot fungi Schizophyllum commune, Trichaptum biforme and Phanerochaete gigantea are useful in reducing pitch and/or lignin, or both, which saves electrical energy during the mechanical refining of pulps and pulpwoods used in making cellulosic products.

Abstract: A wide variety of end products may be manufactured from fibers or fiber pulp derived from feathers. Examples of such end products are paper and paper-like products, non-woven and woven fibers, insulation, filters, extrusions, and composite sheets and plates.

Abstract: The present invention aims at preventing or reducing the lowering in mechanical characteristics of a carbon fiber reinforced carbon composite due to stress orientation caused by the use of a thermosetting resin as a carbon matrix precursor resin to thereby obtain a carbon fiber reinforced carbon composite improved in mechanical characteristics, and for attaining this aim, provides a process for the preparation of a carbon fiber reinforced carbon composite which comprises impregnating a carbon fiber with a bismaleimide-triazine copolymer resin instead of the sizing agent and thermoplastic resin which have been used conventionally and heating the resulting impregnated carbon fiber in a non-oxidizing atmosphere to carbonize or graphitize the resin.

Abstract: Addition of a water-soluble polyelectrolyte (i.e. an anionic or cationic polymer) significantly increases the hydrolysis rate of esters in the presence of lipases. The invention provides a process for hydrolysis of water-insoluble ester in the presence of a lipase characterized by the presence of a water-soluble polyelectrolyte. The invention also provides a method of increasing the rate of hydrolysis of water-insoluble ester in the presence of a lipase by incorporation of a water-soluble polyelectrolyte.

Abstract: Process for bleaching a chemical paper pulp by means of a sequence of treatment stages involving at least one stage with an enzyme and at least one stage with a peroxyacid.

Abstract: A deinking method which comprises adding a specified nonionic surfactant having a specified solubility parameter as an essential component, during in the pulping step (the preceding step) and in any of the subsequent steps (the succeeding step). By use of the deinking surfactant composition and the deinking method of the present invention, an excellent deinking performance, including an elevated whiteness, a decrease in the number of unliberated large ink spots and an improved defoaming property of the flotation reject, can be achieved in deinking waste papers, in particular, waste OA papers and blends containing thereof.

Abstract: Ethyleneamines are used in washing pulp to remove lignin. A process for washing a cellulose pulp mixture containing lignin to remove at least a portion of the lignin therefrom comprises use of a washing composition with at least about 100 ppm of an ethyleneamine. The process includes an improvement in a washing process a cellulose pulp mixture containing lignin wherein a washing composition is used to remove at least a portion of the lignin, the improvement comprising use of at least about 100 ppm of an ethyleneamine with the washing composition and/or using an amount of ethyleneamine at least equivalent to about 100 ppm based on the washing composition with the washing composition. The washing composition is also novel and includes a washing composition for washing kraft pulp comprising water and at least about 100 ppm of an ethyleneamine.

Abstract: A process of de-inking waste paper can be operated under conditions using a simple combination of chemicals to result in a waste liquor that is substantially environmentally friendly. The process comprises forming a pulp from the waste paper in a aqueous medium that has a pH of between 6 and 9 and that is substantially free of dissolved phosphate and that includes an ink-dispersing amount of polycarboxylic acid dispersing agent, and separating the ink from the pulp. The use of a cationic surfactant for promoting flotation is particularly desirable.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for increasing the retention on a washing/thickening device in an aqueous papermaking system. The method generally comprises adding to the furnish solids of the system an effective amount of a cationic polyacrylamide polymer.

Abstract: A method of making a wood pulp is disclosed. The method includes chipping wood into wood chips and then inoculating the wood chips with an inoculum of Ceriporiopsis subvermispora and a nutrient adjuvant selected from the group consisting of corn steep liquor, molasses and yeast extract. The wood chips are introduced into a bioreactor and incubated. The incubated wood chips are then pulped. A method of pretreating wood including chipping the wood into wood chips and inoculating the wood chips with an inoculant of Ceriporiopsis subvermispora and a nutrient adjuvant of corn steep liquor is also disclosed. A method for producing paper from the treated wood chips is also disclosed. The addition of the corn steep liquor nutrient adjuvant dramatically reduces the amount of fungal inoculant needed (by multiple orders of magnitude), to achieve similar results.

Abstract: A method for bleaching lignocellulose containing pulp which has been chemically pulped is described wherein the method comprises the steps of sequentially treating the pulp with a reducing agent, a chelating agent and an oxidative agent.