Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for extracting oxidised metal pollutants from treated cellulosic or lignocellulosic biomass to recover the metal. The treatment also generates a cellulosic or lignocellulosic biomass which can to be used as a feedstock for biofuel, for making cellulose containing materials, and provides a source of other renewable chemicals.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a recycled pulp fiber manufacturing method with which it is possible to easily obtain recycled pulp fibers containing less of a high water-absorption polymer without requiring any mechanical equipment such as an ozone generation apparatus.

Abstract: A method for bleaching pulp is provided. In the method at least one tertiary amine compound is introduced into a process stage of bleaching. This process stage is a stage which comprises mixing pulp and a chlorine compound capable of bleaching.

Abstract: Microbial growth in an aqueous system containing borohydride residues is controlled by adding an aldehyde or aldehyde source, followed by adding an active halogen biocide. The active halogen biocide is preferably stabilized by an N-hydrogen compound.

Abstract: In a method for catalytic oxidation of cellulose a heterocyclic nitroxyl radical is used as catalyst, hypochlorite is used as main oxidant acting as oxygen source, and a tertiary amine or chlorine dioxide as an activator of the heterocyclic nitroxyl radical.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for the pretreatment of lignocellulosic material. The present invention further provides for pretreated lignocellulosic material that can be used to produce useful products, such as fermentable sugars.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling deposit-forming contaminants that comprise pitch or other fiber components which can interfere with the processing of the fibers, reduce paper quality, or both in papermaking systems. The method includes contacting fibers with a lipase and at least one peroxide source-free oxidant, and optionally nonionic surfactant, to liberate the organic contaminants from the fibers. Paper products of the method are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing an oxidised cellulose pulp fibrillar network and a composite with lignocellulosic fibres comprising the following steps: (a) oxidising a cellulose pulp to obtain about 0.3 to 2.5 mmol carboxylic groups per gram cellulose pulp; and about 0.1 to 5.0 mmol aldehyde groups per gram cellulose pulp; (b) homogenisation of the cellulose pulp of step (a) wherein the cellulose fibres are refined to provide a cellulose pulp comprising 0-50% of fibres having an average length 0.7 mm-2.1 mm; and 50-100% of fibres having a particle size of 0.05-500 micrometer (?m); and optionally (c) combining with lignocellulosic fibre. Also step (d) drying of the cellulose pulp obtained by step (b) or step (c) may be included in the process.

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

Abstract: The instant invention pertains to the use of chlorine dioxide in new processes for treating lignocellulosic feedstocks, as well as, new compositions suitable for, for example, bioalcohol production. Advantageously, the processes and compositions of the present invention may be used in more environmentally friendly, cost-efficient production of fuels and, if desired, may be coupled with other biomass processing facilities such as Kraft pulp bleaching mills.

Abstract: Provided are a method for producing bleached pulp, comprising processing unbleached pulp obtained by cooking a lignocellulose substance, for alkali-oxygen bleaching followed by treatment with peroxomonosulfuric acid and thereafter by multistage chlorine-free bleaching treatment starting from chlorine dioxide treatment; a method for producing bleached pulp, comprising processing the unbleached pulp for alkali-oxygen bleaching followed by chlorine-free bleaching treatment or totally chlorine-free bleaching treatment to bleach it to a degree of brightness of from 70 to 89%, and further followed by treatment with peroxomonosulfuric acid; and paper produced by the use of the bleached pulp produced according to these production methods, at a papermaking pH of at most 6.

Abstract: The invention can be summarized as follows. There is provided a method of bleaching chemical pulp comprising the steps of exposing chemical pulp to a chemical bleaching state to produce a partially bleached pulp and treating the partially bleached pulp with a thermophilic, alkalophilic xylanase in an alkaline extraction stage at pH of 8 to 14. The method may be performed in a mill and may form part of a more complex pulp bleaching process. The invention also relates to the use of a thermophilic, alkalophilic xylanase in an alkaline extraction stage of a pulp bleaching process in a mill.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for chlorine dioxide delignification and/or bleaching processes by reacting pulp with chlorine dioxide and a peroxidase and/or a laccase.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods of bleaching chemical pulp that use xylanase enzymes after chemical bleaching. The method comprises the steps of carrying out a chlorine dioxide stage to produce a partially bleached pulp, treating the partially bleached pulp with a xylanase enzyme, optionally in the presence of oxygen and hydrogen peroxide, in a mild extraction stage, then bleaching the pulp with a second chlorine dioxide stage. The method allows the mill to decrease the usage of sodium hydroxide or other alkali, while decreasing the use of chlorine dioxide, and possibly improving the yield and strength of the pulp, while maintaining a similar level of bleached brightness of the pulp. The pulp bleaching method of the present invention may be performed in a pulp mill as part of a complex pulp bleaching process.

Abstract: A method of bleaching chemical pulp with xylanase after chemical bleaching is provided. The method comprises the steps of exposing chemical pulp to a chlorine dioxide bleaching stage to produce a partially bleached pulp, treating the partially bleached pulp with a xylanase in an enzyme treatment stage at a pH of about 3 to about 8, then carrying out an alkaline extraction of the pulp. The pulp bleaching method of the present invention may be performed in a pulp mill as part of a complex pulp bleaching process.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods of bleaching chemical pulp with xylanase after chemical bleaching. The method comprises the steps of treating chemical pulp with a first xylanase in a first enzyme treatment stage to produce an enzyme treated pulp, exposing the enzyme treated pulp to a chemical bleaching stage to produce a partially bleached pulp, and treating the partially bleached pulp with a second xylanase in a second enzyme treatment stage at a pH of about 3 to about 8. Further, there is disclosed a method of bleaching pulp comprising the steps of exposing chemical pulp to a chlorine dioxide bleaching stage to produce a partially bleached pulp, treating the partially bleached pulp with a xylanase in an enzyme treatment stage at a pH of about 3 to about 8, then carrying out an alkaline extraction of the pulp. The pulp bleaching method of the present invention may be performed in a pulp mill as part of a complex pulp bleaching process.

Abstract: A method using biological processes in the production of pulp from industrial wood waste is described. The process makes use of various species of white-rot fungi which selectively degrade lignin. The industrial wood waste must be cleaned and hydrated prior to inoculation with the fungus. Paper produced by this process has excellent strength characteristics as compared to both non-treated industrial wood waste and pulp produced from virgin wood chips. Substantial energy savings are also realized when the biopulped industrial wood waste chips are further refined by conventional mechanical pulping procedures. Kraft pulping of wood waste resulted in strength properties comparable to those of virgin wood. Fungal pretreatment subsequently enhanced the resulting kraft pulp properties.

Abstract: Methods of controlling the formation of calcium oxalate in aqueous systems are disclosed. The methods comprise adding from about 0.1 to 500 ppm of a water soluble (meth)acrylic acid/allyl ether copolymer to the desired water system. The methods are especially well adapted for use in pulping and paper making systems wherein calcium oxalate is often encountered as a troublesome scale forming compound.

Abstract: The present invention describes a novel method of bleaching wood pulp by using an aqueous solution containing a salt of lactic acid or citric acid and chlorous acid wherein the aqueous solution is obtained by reacting lactic acid or citric acid and sodium chlorite at a temperature ranging from about 60.degree. F. and about 80.degree. F.

Abstract: A process and composition especially suited for bleaching wood pulp characterized by the use of hypochlorous acid in combination with chlorine dioxide and/or a nitrogen compound having the characteristic of minimizing fiber degradation and enhancing fiber brightness. The preferred composition is in an aqueous solution adjusted to an optimum pH and is used as a direct replacement for conventional compositions so as to effect substantial savings in the costs of chemicals and energy per ton of bleached pulp.

Abstract: High yield pulping is achieved by cooking a lignocellulosic material in a confined chamber in the absence of added oxygen at elevated temperatures up to 240.degree. C. with an initially neutral or acidic mixture of alcohol and water in volume ratio between 50:50 and virtually anhydrous alcohol cooking liquor, using a lower aliphatic alcohol namely methanol, ethanol or n-propanol, carrying in solution at least about 0.002 moles per liter of a magnesium, calcium or barium salt as a primary catalyst soluble in at least catalytic amounts in the mixture to form barium, calcium and magnesium ions. The cooking time may range from at least two (2) minutes to under three (3) hours. The process yields bright, free-fiber pulp even at residual lignin of 80 Kappa number as high as 80% of softwood and up to 75% of hardwood weight, of viscosity (TAPPI 0.5% Cu En) above 18 up to 60 centipoise. Addition of trace amounts of an acidic compound as a secondary catalyst increases the rate of delignification.

Abstract: A process for maintaining pulp viscosity while enhancing brightness during the bleaching stage or stages of pulp preparation in the manufacture of paper comprising adding an effective amount of melamine to paper pulp prior to or during the bleaching stage. One example adds melamine to one bleach stage of a chlorine bleaching sequence. One example adds melamine to one bleach stage of a chlorine bleaching sequence.

Abstract: A process for maintaining pulp viscosity during the bleaching stage or stages of pulp preparation in the manufacture of paper comprising adding an effective amount of caffeine or guanine prior to or during the bleaching stage. One example adds caffeine or guanine to one bleach stage of a chlorine bleaching sequence.

Abstract: Improved pulp strength and brightness of chemically produced pulp can be obtained by treating the pulp with the addition of 0.05-0.5% based on the weight of the dry fiber of certain amine materials in the hypochlorite bleaching stage.

Abstract: Improved pulp strength and brightness of chemically produced pulp can be obtained by treating the pulp with the addition of 0.05-0.5% based on the weight of the dry fiber of certain aromatic materials in the hypochlorite bleaching stage.

Abstract: Improved pulp strength and brightness of chemically produced pulp can be obtained by treating the pulp with the addition of 0.05--0.5% based on the weight of the dry fiber of polyacrylic acid and/or its water-soluble salts in the chlorination bleaching stages.

Abstract: Paper pulp is prepared from dicotyledonous plants by stirring said plants in an alkaline solution in the presence of a surfactant and stain inhibiting agent to obtain a stock containing a woody core fraction and a bark fraction containing bast fibers, separating said fractions and then cooking and bleaching the bark fraction in an alkaline solution containing an oxidizing agent and an alkyl sulfate surfactant.

Abstract: Efficient lignin removal from cellulosic pulp with decreased cellulose degradation is attained by replacing chlorine with an acidic bromine-chlorine mixture in acidic chlorination of the pulp.

Abstract: Plant material containing hemicellulose and lignin is prehydrolyzed in the presence of steam and the vapors of a dilute acid solution having a pH of 1.5-3.5 at a temperature of 105.degree. C to 135.degree. C for 7-20 minutes to hydrolyze the hemicellulose into pentoses and hexoses and to leave a fibrous material and a liquid, said liquid containing said pentoses and hexoses. The liquid is separated from the fibrous material, and the pentoses and hexoses are recovered from the liquid. The fibrous material is digested with white liquor at a temperature of 105.degree. C to 135.degree. C.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to pulp bleaching processes, and in particular compositions for use in the bleaching process to enhance the efficiency of the process. It was discovered that if a low molecular weight water soluble polymer of acrylic acid, or water soluble salt thereof was added either alone or together with a carboxymethyl cellulose to the bleaching solution, that less bleaching solution was required.