Abstract: Hydrothermal pretreatment of mechanically compressed straw in unagitated reactors provides a simple and inexpensive solution to poor C5 monomer yields with autohydrolysis processes. Unlike raw straw, compressed straw pellets or briquettes can be pretreated on commercial scale using unagitated batch reactors or simplified unagitated continuous systems. The chemistry of hydrothermal pretreatment is thereby altered such that loss of C5 sugars to unwanted byproduct reactions is reduced. With compressed straw, water content can be introduced within the reactor while it is pressurized, which reduces energy costs and capital expense. Provided are methods of processing straw feedstocks using semi-continuous or continuous systems and a pretreatment reactor adapted to processes compressed straw with high throughput through a small reactor volume in which water content is added within the reactor under pressure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of second generation biofuels and/or sugar based chemicals—for example ethanol, butanol etc—and/or materials—for example plastics, single cell proteins etc.—together with sulfonated lignin from lignocellulosic biomass, in particular from lignocellulosic biomass comprising, among others, annual plants, agricultural waste, or wood. In particular, the present invention relates to a process for the production of sugar based chemicals, biofuels or materials together with sulfonated lignin from lignocellulosic biomass comprising the pretreatment of a lignocellulosic biomass in a sulfite cooking step.

Abstract: Polysaccharide derivatives, more particularly heteropolysaccharide derivatives, especially hemicellulose derivatives, methods for making same and structures employing same are provided.

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: This invention relates to the delignification of lignocellulosic pulp. More particularly, the invention relates to sulfonation and bleaching of the alkali pulping produced by Kraft pulp processes or produced through combination of alkali pulping processes and extended delignification stages.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for fractionating lignocellulosic biomass, comprising: contacting biomass with SO2, water, and optionally a first solvent, to produce intermediate solids; then contacting the intermediate solids with SO2, water, and a second solvent, to produce cellulose-rich solids and a liquid phase comprising hemicelluloses and lignin. The first concentration of SO2 may be lower or higher than the second concentration of SO2. It is desirable to vary the SO2 and solvent concentrations in different stages to optimize the removal of hemicellulose versus lignin. The resulting cellulose-rich material can contain very low hemicellulose, very low lignin, or both low hemicellulose and low lignin. High-purity cellulose is useful both for producing glucose as well as for cellulose products or derivatives. The hemicelluloses may be hydrolyzed to produce monomeric sugars, and the lignin may be recovered as a co-product.

Abstract: A method for the production of fermentable sugars and high viscosity cellulose from lignocellulosic material in a batch or continuous process is provided. Lignocellulosic material is fractionated in a fashion that cellulose is removed as pulp, cooking chemicals can be reused, lignin is separated for the production of process energy, and hemicelluloses are converted into fermentable sugars, while fermentation inhibitors are removed. High yield production of alcohols or organic acids can be obtained from this method using the final reaction step.

Abstract: Differentially densified fibrous structures, methods for making same, and processes for treating fibers used in the fibrous structures are provided. More particularly, fibrous structures comprising two or more regions, at least one of which exhibits a density that is at least 1.6 times greater than another region within the fibrous structure, methods for making such fibrous structures and non-naturally occurring fibers useful in such fibrous structures are provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to the delignification of lignocellulosic pulp. More particularly, the invention relates to sulfonation and bleaching of the alkali pulping produced by Kraft pulp processes or produced through combination of alkali pulping processes and extended delignification stages.

Abstract: A process for peroxide bleaching of mechanical or high yield pulp, the process comprising adding to a pulp slurry at least one stabilizer for stabilizing low valency states of transition metal ions in the slurry; subsequently adding caustic soda to said slurry simultaneously with or subsequent to adding said at least one stabilizer; adding hydrogen peroxide to the slurry at a preselected point; and subjecting the slurry to preselected conditions to complete the bleaching process.

Abstract: A process for bleaching substantially lignin-free pulp or paper in a single-stage bleaching process or multi-stage bleaching process; comprising contacting said substantially lignin-free pulp or paper with an aqueous reductive bleaching solution comprising hydroxymethane sulfinic acid during a reductive bleaching stage for sufficient amount of time to at least partially bleach said substantially lignin-free pulp or paper.

Abstract: A process is provided for preparing a commercially acceptable pharmaceutical grade microcrystalline cellulose which comprises: a) repulping a pulp, the pulp having a composition, b) pressing the pulp obtained in a; c) decompacting of the pulp obtained in b; d) feeding the pulp obtained in c) into a pre-heated reactor; e) cooking the pulp in the reactor until the pulp obtains a desired degree of polymerization, said cooking being performed at a temperature, a time, and a pressure which is a function of the desired degree of polymerization and the composition of the pulp, the cooked pulp being hydrolyzed cellulose; f) partially depressurizing the reactor; g) injecting water into the reactor; h) discharging the hydrolyzed cellulose from the reactor, i) filtrating the hydrolyzed cellulose; j) deaggregating the hydrolyzed cellulose of step i; and k) drying the hydrolyzed cellulose to form microcrystalline cellulose.

Abstract: A process for the delignification and bleaching lignocellulosic-containing pulp, in which the pulp is delignified with an organic peracid or salts thereof, treated with a complexing agent, washed and subsequently bleached with a chlorine-free peroxide containing bleaching.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing viscose pulp from lignocelluloses, such as hardwood, softwood or annual plants, in which process the lignocellulose is treated in a digester at first with saturated steam to prehydrolyze hemicelluloses and subsequently, without flashing, with hot black liquor (HSL) of a preceding sulfate pulp digestion as well as, if desired, under addition of fresh white liquor (WL) to neutralize the acidic reaction products formed, neutralization liquor (NL) thus being formed in the digester. Upon addition of the amount of alkali required for delignification in the form of fresh white liquor (WL), if desired, in combination with a displacement of neutralization liquor (NL) and temperature adjustment, digestion then will take place with or without temperature gradient.

Abstract: Processes for preparing pulp from lignin-containing cellulosic material are disclosed including a prehydrolysis step followed by neutralizing hydrolysate and the prehydrolyzed cellulosic material in the reactor with alkaline neutralizing liquor, removing the neutralized hydrolysate from the reactor and delignifying the neutralized prehydrolyzed cellulosic material with alkaline cooking liquor containing sodium sulfide and sodium hydroxide.

Abstract: Paper pulp, especially recycled paper pulp which has been deinked, is bleached in a synergistic two-stage process first with sodium bisulfite and then with sodium borohydride. The borohydride is preferably added in an aqueous mixture with sodium hydroxide. A weak acid such as acetic acid may be added to the pulp to advance further the brightness gain.

Abstract: Process for preserving the mechanical strength properties of a chemical paper pulp, comprising two treatment stages by means of a peroxidic reagent, with the first stage in an acidic medium and the second stage in an alkaline medium, according to which a treatment by means of a reducing compound is interposed between the two stages.

Abstract: Deinked paper/wood pulps are improvedly bleached to high levels of whiteness by conjointly treating such pulps with a sulfite bleaching agent, e.g., Na.sub.2 SO.sub.3, NaHSO.sub.3 or mixture thereof, or SO.sub.2 and NaOH, and a reducing agent more electronegative than the sulfite ion, e.g., thiourea dioxide, sodium borohydride or sodium dithionite, in a reaction medium having an initial pH ranging from 6 to 12, advantageously followed by washing sulfite and reducing agent values from the bleached pulp and then treating the washed pulp with hydrogen peroxide in an aqueous alkaline medium.

Abstract: Plant wastes such as rice hulls which are high in cellulose and silica are converted into a slurry of water and a silicate cross-linked cellulose poller by digestion under heat and pressure in the presence of sodium ions and a sulfite. The slurry is treated with conventional foaming agents to form a foamed product expanded in volume which may be formed into any desired shape or size by extrusion, molding or casting. The composition of the product of the conversion process is represented by the formula C.sub.7 H.sub.12 O.sub.7 (OCH.sub.3.2 NaHSiO.sub.3).

Abstract: A process for preparing chemithermomechanical pulp comprising subjecting a lignocellulosic substance from which said pulp is to be formed to the simultaneous action of a sulfite and a reducing agent that is more electronegative than the sulfite ion during a nondestructive cooking operation at a temperature of about 100.degree. C. or above under saturated steam pressure; said simultaneous action taking place at an initial pH of between 7 and 12.5.

Abstract: Bleached chemithermomechanical wood pulp having a high degree of whiteness is economically prepared by mechanically disintegrating and chemically digesting lignocellulosic material with sulfite at a temperature of at least 100.degree.C. under saturated water vapor pressure and thereafter bleaching the pulp thus treated with hydrogen peroxide in an alkaline medium, and wherein no solids or liquids are removed from the pulp from the outset of treatment through completion of the bleaching step.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of high-yield pulps bleached with the aid of hydrogen peroxide in alkaline medium, which consists in subjecting the pulp to be bleached successively to:(a) a pretreatment with the aid of a sequestering agent for metal ions, followed by a washing operation,(b) a treatment with sulphite and a reducing agent which is more electronegative than the sulphite ion, which act together and in a medium of initial pH between 7 and 12.5, followed by a washing operation to remove the sulphite ions and the reducing agent, and(c) to a bleaching treatment with the aid of hydrogen peroxide in alkaline medium in the presence of a quantity of silicate of between 0% and 1%.

Abstract: A process for the production of a hemicellulose hydrolysate and special pulp through two steps, the first step comprising the prehydrolysis of the material and the second step the dissolving of the lignin contained in the prehydrolyzed material. According to the process the lignin dissolving is carried out by neutral sulphite cooking with anthraquinone or a derivative thereof as a catalyst, the pH of the cooking liquor being initially at least 10.

Abstract: Plant waste products high in cellulose and silica, i.e. rice hulls, are converted into a slurry of water and a silicate cross-linked cellulose polymer by digestion under heat and pressure in the presence of sodium ions and a sulfite. The slurry is treated with conventional foaming agents to form a formed product expanded in volume. The foamed product may be formed into any desired shape or size by extrusion, molding or casting.

Abstract: A method for treating lignin containing pulp, subsequent to being bleached by:a) always treated with at least one chemical, which chemically reduces .alpha.-carbonyl and .gamma.-carbonyl groups in the lignin; and in at least one further step isb) treated with at least one chemical, which will block the phenolic hydroxyl groups of the lignin and/orc) supplied with at least one chemical, which will convert short-wave light quanta to long-wave light quanta.According to a preferred embodiment of the invention cellulose pulp is subjected to all of the above treatment processes, i.e. a)+b)+c) and is washed after the two initial treatment stages. The method solves the problem of yellowing of lignin containing pulps, e.g. high yield pulp.

Abstract: A method for producing a novel pulp, primarily wood pulp, from chips using pre-treatment with stabilizers and alkaline peroxide prior to mechanical fiberization (refining) to increase the brightness of the resulting fibers and the papermaking strength achievable with the fibers. The novel aspect of the pretreatment prior to refining is that it reuslts in the "in situ" formation within the chips of a stabilizing flock or sol.

Abstract: Resin is removed from mechanical pulps, such as TMP, CTMP, and the like, in a quick and simple manner. Mechanical pulp at a consistency of about 7-20 percent (preferably 8-15 percent) is subjected to high turbulence. The high turbulence may be effected by fluidizing the pulp, as in a centrifugal fluidizing pump, or otherwise by subjecting it to high turbulence as in a mixer, screen, or disc mill refiner. By subjecting the pulp to high turbulence treatment for a time period of about 0.2-10 seconds, resin removal is greatly enhanced, and in subsequent dewatering of the pulp a pressate is formed which has a higher concentration of resin in the pressate than in pressates produced by conventional processes. After dewatering the pulp is preferably diluted (again to about 7-20 percent consistency), and the turbulence and dewatering steps are repeated. Chemicals to improve deresination can be added to the pulp while it is subjected to high turbulence.

Abstract: A method for producing novel pulp, primarily wood pulp, from chips using pre-treatment with stabilizers and alkaline peroxide prior to mechanical fiberization (refining) to increase the brightness of the resulting fibers and the papermaking strength achievable with the fibers. The novel aspect of the pre-treatment prior to refining is that it results in the "in situ" formation within the chips of a stabilizing flock or sol.

Abstract: A process for bleaching a lignocellulosic matter in the form of a mechanical, thermomechanical, chemicomechanical or chemicothermomechanical papermaking pulp, or of wood chips while being converted into one of these pulp types by processing in a machine consisting essentially of two interpenetrating spiral surfaces wound around parallel shafts driven in synchronous rotation in the same direction inside a barrel which encloses them, and determining between upstream and downstream in the direction of forward travel of the matter a series of zones for drawing and braking the matter, which comprises combining a bleaching treatment using a reducing agent and a bleaching treatment using an oxidizing agent, characterized in that, after pretreatment using at least one metal-complexing or sequestering agent, the lignocellulosic matter undergoes a washing operation with an efficiency greater than 96% before undergoing in succession a bleaching treatment using a reducing agent at a pH of between about 8 and 12, a washin

Abstract: A multistage process for bleaching high-yield and ultra high-yield pulps is described whereby the pulp is treated sequentially with a peroxygen compound, a reducing compound and a final peroxygen compound to achieve higher brightness levels.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved process for preparing pulp suitable for paper making. Although processes using explosive decompression have been known in the past, it has been believed that these must be conducted at relatively low temperatures. Although such known processes of explosive decompression resulted in a saving of power, the physical strength was low, the color was relatively dark and there was a considerable yield loss. This invention is to provide a process to achieve the saving of power resulting from the use of explosive decompression but in which there is good brightness, high yield and good fiber strength. The process of this invention defines conditions for achieving these objectives. These conditions include impregnation of the chips of other wood fragments under specified conditions and cooking with saturated steam at a high temperature and pressure followed by explosive decompression and refining.

Abstract: A process of manufacturing cellulose pulp from wood by digesting the wood with sulphite cooking liquor containing additions of sulphide and in the presence of a quinone or hydroquinone compound. According to the invention, the mole ratio between sulphide and sulphite shall amount to 0.01-0.2, preferably 0.05.0.15, suitably 0.08-0.12.

Abstract: A method for the production of fiber pulp from lignocellulosic material containing at least 70% spruce or spruce-like material. The method comprises the steps of lignin softening and defibration/refining, the step of lignin softening being performed prior to the step of defibration/refining and comprising impregnating the starting material with a dilute aqueous solution of a lignin softening agent, namely a solution of sulfurous acid, metal bisulfite salts and/or metal sulfite salts in an amount sufficient to provide a defibrated/refined pulp containing an absorbed and bonded amount of sulfonate groups within the range of from 0.06 to 0.75 wt.-%, calculated as Na.sub.2 SO.sub.3 and based on the dry pulp weight. The absorbed and bonded amount of sulfonate groups is balanced to the composition of the starting material and the temperature-pressure conditions in the defibration step to provide a pulp of maximum tensile strength such as to represent a point within the polygon ABGH in FIG. 1.

Abstract: A process for the oxidative or reductive bleaching of wood pulp, especially in the presence of heavy metal salts, in which a complex former combination containing at least one phosphonic acid, at least one polyhydroxycarboxylic acid and at least one phosphate or salts thereof is added to a wood pulp slurry in an amount of from 0.5 to 50%, based on the dry mass of the wood pulp, and subsequent bleaching is carried out in the presence of a reducing agent. Also provided is a complex former combination for use in the oxidative or reductive bleaching of wood pulp, comprising at least one phosphonic acid, at least one polyhydroxycarboxylic acid and at least one phosphate or salts thereof.

Abstract: Pulps having a tactile sense of softness which are made from hardwoods and processes for making such pulps. The process comprises the steps of: providing hardwood chips having specified sizes; introducing the chips into a digester; removing substantially all the free oxygen from the chips within the digester; providing a cooking liquor comprising from about 0.4% to about 3% ammonia and from about 9% to about 14% sulphur dioxide; completely submerging in cooking liquor all the chips within the digester; sulfonating the lignin within the chips at a temperature of less than about 110.degree. C.; rapidly increasing the temperature to an appropriate hydrolysis temperature; hydrolyzing the lignin sulfonation products at a temperature of from about 140.degree. to about 155.degree. C. at a pH from about 2 to about 3; and rapidly reducing the temperature of the system following the hydrolysis. Pulps made by this process were made into useful tissue paper webs having enhanced softness properties.

Abstract: The extent of delignification of chemical pulps by oxygen-containing chemicals, preferably hydrogen peroxide, is enhanced by demethylating the pulp prior to such oxidative delignification, to a degree of demethylation of at least about 30%, preferably at least about 50%. Demethylation may be achieved by chemical treatment of the already-formed pulp or by modification to the pulping process to result in demethylated pulp.

Abstract: A two stage sulfonation system includes a mixing tank, a retention tank, a thickening press, a pressurized vessel, and a liquor recovery press in series relation.The system is designed to receive mechanical pulp, in a slurry form, first introduced into the mixing tank simultaneously with a metered charge of sodium sulfite solution from the holding tank, the sodium sulfite content of which is at a level from about 40 to about 200 g/l. The solution is mixed into the slurry to provide a relatively uniform and intimate contact thereof with its fiber content. This slurry is transferred to the retention tank and there held subject to a sub-boiling temperature between 140 to 210 degrees F., producing a first stage sulfonation of the fiber content. The slurry is then passed to the pressurized vessel, in the course of which it is subjected to a pressing action, extracting liquor which inherently contains a majority of the original sodium sulfite charge directed to the mixing tank.

Abstract: Pulps having a tactile sense of softness which are made from hardwoods and processes for making such pulps. The process comprises the steps of: providing hardwood chips having specified sizes; introducing the chips into a digester; removing substantially all the free oxygen from the chips within the digester; providing a cooking liquor comprising from about 0.4% to about 3% ammonia and from about 9% to about 14% sulphur dioxide; completely submerging in cooking liquor all the chips within the digester; sulfonating the lignin within the chips at a temperature of less than about 110.degree. C.; rapidly increasing the temperature to an appropriate hydrolysis temperature; hydrolyzing the lignin sulfonation products at a temperature of from about 140.degree. to about 155.degree. C. at a pH from about 2 to about 3; and rapidly reducing the temperature of the system following the hydrolysis. Pulps made by this process were made into useful tissue paper webs having enhanced softness properties.

Abstract: A process is provided for pretreating particulate lignocellulosic material to remove heavy metals and resin without any delignification or defibration, which comprises washing particulate lignocellulosic material; compressing the washed material to a solids content of at least 40% to remove absorbed and excess liquid; impregnating the compressed material with an alkaline aqueous solution comprising alkali and at least one of a heavy metal ion complexing agent and a heavy metal ion reducing agent; heating the impregnated material at a temperature within the range from abut 50.degree. to 100.degree. C. for up to approximately 0.75 hour; compressing the pretreated material to a solids content of at least 40%; and separating undiluted liquor squeezed out during the compression, while maintaining conditions during the pretreating such that the pH of the squeezed-out liquor is within the range from about 4 to about 9.

Abstract: In the delignification of chemical wood pulp with oxygen and alkali a larger reduction of the kappa number may be obtained without an increase in the charge of oxygen or alkali, provided the pulp is pretreated with a solution of sulphite or bisulphite in order to introduce hydrophilic groups in the sulphate lignin in the chemical wood pulp.

Abstract: An improved pulping process for producing high yield pulps from woody lignocellulosic material wherein the lignocellulosic material is treated with a pulping chemical and mechanically defibrated. The improvement comprises pre-treating the lignocellulosic material by impregnating same with a loweralkanolamine so as to cause softening of lignin in the material and to promote fiber separation. As a result, pulping chemical and refining energy consumption as well as vapor and liquid effluent pollution are significantly reduced.

Abstract: A two-stage chemical treatment process is disclosed for increasing the density, strength and brightness properties of mechanical wood pulp. The method comprises the steps of: applying an aqueous solution of sodium sulfite in the range of about 1%-10% sodium sulfite based on bone dry weight of wood to wood particles, the solution having a pH in the range of about 4.5-11; heating the sodium sulfite treated wood particles to a temperature in the range of about 100.degree.-160.degree. C.

Abstract: A method for controlling the pH of the liquid circulation in a continuous prehydrolysis apparatus where a mineral acid or some other acid stronger than sulfurous acid is used as a hydrolysis agent and the material to be hydrolyzed is transferred, entrained in the liquids of a first and a second liquid circulation separated by a liquid exchanger, from a steaming vessel to a hydrolysis vessel by means of a transfer valve. Such an amount of alkaline sulfite or ammonium sulfite is added into the liquid of the first liquid circulation as is necessary to make the liquid alkaline or at least neutral.

Abstract: Bleached wood pulp is treated with a sulphite after bleaching and before or during flash drying to reduce the formation of nodules of agglomerated wood pulp fibres in the dried pulp, particularly in short fibre pulp from hard woods such as birch and eucalyptus. The sulphite is preferably added to the bleached pulp in the form of an aqueous solution of an alkali metal sulphite for example a 0.4 to 5 percent by weight solution of sodium sulphite. The process of the invention is particularly suitable for drying pulp which is at an acid pH due to residual acids remaining on the pulp from the bleaching process, for example pulp bleached by treatment with chlorine dioxide.

Abstract: The production of chemical pulp by the acid sulfite digestion process is improved by increasing the ratio by weight of combined SO.sub.2 to wood to a range of from 4 to 12 (based on one part of combined SO.sub.2 to 100 parts of dry wood) and by increasing the minimum average rate of heating to the substantially maximum cooking temperature to 40.degree. C. per hour.

Abstract: Paper pulp is produced by a process in which raw sugar mill bagasse is moist depithed, wet bulk stored in the presence of an inorganic and organic preservative, wet depithed by hydraulic shearing in the presence of an inorganic color remover, pulped, washed, cleaned and dewatered.

Abstract: A process for making a refiner mechanical pulp from wood chips which comprises:(a) Comminuting the wood chips largely by splitting along the wood grain;(b) Wetting said particles with a solution of a sulphite salt of an alkali metal to add an amount of said alkali metal salt within the range of 1% to 10% of the oven dry weight of said particles, said solution having a pH within the range of 7 to 12.5;(c) Steam heating the sulphite salt solution bearing particles to a temperature within the range between 80.degree. C. and 165.degree. C. and holding them within that temperature range for a period of 0.5 to 80 minutes;(d) Passing the particles, after said period of heating, through a disc refiner to produce refiner mechanical pulp.

Abstract: A method for oxygen delignifying magnesium sulfite pulp is disclosed. More particularly, a method is disclosed by which the spent liquors from digestion of magnesium sulfite pulp and from alkaline oxygen bleaching of the pulp can be combined and combusted without a smelt of sodium compounds being formed during the combustion.

Abstract: An improved, three-stage process for producing high yield chemimechanical pulps from wood or other lignocellulosic materials, such as chips, whereby, in the first stage, the wood or other lignocellulosic material is treated with sulfur dioxide gas or aqueous solution of sulfur dioxide, whereby sufficient sulfur dioxide is present to provide an amount of at least about 1 percent by weight based on weight of wood or other lignocellulosic material; in the second stage, said wood is sulfonated in an aqueous solution of sodium sulfite at a temperature of between about 100.degree. C. and 150.degree. C. for between about 10 and 90 minutes, said aqueous solution having a pH of between about 6 and 8.5 at the end of said sulfonating, without reducing the pulp yield to below about 90 percent; and, in the third stage, subjecting the resulting sulfonated wood to mechanical defibration.

Abstract: Process and apparatus are provided for the preparation of improved high-yield cellulose pulps, such as semichemical, chemimechanical, thermomechanical, and mechanical pulps, which comprises mechanically defibrating a mixture of particulate lignocellulosic materials which have been partially pulped and softened to different extents. Part of the raw lignocellulosic material is particulate form is washed, moistened with steam, impregnated with pulping chemicals and pulped to a yield of from about 65 to about 92%. Another part is treated in similar manner but either not pulped at all or, if pulped, pulped to a lesser extent. The two parts are mixed without intermediate washing, after which the mixture is subjected to a vapor phase pulping by heating to a temperature within the range from about 90 to about 200.degree. C. under pressure to obtain softening of the lignin, and delignification, after which the resulting product is mechanically defibrated to form cellulose pulp.