Abstract: The use of low specific gravity wood from thinning operations, for example, will produce a lower brownstock viscosity for a given kappa number target. A differential of 200-cP falling ball pulp viscosity has been detected from Kraft cooks of low and high specific gravity wood. Using low specific gravity wood can reduce the bleach stage temperature and the chemical dose needed in the bleach plant to produce lyocell pulp specifications. Low specific gravity wood also increases the ability to reduce pulp viscosity to very low levels without increasing the copper number of the pulp or the concentration of carbonyl in the pulp above acceptable levels.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, lyocell products can be made with unbleached pulps resulting in products with high amounts of hemicellulose and high amounts of lignin as compared to conventional lyocell products. The lyocell products of the present invention are advantageously less expensive to produce but retain the desirable strength of conventional lyocell products.

Abstract: Through-air dried (“TAD”) fibrous structures, especially TAD fibrous structures incorporated into sanitary tissue products, that comprise a short fiber furnish having a length of from about 0.4 mm to about 1.2 mm and a coarseness of from about 3.0 mg/100 m to about 7.5 mg/100 m, and processes for making such TAD fibrous structures are provided.

Abstract: Fibrous structures, especially fibrous structures incorporated into facial tissue, toilet tissue and paper towel and napkin products, that comprise a fiber having a length of from about 0.4 mm to about 1.2 mm and a coarseness of from about 3.0 mg/100 m to about 7.5 mg/100 m, wherein the fibrous structures exhibit a lint value of greater than about 3.5 to about 15, and processes for making such fibrous structures are provided.

Abstract: In a new process for preparing pulped wood chips for paper making, chips from a hardwood such as eucalyptus are inoculated with a living culture of one or more white rot fungi. The fungi propagate throughout the body of the wood chip, selectively attacking the lignin of the wood without harming the cellulosic fibers. Subsequent kraft pulping with standard chemicals results in less chemical usage, reduced utilization of energy, improved strength, and reduced cooking time.

Abstract: A process for making a pulp product that has a low COD is comprised of soaking and washing pulp in alkaline water for a sufficient time so that the COD after soaking and washing is less than or equal to 2.0 kg/1000 kg of dry pulp. The process includes repetitively soaking and washing an unbleached pulp in alkaline water that is never allowed to drop below pH 7.0. In this process, the pulp is soaked and washed for a total of at least 220 minutes at an elevated temperature to produce the pulp product that has a low COD.

Abstract: Chemical pulps or papers, especially kraft pulps or papers, which may still contain traces of lignin, have enhanced resistance to yellowing when they contain an effective stabilizing amount of a N,N-dialkylhydroxylamine, an ester, amide or thio substituted N,N-dialkylhydroxylamine or N,N-dibenzylhydroxylamine or an amminium salt thereof. This performance is often further enhanced by the presence of one or more coadditives selected from the group consisting of the UV absorbers, the polymeric inhibitors, the nitrones, the fluorescent whitening agents and metal chelating agents. Combinations of hydroxylamines or their salts, benzotriazole or benzophenone UV absorbers and a metal chelating agent are particularly effective. N,N-Diethylhydroxylamine and N,N-dibenzylhydroxylamine and their acid salts are surprisingly effective for this purpose.

Abstract: Cigarette filter rod employs as filtration material moisture disintegrative paper. The moisture disintegration index of the paper does not exceed 20.

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° 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: Process for enriching the organic nitrogen content of commercial scale quantities of cellulosic materials which includes the steps of: a) placing substantially dry or unwetted cellulosic material in a pressurizable reactor; b) injecting an ammonia or ammonia-forming nitrogen solution into the reactor until the cellulosic material is approximately submerged; c) setting the temperature in the reactor to maintain a liquid temperature between about 80 and 200° C.; d) pressurizing the reactor to at least 750 psi; e) maintaining the temperature and pressure in the reactor for a period of time sufficient for the organically bound nitrogen content of the cellulosic material to exceed about 1.5%; and f) drying the cellulosic material to a moisture content sufficiently low to arrest microbial activity.

Abstract: Composite panels and pulp, and paper products of the pulp, are produced from Arundo donax. In the fabrication of the composite panels, Arundo donax is comminuted to a suitable size, combined with a binder, and consolidated into panels that meet standards for construction and/or furniture grade panels. The Arundo donax particulates may be combined with wood particulates to produce a mixed furnish that can be used in the preparation of composite panels. Comminuted Arundo donax is treated, in conventional pulping processes, to produce a high tensile strength pulp that can be used in the production of paper. The pulp has a lighter color than wood pulp, and thereby uses less bleaching chemicals to achieve a desired whiteness. The pulp can be combined with wood pulp to produce a variety of products.

Abstract: Composite panels and pulp, and paper products of the pulp, are produced from Arundo donax. In the fabrication of the composite panels, Arundo donax is comminuted to a suitable size, combined with a binder, and consolidated into panels that meet standards for construction and/or furniture grade panels. The Arundo donax particulates may be combined with wood particulates to produce a mixed furnish that can be used in the preparation of composite panels. Comminuted Arundo donax is treated, in conventional pulping processes, to produce a high tensile strength pulp that can be used in the production of paper. The pulp has a lighter color than wood pulp, and thereby uses less bleaching chemicals to achieve a desired whiteness. The pulp can be combined with wood pulp to produce a variety of products.

Abstract: A method for treating cellulosic materials is disclosed which comprises contacting the cellulosic material with a cellulase obtainable from Thermomonospora fusca corresponding to E5 or a derivative thereof. Particularly preferred methods comprise stonewashing and detergent cleaning of cotton fabrics, the production of paper products, as an additive to animal feed and in the production of food, starch, ethanol and sugar.

Abstract: An integrated process for the combined fermentation and the conversion of liquid and solid residues generated by the cane sugar industry into a variety of useful products. The process also relates to the treatment of other biomass materials. The process combines elements of alcohol-based organosolv pulping with fermentation in a fully integrated operation. This process eliminates the need for separate costly facilities, thus reducing capital and operating costs, providing opportunities for heat and energy reduction and a high degree of internal process recycle. The process would replace costly waste and residue treatment operations with revenue generating operations.

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: A paper product having a mass of cellulosic fibers produced from wood, where the fibers have a pitch content reduced by at least about 40% as compared to an expected pitch content based on naturally-occurring levels of pitch in the wood is disclosed.

Abstract: Processes are disclosed for extracting sugar rich liquor from sugar cane. The sugar cane is first treated by pulping it in two tub type pulpers having a rotating impeller. The contents of the first pulper are extracted through the bedplate of the extractor and are forwarded onto the second pulper. The contents of the second pulper are extracted through the bedplate of the extractor and are forwarded to form a mat on a moving belt countercurrent extractor of the type having a foraminous belt. Negative pressure is applied below the belt to assist the extraction of a sugar rich liquid component through the belt. The material passes through several separation zones as it travels on the belt with liquid applied to the mat from a region above the belt. The extracted liquid component is collected for further processing.

Abstract: An electric double layer capacitor having an element impregnated with a non-aqueous electrolyte, said element comprising positive and negative electrodes made of carbonaceous electrodes, and a separator interposed between the electrodes, wherein said separator is made of paper prepared to contain at least 50 wt % of fibers obtained by beating regenerated cellulose fibers.

Abstract: A process for producing fibrous materials for the manufacture of cellulose, paper or wood materials by using at least one dicarboxylic acid dialkyl ester and/or a copolymer of polyester-polyether and/or fatty acid polyol monopolyester, dipolyester, tripolyester and or higher polyester. Fibrous materials with an improved quality and higher yield are thus produced.

Abstract: A discontinuous lignocellulose fiber is described for use as a reinforcing filler for thermoplastic composite compositions. The fiber filler includes a significant percentage by weight of long, “hair-like” fibers. Specifically, at least about 20 percent by weight of the fiber filler is discontinuous lignocellulose fiber with a fiber length greater than about 15 millimeters and a fiber diameter less than about 0.5 millimeters. A moldable thermoplastic composite composition including the discontinuous lignocellulose fiber comprises about 20 to about 50 percent by weight of the fiber filler and about 50 to about 80 percent by weight thermoplastic. The discontinuous lignocellulose fiber filler yields thermoplastic composite compositions having improved physical properties over basic thermoplastic. The improved physical properties can be achieved without the use of coupling agents, although coupling agents may be used to further enhance the composite properties.

Abstract: Chemical cellulose pulp is made from sawdust utilizing a static down-flow retention vessel. By adding steam and cooking liquor to a flow of sawdust a heated slurry, at a cooking temperature of about 250-350° F., is produced. The heated slurry is, at superatmospheric pressure, moved downwardly in the static down-flow retention vessel while cooking temperature is maintained, for a time period of about 0.5-6 (preferably 1 to 3) hours, the slurry having a consistency of about 5-30%. At superatmospheric pressure, without significant reduction in pressure from the retention vessel, the slurry is cooled to well below cooking temperature by diffusing cooling liquid through it, as in a conventional pressure diffuser. The discharge from the retention vessel is preferably substantially solely gravity action (e.g. using a discharge with single convergence and side relief).

Abstract: A process for producing a pulp suitable for papermaking from a nonwood fiber source material. Representative nonwood fiber source materials include corn stover and wheat straw. The process includes the steps of providing a nonwood fiber source material; digesting the nonwood fiber source material with an alkaline pulping solution at at least about atmospheric pressure; reducing the pH of the nonwood fiber source material to an acidic pH with an acid solution; treating the nonwood fiber source material having an acidic pH with ozone; and treating the nonwood fiber source material with a bleaching solution to form a papermaking pulp.

Abstract: A discontinuous lignocellulose fiber is described for use as a reinforcing filler for thermoplastic composite compositions. The fiber filler includes a significant percentage by weight of long, “hair-like” fibers. Specifically, at least about 20 percent by weight of the fiber filler is discontinuous lignocellulose fiber with a fiber length greater than about 15 millimeters and a fiber diameter less than about 0.5 millimeters. A moldable thermoplastic composite composition including the discontinuous lignocellulose fiber comprises about 20 to about 50 percent by weight of the fiber filler and about 50 to about 80 percent by weight thermoplastic. The discontinuous lignocellulose fiber filler yields thermoplastic composite compositions having improved physical properties over basic thermoplastic. The improved physical properties can be achieved without the use of coupling agents, although coupling agents may be used to further enhance the composite properties.

Abstract: The method of the invention involves treating cellulosic vegetable matter (the “Feed Stocks”) for the selective recovery of lignin (when present in the feed-stock), cellulose and hemi-celluloses by: (1) reducing the material to be processed to an appropriate size; (2) adjusting the moisture content of the ligno-cellulosic feed stock to 15 percent to 30 percent water; (3) impregnating the ligno-cellulosic feed stock with an extraction liquor containing a glycol and an organic or Lewis acid; (4) rapid heating of said impregnated feed stock to a temperature of about 118° C. to about 145° C.; (5) maintaining the desired temperature for about 1 minute to about 6 minutes to solubilize the lignin therefrom (a period of about 2 minutes to about 5 minutes is preferred); (6) stopping the reaction immediately by lowering the temperature to <100° C.

Abstract: A method of making kenaf pulp of the present invention is formed of a first process of cutting at least one of core, rind, root and stalk of kenaf into chips with a predetermined length; a second process of crushing the chips of kenaf by mixing the chips with water in a crushing device; and a third process of boiling the crushed chips with water, so that fibers of kenaf are separated into make the kenaf pulp. Accordingly, the kenaf pulp can be formed without chemical processing.

Abstract: Recycled paper pulp having at least two different types of paper which consume widely different amounts of bleaching chemical, or mixed hardwood and soft-wood pulps, are treated in a manner that enhances distribution and redistribution of bleaching chemical to enhance uniformity of the bleaching treatment. The pulp is intensely mixed to provide a homogenous mixture of fibrous material and bleaching chemical, and then is continuously or intermittently subjected to mechanical action (such as in low intensity mixers, or by agitating pulp in a retention tank) of sufficient intensity and duration so as to enhance distribution and redistribution of a bleaching chemical. Also, recycled pulp will have cleanliness which varies significantly over time, and this is accommodated by sensing at least one of the brightness, color, or lignin content (e.g.

Abstract: A fibrous, porous web material of the non-heat seal tissue having a basis weight of 9-18 gm-2 and comprises a first layer and a second layer juxtaposed thereto wherein the second layer. The first layer comprising vegetable fibers and a second layer comprising hardwood fibers, the second layer has a smaller pore size than the first layer. The paper is useful for producing beverage infusion bags (e.g. teabags) from which there is minimal passage of fine particles from the bags into their packaging.

Abstract: A method of creating a number of separate product streams from an agricultural waste material, comprising: providing a starting material consisting of an agricultural waste material; hydrolyzing the starting material with an acid solution at atmospheric pressure, and temperatures not exceeding about 100.degree. C., to create an absorbent, hydrolyzed solid residue and a xylose-containing liquor; reserving the xylose-containing liquor; and delignifying the hydrolyzed solid residue with a basic solution, to create a fiber solid residue suitable for use as an absorbent material, and a dissolved lignin-containing solution.

Abstract: Paper that has minute pores, denseness, a high degree of airtightness and is made from cellulose which has superior heat and chemical resistance and is reproducible natural resources. Further, a non-aqueous battery which is improved to a higher level with regards to various characteristics, e.g., heat resistance, electrical characteristics such as ion transmissivity or liquid-holding characteristics, or prevention of an internal short circuit, through use of, as a separator for electronically separating a positively active substance from a negatively active substance, a novel porous highly-airtightened separator which is made from cellulose and has pores and denseness. The separator is manufactured from highly-airtightened porous paper having minute pores made by forming wet paper web from minute cellulose having a fiber diameter of 1 .mu.m or less, and drying the wet paper web while voids in the wet paper web are maintained. The separator is used in a non-aqueous battery or electrolytic capacitor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of detecting a radar target, especially a sea target, in the presence of clutter caused by ocean waves in particular. To detect a radar target within a predeterminable region, first a measurement window corresponding to this region is formed in the video range of the radar system, and a frequency distribution is determined for all pulse-height values (amplitudes) within the measurement window. The average value and the standard deviation can be determined from the distribution; from these values, a hit-recognition threshold is determined and used to decide whether a pulse-height value is to be associated with a radar target to be detected.

Abstract: A method for producing paper pulp containing fibers of annual plants or of secondary raw materials produced therefrom, whereby fiber materials are shortened to a length which permits production of a homogeneous, pumpable suspension of the shortened fiber materials. The fiber materials are subsequently bleached and processed into a homogeneous paper pulp.

Abstract: Treatment of gelatinous bacterial cellulose by breaking up gelatinous cellulose into a micro-fiber form and then evaporating water from the result with application of heat. The evaporation can be achieved by heating to a temperature above 100 degrees Centigrade and is continued for a sufficient time to be effective as the sole reason for evaporation of the moisture.

Abstract: A process for converting tropical materials into fibers useful in paper-making, textiles, insulation, general fiber filler and the absorption of liquids. The tropical materials utilized in the process include, banana, plantain or cavendish plant stalks, pineapple crowns, coconut, palm or palmetto fronds, or the pinzote of palm. The process includes the steps of: reducing the raw fibrous plant materials to separated fibers by cutting, shredding or grinding; washing the separated fibers in a mild alum solution to extract latex and natural resinous substances; pressing the fibers to remove a high percentage of excess water and residual latex and natural resinous substances with the consumption of a minimum amount of energy; and drying the fibers to less than 10% by weight water content.

Abstract: Nonwoven material produced by hydroentanglement of a wet-laid or foam-formed fibre web. The material comprises a mixture of short plant fibres, in particular pulp fibres, and long hydrophillic plant fibres, where the major portion of the fibres presents a fibre length which is at least 10 mm, whereby the portion of long fibres is at least 1 weight-% of the fibre weight. The fibres were mixed with each other in the presence of a dispersing agent which allows a uniform fibre formation, in a wet-laid or foam-formed fibre web which has been hydroentangled with sufficient energy to form a compact absorbing material.

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: Disclosed is a process for treating cellulosic fibers using an alkali metal hydroxide. The process first prepares the cellulosic fibers as a high consistency mixture with water and then adds an alkali metal hydroxide. The high consistency process is quite efficient and has been found to produce cellulosic fibers that are essentially uniformly treated. Also disclosed is a handsheet prepared from the treated cellulosic fibers for use is disposable absorbent products.

Abstract: A process is dislcosed for recovering chips and fibers from residues of ter-derived materials, old pieces of furniture, production residues, water and other timber-containing materials glued with urea-formaldehyde binders or other binders capable of being hydrolysed or chemically disintegrated by disintegrating the timber-derived materials at a high temperature. In a first step of the process, the residues of timber-derived materials are impregnated with an impregnating solution and previously swollen until they have absorbed at least 50% of their own weight of impregnating solution. In a second step, the thus impregnated residues of timber-derived materials are heated up to 80.degree. C. to 120.degree. C. The thus disintegrated residues of timber-derived materials are then sorted by sieving and/or wind screening. The residues of timber-derived material have edges of at least 10 to 20 cm length.

Abstract: A woody or non-woody biomass is delignified through continuous extrusion technology, utilizing high-pressure steam to break down complex biomass materials. The process is useful to form a hydrophobic fiber material for use as an extrusion filler, a plastics modifier, and in the papermaking arts. Alternatively, the process is useful for preparing dietary feeds for ruminant animals, as well as to produce a broad range of alcohols or polymers from lignocellulosic substrates.

Abstract: A process for the production of a cellulose moulded body, particularly cellulose fibres, characterized by the combination of the measures offeeding a cellulose-containing material into an aqueous solution of a tertiary amine-oxide in order to suspend said cellulose-containing material,removing water from the suspension while intensively mixing it and providing elevated temperature and reduced pressure, until a solution of cellulose is produced andmoulding said solution by means of a moulding device, particularly a spinneret, and introducing it into a precipitation bath in order to precipitate the dissolved cellulose,provided that as said cellulose-containing material, basically shredded waste paper, shredded cellulose-containing fibre assemblies and/or shredded, mechanically and/or chemically broken up annual plants are used.

Abstract: The white rot fungus Scytinostroma galactinum strain F361 and mutants thereof are particularly effective in selectively grading the lignin component of lignin-containing materials, particularly processed wood pulps including chemical pulps, and also particularly effective in degrading lignin degradation products such as chlorinated degraded lignin by-products as found, for example, in E-1 effluents, and also in degrading chlorine-containing aromatic compounds generally as found in aqueous waste streams containing the same.

Abstract: A paper product having increased thickness, absorbency, and softness without altering product strength wherein a fiber blend is provided being up to 50% softwood fibers and up to 100% Hesperaloe funifera fibers.

Abstract: A process for preparing a preferred vegetable fiber product is described. A particular process for reducing off-flavor and off-odor problems in materials such as sugarbeet fiber is specifically described. Also, a preferred system for conducting the process, and preferred products are disclosed. In general, the products result from preferred steps of heating, heat-treating, and washing the vegetable fiber material. Food products incorporating the preferred fiber material, and methods for incorporating the preferred fiber material into food products, are described.

Abstract: An improved process for delignifying and bleaching nonwoody, lignocellulosic material into products digestible by ruminants and ingestible by humans. The process comprises treating the substrate in an alkaline solution for a period of time, separating the wetted substrate from the slurry and then treating the wetted substrate with an alkaline peroxide solution at an initial pH of 8.5 to 11.0 for a period of time, and separating, washing and drying the product.

Abstract: An absorbent material derived from a vegetable material containing pectin.

Abstract: A process for the production of a pulp from bast fibers, which includes reacting a mixture of the bast fibers and an aqueous digestion liquid at a temperature of 60.degree.-130.degree. C. The digestion liquid includes (a) hydrogen peroxide or a compound capable of generating hydrogen peroxide in the presence of water, (b) an alkali metal carbonate, and (c) an oxalate.

Abstract: Highly absorbent, pectin-containing materials from vegetable origin are disclosed. A process for preparing such materials from pectin-containing agricultural by-products is also disclosed.

Abstract: The bioavailability of polysaccharide components of lignocellulosic materials can be increased substantially by treatment with ammonia in a supercritical or near-supercritical fluid state.

Abstract: A method of storing bagasse by piling the bagasse up into a stack on a base structure protected against ground water and having good run-off of surface water. The stack is built up with a substantially horizontal layer structure, wherein each successive layer is piled on only after the preceding layer has completed the phase of most intensive fermentation. The stack is piled up so that it tapers toward the top and forms a ridge, and the top of the stack is covered with a rain-shedding material at the earliest possible time after the top layer has passed its fermentation peak. The rate of fermentation may be controlled by either: (1) de-coring the bagasse before storage; (2) separating the fine material out; (3) slightly pre-drying the bagasse before storage; (4) adding fermentation-controlling or fermentation-inhibiting substances to the bagasse; or (5) providing air ducts in the stack to vent off the moist, damp air.