Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for separating carpet fibers from a backing material to which said fibers are secured. The apparatus includes a belt for driving a carpet strip having one or more backings and one or more fibers secured on a face of said backing into the operative part of the device. There are a pair of rollers that are adapted to receive the carpet strip from said belt, and pass the carpet strip to a dish plate. The dish plate has an edge extending upwardly from the dish plate. The face of the carpet having the fibers contacts the edge after the carpet passes through the rollers. The edge of the blade holds the carpet presenting it to the main drum. The main drum rotates downwards and has a plurality of pins that shred the carpet backing and tear apart and free the face carpet fibers from the backing fibers. The face fibers pass to a receptacle for recycling.

Abstract: A process for making a fibrillated blend of lyocell and cellulose pulp fibers in which a blend of lyocell and cellulose pulp fibers is provided. The lyocell is from 25% to 75% of the total weight of the blend of lyocell and cellulose pulp fibers. The blend is refined in a high shear field device to provide a blend of fibrillated lyocell and pulp fibers having a diameter of 10 to 500 nanometers and a fiber length of 50 to 500 ?m. The high shear field device can be a homogenizer or colloid mill.

Abstract: A beneficiation process and apparatus for the continuous treatment of comminuted woody biomass, particularly hog fuel, to substantially remove mineral impurities and bark and to recover white wood therefrom for use as industrial feedstocks.

Abstract: A system for separating carpet U's from carpet backing is described. The separation method includes a means for transporting a blend of carpet U's and backing material containing at least backing fibers and an adhesive material to a shaker box. The shaker box has at least one opening for receiving the blend. One or more portions of the shaker box have one or more orifices. The shaker box causes the carpet U's to pass through the orifices when the shaker box is activated leaving at least the backing fibers in the shaker box. The U's are passed to a cleaning means where said U's are treated to remove portions of adhesive material present on said U's. The backing fibers are released from said shaker box and transported for further treatment.

Abstract: The current invention is directed to a method and apparatus for defibrillating cellulose fibers achieved through single or multiple passes of raw or pre-processed cellulose fiber slurry with a preferred solid material consistency range of 35% to 55% through twin-screw fiber processing machines. During this processing operation fiber slurries are optionally further enhanced with additional fiber and mineral additives to optimize performance of the material for specific end purposes. The hyper defibrillated fiber slurry produced can be defined as one reaching a Schopper-Riegler (SR) level between 75 SR and 85 SR and/or producing a pressed, dried board with a density of preferably at least 850 kg/m3.

Abstract: A method for the manufacturing of textile products in the form of a yarn, web or tow starting from recycled carbon fibers in the form of tuft, cloth or the like, comprising the steps of: • (a) discontinuous cutting of the fibers to obtain dimensionally homogeneous fibers of selected length; • (b) enzyming of the fibers cut in step (a), wherein the latter are additioned with one or more substances; • (c) blending of the fibers treated in step (b) with auxiliary fibers; • (d) double carding of the blended fibers obtained in said step (c); and • (e) feeding a pair of wicks to a spinning machine.

Abstract: A method of preparing lignocellulosic fiber aggregates from a densified mass of lignocellulosic fiber, such as densified bales, for use in manufacturing high performance, recyclable and moldable lignocellulosic fiber and thermoplastic composites, or articles made of the high performance, recyclable and moldable lignocellulosic fiber and thermoplastic composites is provided. The method includes: (a) feeding densified forms of lignocellulosic fiber into a size reduction device; and size reducing the lignocellulosic fibers so as to produce dense lignocellulosic fiber aggregates having an average size profile suitable for use in manufacturing high performance, recyclable and moldable lignocellulosic fiber and thermoplastic composites, or articles made of the high performance, recyclable and moldable lignocellulosic fiber and thermoplastic composites. The density of the lignocellulosic fiber is generally maintained throughout the method.

Abstract: Fibrous materials, compositions that include fibrous materials, and uses of the fibrous materials and compositions are disclosed. For example, the fibrous materials can be operated on by a microorganism to produce ethanol or a by-product, such as a protein or lignin.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention generally provide processes for recovering and/or using one or more constituent components of carpeting. More specifically, various embodiments provide processes for reclaiming a filler material from carpet as well as processes for using the recovered filler material in subsequent carpet manufacturing processes. The present filler recovery processes can provide recycled filler material, which can be extracted at various stages of processing, and in different purities, depending on the subsequent need or use for the recovered filler material. In some instances, the filler recovery processes described herein can be implemented as sub-processes for recycling other carpet components.

Abstract: A method for cleaning structural material which is to be recycled and is obtained from paper making-machine fabrics, in particular forming fabrics or press fabrics, includes the measures of a) comminution of a papermaking-machine fabric in order to obtain fabric-material particles and detaching particulate contaminating material from the papermaking-machine fabric and/or the fabric-material particles; b) separating the fabric-material particles from the particulate contaminating material; c) during or after execution of measure b), detaching contaminating material which adheres to the surface of the fabric-material particles obtained during measure b) by frictional cleaning; and d) during or after execution of measure c), separating the fabric-material particles from the contaminating material which is detached from the surface of the fabric-material particles.

Abstract: A process for separating carpet fibers from carpet backing uses a grinder of the type having a rotor with a plurality of vertically spaced cutter discs and a fan disc below the cutter discs. Sections of carpet are fed into the grinder which grinds the carpet, separating the fibers from the backing and breaking the backing into relatively small particles. The grinder is connected with a series of ginning equipment for removing the ground backing from the fibers.

Abstract: The method for disintegration of materials containing lignocellulose to fibers is characterized in that roller pressure is applied to the material containing lignocellulose in a flat die pellet mill by pinch rollers which can have an offset from the die of several millimeters, said pressure being applicable over a wide area, and the material being in a mixture with fiber-improving agents and moist on the surface, whereby the fiber improving agents, supported by the high moisture in the pore interiors, enter far into the interior of the fiber material and react spontaneously or with a delay, wherein finally the disintegrated and refined material is pressed through the bores of the flat die.

Abstract: A pretreatment apparatus for removing pith from cornstalks and separating husks therefrom includes a casing that receives cornstalks in a free-fall manner through an upper side thereof and allows the corn stalks to be discharged through a lower side thereof, and a rotor inserted into the casing and rotating inside the casing to hit cornstalk chips. The rotor includes a shaft inserted into the casing to be rotated by external force, a cover member holding the shaft so as to allow rotation of the shaft therein and connected to the entirety or part of an open upper side of the casing, and a hitting unit formed on a circumference of the shaft and hitting the corn stalks input into the casing.

Abstract: A process of comminution of wood chips (C) having a grain direction to produce a mixture of wood particles (P), wherein the wood chips are characterized by an average length dimension (LC) as measured substantially parallel to the grain, an average width dimension (WC) as measured normal to LC and aligned cross grain, and an average height dimension (HC) as measured normal to WC and LC, and wherein the comminution process comprises the step of feeding the wood chips in a direction of travel substantially randomly to the grain direction one or more times through a counter rotating pair of intermeshing arrays of cutting discs (D) arrayed axially perpendicular to the direction of wood chip travel.

Abstract: Fibrous materials, compositions that include fibrous materials, and uses of the fibrous materials and compositions are disclosed. For example, the fibrous materials can be operated on by a microorganism to produce ethanol or a by-product, such as a protein or lignin.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for processing biomass, such as in particular green waste containing wood, and a high density pulper having a spiral, wherein the green waste is treated in a continuously operated, bladed pulper and then the separated fibers are ground in a pulper ball mill.

Abstract: An unbonded loosefill insulation system configured to provide blown loosefill insulation material is provided. The system includes a blowing insulation machine configured to condition and distribute loosefill insulation from a package of compressed loosefill insulation. The blowing insulation machine is further configured to have pre-set and fixed operating parameters. An unbonded loosefill insulation material is configured for use with the blowing insulation machine. The pre-set and fixed operating parameters of the blowing insulation machine are tuned to combine with the unbonded loosefill insulation materials to provide blown loosefill insulation material having specific insulative values.

Abstract: Fibrous materials, compositions that include fibrous materials, and uses of the fibrous materials and compositions are disclosed. For example, the fibrous materials can be operated on by a microorganism to produce ethanol or a by-product, such as a protein or lignin.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for separating carpet fibers from a backing material to which said fibers are secured. The apparatus includes a belt for driving a carpet strip having one or more backings and one or more fibers secured on a face of said backing into the operative part of the device. There are a pair of rollers that are adapted to receive the carpet strip from said belt, and pass the carpet strip to a dish plate. The dish plate has an edge extending upwardly from the dish plate. The face of the carpet having the fibers contacts the edge after the carpet passes through the rollers. The edge of the blade holds the carpet presenting it to the main drum. The main drum rotates downwards and has a plurality of pins that shred the carpet backing and tear apart and free the face carpet fibers from the backing fibers. The face fibers pass to a receptacle for recycling.

Abstract: Various embodiments of methods and systems are provided for mining alluvial gold deposits. The methods can comprise collecting feed from alluvium and washing the feed at high pressure. The feed can be separated into a plurality of separate fractions. At least one fraction is transferred to a metal sensor system using a conveyer, wherein when gold is detected in a piece of the fraction, an air blast can be targeted and delivered at the piece, with the air blast diverting the piece to a receiving container.

Abstract: A microfibrillar cellulose substrate having a defined morphology and optimized concentrations of free radicals formed by milling a source material containing alpha cellulose with non-metalic cutting surfaces into a sterilized fine powder with a particle size of approximately 20 to 35 micrometers. A gauze selected from the group consisting of a woven, nonwoven, and extruded netting substrate for supporting the microfibrillar cellulose substrate. The microfibrillar cellulose substrate may be carried between a first layer of the gauze and a second layer of the gauze by affixing the first and second gauze layers closed around their perimeter.

Abstract: A method of mechanically refining lignocellulosic material in a refiner having opposing refiner plates including: introducing the material to an inlet in one of the opposing refiner plates; rotating at least one of the plates with respect to the other plate, wherein the material moves radially outward through a gap between the plates due to centrifugal forces created by the rotation; as the material moves through the gap, passing the material over bars in a refiner zone of a first one the plates, each bar in the refiner zone having a leading face and an upper ridge, wherein the leading face includes a sidewall of the bar facing a direction of rotation of the opposing plate and the leading edge has an interior angle of between 150 degrees to 175 degrees, and discharging the material from the gap at a periphery of the refiner plates.

Abstract: A method for recycling the construction material of paper machine clothing, in particular forming screens and press felts to be used as starting product, includes the steps of a) Classification of a starting product to be recycled at least in regard to the material composition thereof, b) Comminution of the starting product and c) Extrusion of the comminuted starting product.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention generally provide processes for recovering and/or using one or more constituent components of carpeting. More specifically, various embodiments provide processes for reclaiming a filler material from carpet as well as processes for using the recovered filler material in subsequent carpet manufacturing processes. The present filler recovery processes can provide recycled filler material, which can be extracted at various stages of processing, and in different purities, depending on the subsequent need or use for the recovered filler material. In some instances, the filler recovery processes described herein can be implemented as sub-processes for recycling other carpet components.

Abstract: A method of mechanically refining lignocellulosic material in a refiner having opposing refiner plates including: introducing the material to an inlet in one of the opposing refiner plates or array of plate segments; rotating at least one of the plates with respect to the other plate, wherein the material moves radially outward through a gap between the plates due to centrifugal forces created by the rotation; passing the material over bars in a refining section of a first one the plates and through grooves between the bars, wherein the bars each include a sidewall with an irregular surface, and discharging the material from the gap at a periphery of the refiner plates.

Abstract: A rotary forming apparatus is provided. The rotary forming apparatus includes a separator configured to receive a gas flow having entrained fibrous material and further configured to separate the fibrous material from the gas flow. The fibrous material forms mini-blankets having a length along a longitudinal axis. A milling apparatus is positioned adjacent the separator and configured to receive mini-blankets exiting the separator. The milling apparatus is further configured to grind the mini-blankets into fibers having desired lengths. The milling apparatus is configured to grind the mini-blankets along the lengths of the mini-blankets.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for separating carpet fibers from a backing material to which said fibers are secured. The apparatus includes a belt for driving a carpet strip having one or more backings and one or more fibers secured on a face of said backing into the operative part of the device. There are a pair of rollers that are adapted to receive the carpet strip from said belt, and pass the carpet strip to a dish plate. The dish plate has an edge extending upwardly from the dish plate. The face of the carpet having the fibers contacts the edge after the carpet passes through the rollers. The edge of the blade holds the carpet presenting it to the main drum. The main drum rotates downwards and has a plurality of pins that shred the carpet backing and tear apart and free the face carpet fibers from the backing fibers. The face fibers pass to a receptacle for recycling.

Abstract: A refining plate for refining lignocellulosic material including: a radially outer peripheral edge and a substrate surface; a refining zone having a plurality of substantially radially disposed bars and grooves between the bars, wherein the bars protrude upward from the substrate surface and the grooves each have a groove width, and a steam channel traversing the bars and grooves of the refining zone, wherein the steam channel has a radially outer end radially inward of the outer peripheral edge of the plate and the steam channel has a width substantially greater than the groove width.

Abstract: A method of mechanically refining lignocellulosic material in a refiner having opposing refiner plates including: introducing the material to an inlet in one of the opposing refiner plates; rotating at least one of the plates with respect to the other plate, wherein the material moves radially outward through a gap between the plates due to centrifugal forces created by the rotation; as the material moves through the gap, passing the material over bars in a refiner zone of a first one the plates, each bar in the refiner zone having a leading face and an upper ridge, wherein the leading face includes a sidewall of the bar facing a direction of rotation of the opposing plate and the leading edge has an interior angle of between 150 degrees to 175 degrees, and discharging the material from the gap at a periphery of the refiner plates.

Abstract: Fibrous materials and composites are disclosed.

Abstract: An improved method for making compressed structural fiberboard by extruding agricultural fibrous matter into a compressed structural fiberboard. The improved method includes providing a preselected volume of agricultural fibrous matter and preconditioning the agricultural fibrous matter to have a predetermined moisture level. The agricultural fibrous matter is separated and cleaned, and steam is added until a predetermined level of moisture is reached within the agricultural fibrous matter. Borax is also added to the agricultural fibrous matter to prevent the formation of bacteria. The agricultural fibrous matter is conveyed throughout the process on conveyors having variable drives, wherein the level of the agricultural fibrous matter on the conveyors is sensed such that a signal is provided to adjust the speed of the conveyors in order to provide a predetermined level of agricultural fibrous matter. The agricultural fibrous matter is then extruded to form a compressed structural fiberboard.

Abstract: Fibrous materials, compositions that include fibrous materials, and uses of the fibrous materials and compositions are disclosed. For example, the fibrous materials can be operated on by a microorganism to produce ethanol or a by-product, such as a protein or lignin.

Abstract: Methods of making fibrous materials are disclosed that include shearing a fiber source to provide a first fibrous material, and passing the first fibrous material through a first screen. Also, composites are disclosed that includes a fibrous material, a resin and a dye.

Abstract: A method of mechanically refining lignocellulosic material in a refiner having opposing refiner plates including: introducing the material to an inlet in one of the opposing refiner plates or array of plate segments; rotating at least one of the plates with respect to the other plate, wherein the material moves radially outward through a gap between the plates due to centrifugal forces created by the rotation; passing the material over bars in a refining section of a first one the plates and through grooves between the bars, wherein the bars each include a sidewall with an irregular surface, and discharging the material from the gap at a periphery of the refiner plates.

Abstract: A biomass torrefaction system includes a mill which receives a raw biomass feedstock and operates at temperatures above 400 F (204 C) to generate a dusty flue gas which contains a milled biomass product.

Abstract: A method of refining celluosic fiber material between opposing discs in a refiner including: feeding the fiber material to between the discs; rotating at least one of the discs to propel the fiber material radially outward and between the discs; refining the refining material by passing the material through rows of intermeshing teeth on the opposing discs; and deflecting the refining material as the material flows through an outer row of teeth on one of discs, wherein the teeth in the outer row have a leading sidewall angled to deflect pulp material moving radially between the teeth.

Abstract: Disclosed are efficient and cost-effective methods of recovering primary construction materials from whole carpet. The present methods are particularly appropriate for recovering nylon or polyester face fibers from post-industrial, post-consumer carpet waste.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cooling and processing materials are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of producing powder with a high tannin content includes pulverizing a tannin-containing plant such as bark of radiata pine (Pinus radiata) and classifying the pulverized material into fine particles having a desired particle size, for example, fine particles having a particle diameter of 100 to 1,000 ?m or less. A powder with a high tannin content is produced by such a method. The thus obtained powder with a high tannin content exhibits excellent characteristics when used as an adhesive, a binder, etc. for wood materials.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and a device for grinding cellulose, in which a raw cellulose material (6) is uniformly moistened with a given quantity of liquid by means of a moistening unit (1) before being ground in a grinding mill (2). A first conveying mechanism (3) conveys the raw cellulose material (6) to the moistening unit (1) while a second conveying mechanism (4) conveys the moist raw cellulose material on the grinding mill (2).

Abstract: A refiner plate for a mechanical refiner of lignocellulosic material including: a refining surface on a substrate, wherein the refining surface is adapted to face a refining surface of an opposing refiner plate; wherein the refining surface includes bars and grooves between the bars and the bars have at least a radially outer section in which the bars include a leading sidewall having an irregular surface in the outer section.

Abstract: A hammermill for singulating cellulosic fibers from a wet pulp sheet includes a cylindrical housing, a feed slot with a breaker bar positioned therein and a rotor mounted for rotation in the housing. Feed rolls are provided to feed a sheet of pulp into the feed slot upstream of the breaker bar. A plurality of hammers are mounted on the rotor. Air is introduced into the hammermill housing tangentially downstream from the second feed slot. An air outlet is positioned tangentially on the housing downstream from the air inlet to allow air and singulated fibers to escape. A process for producing singulated fibers includes wetting a fiber sheet, milling the fibers in the hammermill, and drying the fibers. The singulated fibers have a low knot content.

Abstract: An apparatus for grinding an organic material into a power includes a first grinding member with a first grinding surface and a second grinding member with a second grinding surface. The first and second grinding members are rotatably positioned adjacent each other for grinding an organic material between the fist and second grinding surfaces. The first and second grinding surfaces include a plurality of radii defining a plurality of sectors. The sectors are provided with rows of teeth parallel to a respective radius.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for fiberizing bales of pulp into substantially dry fibers and fiber aggregates, i.e., dry fluff, and metering the resulting dry fluff to a receptacle or other process, such as an airlaid process for making disposable absorbent articles.

Abstract: A mechanical system that separates bundles of paper and presents the separated paper on a conveyor in a single layer fashion, for further processing. The paper is accumulated in a hopper and fed into the mechanical separating mechanism in a batch mode. When sufficient volume has been admitted to the container, the inflow port is closed and the mechanical separating impeller are activated to rotate in the same direction, imparting bidirectional forces on compacted bundles of sheets or shreds, causing them to deaggregate. Upon completion of the separation cycle, the separated sheets are expelled through an outlet port and conveyed to a drop chute for further singulation, from which the singulated sheets may be deposited onto one or more conveyor belts for sorting.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for separating tenaciously elastic materials such as plastics and rubber from materials tearing and/or defiberizing under high mechanical stress, particularly paper, and to a device for performing said process. The process is characterized in that the mixture of materials to be separated is subjected to high radial, axial and tangential acceleration forces, whereby a mass flow of shredded fibrous material and a mass flow of substantially unshredded plastics is withdrawn separately. The device for performing the process consists of a screen basket which is cylindrical or preferably polygonal in shape and has borings in its jacket to let the defiberized material pass through, a rotatable driving shaft being arranged coaxially inside the screen basket, with blades being attached to said driving shaft, preferably in rigid connection.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for slushing contaminated recovered paper in a slushing device including a rotatable drum having first and second face on axial ends and at least one displacement body having an outside wall curved at least in sections located inside drum and held from outside of the drum to form processing channel between at least curved section of outside wall of displacement body and at least a part of an inside wall of drum to mechanically process the recovered paper. Process includes feeding recovered paper with impurities into drum on first face, moving recovered paper and impurities within drum from first to second face, and transporting recovered paper and impurities out of drum at second face together via a rotating coil. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: A juniper harvesting system and method including an array of select vehicles particularly adapted for the cutting, chipping and collecting of vegetation at a single location and transporting the collected vegetation to another site. The vegetation may be juniper, and its subsequent use being the generation of power. Conventional and customized logging equipment is provided in a system for the aforesaid cutting, chipping, and collecting of large volumes of biomass fuel chips from juniper in an economically viable and environmentally acceptable fashion.

Abstract: A process and product of making a tissue product is provided. For example, the method can comprise (a) providing a first papermaking furnish containing refined softwood fibers; (b) providing a second papermaking furnish containing hardwood fibers; (c) incorporating the first and second papermaking furnishes into a tissue web such that the tissue web has a hardwood layer and a softwood layer; (d) contacting the tissue web with a drying surface so that the hardwood layer is disposed adjacent thereto; and (e) removing the tissue web from the drying surface with a creping blade at a creping pocket angle of less than about 82 degrees.

Abstract: A method of processing recycled waste paper includes pulping waste paper in a first drum pulper. White fibers are separated from the waste paper in a first screen drum. The white fibers are then processed by screening, cleaning, deinking and bleaching. The remaining waste paper is pulped within a second drum pulper. The brown fibers are separated from the waste paper in a second screen drum. The brown fibers are processed by screening, cleaning and bleaching.