Abstract: A refiner includes two or more facing refining assemblies. Each refining assembly includes a backing structure and refiner plate segments engaged to the backing structure A series of alternating bars and grooves defines a refining surface on each refiner plate segment. The refiner plate segments of the first refining assembly have a terminal edge perimeter defined by two or more terminal edges of bars disposed closest to the outer arc of the substrate of the first refining assembly. The refiner plate segments of the second refining assembly have an outermost edge circumference defined by an outermost terminal edge of a bar disposed closest to the outer arc of the substrate of the second refining assembly facing the first refining assembly. The terminal edge perimeter of the first refining assembly is not parallel to the outermost edge circumference of the second refining assembly.

Abstract: A waste processing machine for reducing material and having a feed assist system. A cutting assembly on a frame reduces material. A feed system on the frame directs material toward the cutting assembly. A winch assembly includes a line with a line end for securing material, and a driver on the frame to urge the line end toward the driver. A keeper fixed to the frame secures the line end. A sensor detects utilization between: a docked configuration with the line tensioned against between the driver and the keeper; and an undocked configuration with the line loosened. A control unit allows operation of the feed system in the docked configuration, and interrupts the feed system in the undocked configuration. A feed mechanism actuation bypasses the interrupted operation to advance material for a bypass period, and a limit mechanism overrides operation of the feed mechanism for a subsequent limit period.

Abstract: Provided is a crusher capable of omitting a device for feeding a pulp sheet from outside into inside of a casing or suppressing a driving force of this device to be small and an absorber-manufacturing device provided with the same. A pulp sheet (P) is guided to a contact position (m) where the pulp sheet (P) and crushing edges (9b) of a cutter (9) come into contact from a position upstream of a virtual line (L3) orthogonal to a tangent line (L2) of a rotational path (R1) of the crushing edges (9b) at the contact position (m) and passing through the contact position (m) in a rotational direction (Y2) by a guiding section (5a) provided in a casing (5) and configured to guide the pulp sheet (P) from outside into inside of the casing (5).

Abstract: A wood chipper includes a frame, an infeed system, a rotatable cutting system, and at least one feed wheel disposed between the infeed system and the cutting system to feed wood material to the cutting system. The wood chipper also includes a winch which includes a winch line having a first end, and a collar disposed adjacent the first end of the winch line. The wood chipper further includes a detector adapted to detect a first and a second position of the winch line, wherein the detector is adapted to allow operation of the at least one feed wheel and prohibit operation of the winch when the first position of the winch line is detected, and to allow operation of the winch and allow operation of the at least one feed wheel in a predefined manner when the second position is detected.

Abstract: Methods for increasing the extractable rubber content of non-Hevea plant matter that entail the use of particular forms of hammer milling and/or roller milling in an increase in the amount of rubber that can be extracted from the resulting plant matter such as by organic solvent extraction or aqueous extraction are provided. In certain embodiments, the methods are for increasing the extractable rubber content of guayule plant matter, and entail the use of particular forms of hammer milling in combination with roller milling and flaking to increase the amount of rubber that can be extracted from the guayule plant matter such as by organic solvent extraction or aqueous extraction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for dissolving compressed blocks of loose-fill cellulose thermal insulation material. The device comprises a support surface for the compressed blocks of insulation and a cylinder with protruding members arranged on the cylinder mantel surface. Said cylinder is rotatable around a substantially horizontal axis in order to process and dissolve the compressed blocks of insulation between the protruding members and a processing zone arranged by an edge of said support surface. The invention is characterized in that said protruding members arranged on the cylinder mantel surface are elongated protrusions extending substantially parallel to the horizontal axis. The invention is further characterized in that the cylinder is arranged to rotate inside of an arc-shaped surface partly covering the cylinder mantel surface and prolonging the milling zone in a peripheral direction of the cylinder.

Abstract: A process of comminution of corn stover having a grain direction to produce a mixture of corn stover, by feeding the corn stover 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 corn stover travel.

Abstract: A bale processor with a bale processing bin that has a bale cutter therein and an engagement section on the bale cutter for supporting part of a bale. A conveyor section supports another part of the bale. The bale processor has a load sensor that senses the load, or something that is a function of the load, on the bale cutter and a controller controls feeding of the bale to the bale cutter and/or the position of the engagement section, based on the function of the load on the cutter.

Abstract: It has been discovered that Red Osier Dogwood can be fed to domesticated animals such as livestock as part of a feeding regimen in place of silage. Surprisingly, the Red Osier Dogwood results in increased growth compared to a control fed a regular diet. Experiments have shown that the Red Osier Dogwood is rich in antioxidants such as rutin, gallic acid, ellagic acid, quercetin and tyrosol. Also described herein are methods of preparing extracts from Red Osier Dogwood comprising high levels of these antioxidants, which can be used in the preparation of medicaments for the administration to animals, including humans.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for shredding sheet-shaped material, preferably for shredding stacked sheets of paper. In addition, the invention relates to a device for performing said method. According to the method according to the invention, a stack of paper is placed onto a support, the sheets are grasped individually from the stack and, whilst realizing a sheet loop, are guided one after another through a through-opening in the support to a cutting system, and are shredded in the cutting system, wherein, when the loops are formed, the sheets are merely deformed elastically and consequently reversibly such that by realizing a free end each sheet loop is opened again before it reaches the cutting system, and is cut up, unfolded, into regular particles over its entire length.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a comminuting device and method for comminuting material such as green waste, waste wood and/or demolition wood. The comminuting device comprises: —a comminutor (12) for comminuting supplied material; an infeed conveyor (10) operatively connected during use to the comminutor for supplying material to the comminutor; —an outfeed conveyor (14) operatively connected during use to the comminutor; a gripper (40) operatively connected during use to the comminutor for filling the infeed conveyor; and operating means operatively connectable to the comminutor.

Abstract: A biomass hydrothermal decomposition apparatus includes, a biomass feeder (31) that feeds biomass material (11) under normal pressure to under increased pressure, a hydrothermal decomposition device (42A) that allows the fed biomass material (11) to be gradually moved inside a device main body (42A) from either end thereof in a consolidated condition, and also allows hot compressed water (15) to be fed from an other end of a feed section for the biomass material into the main body (42A), so as to cause the biomass material (11) and the hot compressed water (15) to countercurrently contact with each other and undergo hydrothermal decomposition, and that elutes a lignin component and a hemicellulose component into the hot compressed water, so as to separate the lignin component and the hemicellulose component from the biomass material (11); and a biomass discharger (51) that discharges, from the side where the hot compressed water is fed into the device main body, a biomass solid residue (17) under increased pr

Abstract: In a method for manufacturing fibril cellulose, cellulose based fibre raw material is processed mechanically in a refining gap for separating fibrils. The fibres to be refined are subjected to the action of a surface roughness Ra provided by grits elevated from a refining surface delimiting the refining gap, said surface roughness being lower than 3 ?m, advantageously lower than 2 ?m. The refining surface is formed by spraying grits and binder onto a substrate.

Abstract: Described herein is nanocellulose produced by introducing a mixture of cellulose based fiber raw material and water through a refining gap, having a width smaller than 0.1 mm. In the refining gap, the fiber raw material is subjected to processing forces varying in the direction of introducing said mixture, by means of refining zones provided in the gap one after each other in the feeding direction, whereby the refining surfaces differ in surface patterning and/or surface roughness. The mixture of fiber raw material and water is guided past the refining surfaces in the feeding direction to different locations in the refining zone by by-pass channels provided in the stator. The width of the refining gap is maintained by the combined effect of the feeding pressure of the mixture of fiber raw material and water fed into the refining gap and the axial force of the rotor.

Abstract: A process for producing a water-absorbent high-porosity fibrous matrix from lignocellulosic raw materials, comprising wet mechanical processing of the raw material, drying, and then dry mechanical processing the fibers to provide a fibrous matrix is provided. The high-porosity fibrous matrix and absorbent articles prepared therefrom are also provided.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide technology for regenerating pulp having high quality with compact pulp regenerating equipment and less energy. In the pulp regenerating method of the present invention, pulp slurry containing 1.5 wt % or more of a solid component including waste paper pulp is separated into a long fiber fraction and a short fiber fraction by using an outward type slit screen including an opening portion having a slit width in the range of 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm. The solid component ratio of the long fiber fraction and the short fiber fraction is in the range from 10:90 to 60:40, and the difference in Canadian Standard Freeness of the long fiber fraction and the short fiber fraction is in the range of 100 ml to 300 ml.

Abstract: A method for producing micro fibrillated cellulosic material from pulp where multiple passes through a medium consistency refiner are made either singularly or in combination with low consistency refiners and high consistency refiners.

Abstract: A process is provided for making a fluff pulp sheet, comprising: contacting at least one cationic dye and at least one debonder surfactant with a composition comprising fluff pulp fibers, to form a fluff pulp mixture; forming a web from the fluff pulp mixture; and drying the web, to obtain the fluff pulp sheet. A fluff pulp sheet is also provided, comprising a web comprising fluff pulp fibers; at least one cationic dye; and at least one debonder surfactant. Products and uses of the fluff pulp sheet are also provided.

Abstract: A process of comminution of corn stover having a grain direction to produce a mixture of corn stover, by feeding the corn stover 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 corn stover travel.

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally related to an apparatus having cutter elements for destroying articles such as paper sheets and a mechanism for separating at least a sheet from a stack in a tray. The separation mechanism can be activated by rotation of the cutter elements. In one embodiment, the separation mechanism is provided in the form of a helical mechanism, such as a coil, configured for insertion into the stack and to receive separated sheets from the stack in between its spaces as it is rotated. The separated sheets can fall via gravity into the shredder mechanism. Optionally, a paper feed mechanism can feed separated paper to the cutter elements. The tray can include an edge to assist in directing separated paper towards the cutter elements. One or more staple picking support mechanisms can also be provided to assist in separating sheets from a stapled set of pages.

Abstract: A pivotable winch assembly for a wood chipper includes an attachment bracket permanently connected to the wood chipper, a boom pivotably coupled to the attachment bracket by a pivot pin such that pivoting of the boom helps to manipulate and draw material into the wood chipper, a pivot pin to enable the boom to pivot into a plurality of preferred positions with respect to the wood chipper, and a retention pin for securing the boom into the plurality of preferred positions.

Abstract: The present invention relates, to a device for conditioning as granules a composition formulated from organic and mineral raw materials, characterized in that it comprises a rotary tank with a hyperbolic or exponential wall receiving the bulk raw materials in the upper portion, at least one set of blades ensuring the mixing and milling of said materials inside the tank and a helical groove borne by the wall of said tank and ensuring together delivery by centrifugation and guiding of the mixture from the low portion of the tank to its upper portion and gradual agglomeration of said materials in granules, on the one hand and, to a method for conditioning said composition by means of said device, on the other hand.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cellulosic particles, a suspension of cellulosic particles and a process for the production of a suspension of cellulosic particles, whereby the cellulosic material is never dried between the dissolution of the cellulose and the disintegration of the suspended cellulose fibers.

Abstract: A device and method for chopping organic matter includes a chopping device consisting of a handle and a plurality of flat, sharpened blades attached radially around one end of the handle's axis; a chopping board, which acts as a chopping surface and conforms to the inside, bottom shape of a containment vessel; and the containment vessel, which stores, contains, and transports organic matter for chopping and handling. The chopping board is placed on the inside bottom surface of the containment vessel, organic matter is placed into the containment vessel and on top of the chopping board, and the chopping device is placed inside the containment vessel. The chopping device is repeatedly thrust downward, chopping the organic matter between the chopping board and the chopping device. Embodiments of the chopping device and the chopping board may be scaled proportionally to fit predetermined sizes of containment vessels.

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: 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 particle diameter of a raw material to be pulverized can be decreased within a short time period. A vibration mill includes a container having therein a columnar space with a central axis of the columnar space being almost horizontal while the container is held so as to be vibratable in a direction of within a plane that is almost perpendicular to the central axis, a cylindrical medium disposed in the container so as to be vibratable, and a plurality of pulverizing media disposed inside the cylindrical medium so as to be vibratable. The ratio of an inner diameter of the cylindrical medium in contact with the pulverizing medium to an outer diameter of the pulverizing medium is 2.1 or more. The integrated value of volumes of the pulverizing media relative to a space volume inside the cylindrical medium in contact with the pulverizing medium is more than 25%.

Abstract: A safety device for a waste processing system having a powered cutting system comprising a rotor rotatably mounted within a housing is disclosed wherein the improvement relates to a safety device which comprises a first safety device disposed within the housing, spaced from the rotor and thereby defining a first gap therebetween through which a cable that has been captured by the rotor assembly is automatically cleaved when disposed between the first safety device and the rotor assembly.

Abstract: A refining system and process using a specially designed stator refiner plate that includes a major refining surface comprising a series of bars and grooves, the bars include a leading surface that comprises an irregular surface hosting a series of protrusions extending along the bar, and a trailing surface that is relatively smooth compared to the leading surface that lacks an irregular surface.

Abstract: A method of treating tough inorganic fiber bundles including opening a plurality of the tough inorganic fiber bundles such that tough inorganic fibers can be dispersed in a liquid slurry to lay down a homogenous fiber aggregate, wherein the tough inorganic fibers have a crush settle volume of greater than 250 ml, optionally greater than 450 ml. Also, a method of treating tough inorganic fiber bundles including dispersing a plurality of the tough inorganic fiber bundles in a slurry with a dilution of about 0.1% to about 2%, optionally about 0.1% to about 1%, effective to lay down a homogenous fiber aggregate, wherein the tough inorganic fibers have a crush settle volume of greater than 250 ml, optionally greater than 450 ml.

Abstract: Refiner plate segments and refiner plates having fully dammed or partially dammed grooves on a major surface that may control flow behavior of lignocellulosic materials passing between refining plates in a refiner. The dammed grooves form groove segments, and each groove segment has a length of no more than about 30 mm or a subrange thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally related to an apparatus having cutter elements for destroying articles such as paper sheets and a mechanism for separating at least a sheet from a stack in a tray. A paper feed mechanism feeds paper that is separated from the stack by a stack separation mechanism to the cutter elements. The feed and separation mechanisms can be activated by rotation of the cutter elements. In one embodiment, the stack separation mechanism moves in an alternating manner between retracted and extended positions to disengage and engage and insert the stack to separate (with its edge) paper therefrom to feed to the feed mechanism for shredding. The paper stack separation mechanism can move in an non-undulating manner relative to the stack. A device for stripping stapled pages, a pivotable support plate, and pressure plate can also be used, as well as a number of sensors.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a refining disc or a segment thereof, comprising a base composed of a cast iron and teeth composed of a metal carbide composite, which teeth protrude from the base, wherein the teeth are partially embedded in the base. A disc refiner comprising a first and a second disc composed of such discs or segments, said first and second discs being arranged such that the teeth of the first disc face the teeth of the second disc as well as a method of disintegrating a material using such as disc refiner are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a document shredder (1), comprising a cutting unit (4), a motor (3) for driving the cutting unit (4), and a motor control system (2). The document shredder (1) additionally has a path measuring device (13), wherein the motor control system (2), by means of the path measuring device (13), determines the length of the already shredded portion of the document to be shredded, and the motor control system (2) controls the motor (3) in dependence on the measured length of the already shredded portion of the document to be shredded.

Abstract: The present invention provides an inbred corn line designated ID3517, methods for producing a corn plant by crossing plants of the inbred line ID3517 with plants of another corn plant. The invention further encompasses all parts of inbred corn line ID3517, including culturable cells. Additionally provided herein are methods for introducing transgenes into inbred corn line ID3517, and plants produced according to these methods.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention relate to surface enhanced pulp fibers, various products incorporating surface enhanced pulp fibers, and methods and systems for producing surface enhanced pulp fibers. Various embodiments of surface enhanced pulp fibers have significantly increased surface areas compared to conventional refined fibers while advantageously minimizing reductions in length following refinement. The surface enhanced pulp fibers can be incorporated into a number of products that might benefit from such properties including, for example, paper products, paperboard products, fiber cement boards, fiber reinforced plastics, fluff pulps, hydrogels, cellulose acetate products, and carboxymethyl cellulose products. In some embodiments, a plurality of surface enhanced pulp fibers have a length weighted average fiber length of at least about 0.

Abstract: A vegetable blending and cutting device includes a motorized unit, a food container having a discharging outlet, and a blade assembly supported within a bottom portion of the food container at a position above a bottom wall thereof to define a shredding area within the food container and to communicate with the discharging outlet, wherein the blade assembly is arranged for shredding the vegetables disposed within the shredding area that after the vegetables are shredded within the shredding area, the shredded vegetables are discharged out of the food container through the discharging outlet for controllably adjusting a shredding time of the shredded vegetables being stayed at the shredding area so as to control the shredded vegetable in a controllable delicate size manner.

Abstract: A process is provided for making a fluff pulp sheet, comprising contacting at least one cationic trivalent metal, salt thereof, or combination thereof with a composition comprising fluff pulp fibers and water at a first pH, to form a first mixture; contacting at least one debonder surfactant with the first mixture and raising the pH to a second pH, which is higher than the first pH, to form a fluff pulp mixture; forming a web from the fluff pulp mixture; and drying the web, to make the fluff pulp sheet. A fluff pulp sheet is also provided, comprising a web comprising fluff pulp fibers; at least one cationic trivalent metal, salt thereof, or combination thereof; at least one debonder surfactant; and a fiberization energy of <145 kJ/kg. Products and uses of the fluff pulp sheet are also provided.

Abstract: A wood chipper comprises a frame, an infeed system, a rotatable cutting system, and at least one feed wheel disposed between the infeed system and the cutting system to feed wood material to the cutting system. The wood chipper also includes a winch comprising a winch line having a first end, and a collar disposed adjacent the first end of the winch line. The wood chipper further includes a detector adapted to detect a first and a second position of the winch line, wherein the detector is adapted to allow operation of the at least one feed wheel and prohibit operation of the winch when the first position of the winch line is detected, and to allow operation of the winch and allow operation of the at least one feed wheel in a predefined manner when the second position is detected. The wood chipper further comprises a bypass for operation of the at least one feed wheel.

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, wherein WC>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 through a counter rotating pair of intermeshing arrays of cutting discs (D) arrayed axially perpendicular to the direction of wood chip travel, wherein the cutting discs have a uniform thickness (TD), and wherein at least one of LC, WC, and HC is less than TD.

Abstract: A set of plate segments for refining comminuted cellulosic material including: a first plate segment and a second plate segment, wherein the first plate segment and the second plate segment each have a refining side configured to oppose the refining side on the other segment, and each of said refining sides includes a refining zone having bars and grooves between adjacent ones of the bars, wherein distance between the grooves in the first plate segment and the grooves in the second plate segment is substantially constant along an arc through the refining zone while the set is mounted to discs in a refiner.

Abstract: A method has been developed that estimates from the on line measurements of readily available process variables the proportion of the mass of fiber in the refining zone of a chip refiner relative to the mass with a full refining zone. This estimate of the filling factor is used to determine the margin available to load the refiner and the control action needed to avoid abnormal operation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to plant cells and plants, which are genetically modified, whereby the genetic modification leads to an increase in the activity of a starch-phosphorylating OK1 protein in comparison to the corresponding wild type plant cells or wild type plants that have not been genetically modified. In addition, the present invention concerns means and methods for the manufacture of such plant cells and plants. These types of plant cells and plants synthesise a modified starch. Therefore, the present invention also concerns the starches synthesised from the plant cells and plants according to the invention, methods for manufacturing these starches, and the manufacture of starch derivatives of these modified starches, as well as flours containing starches according to the invention. Furthermore, the present invention also relates to nucleic acids, coding starch-phosphorylating OK1 proteins, vectors, host cells, plant cells, and plants containing such nucleic acid molecules.

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: Various embodiments of the present invention refer to a new process for transforming Lithothamnium seaweeds and obtaining a marine mineral concentrate made from Lithothamnium seaweed having superior and differentiated properties and activities.

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: The invention relates to a comminuting device (1) for comminuting vegetable material (8, 18). The comminuting device has a frame (2) which can be coupled to a vehicle (4) by means of a coupling element (20), a rotor (5) which is rotatably suspended in the frame (2) and provided with treatment elements (6), and a stator (7) which is attached to the frame (2) and provided with counter elements (13). In an operating position, this stator (7) is situated near a part of the circumference of the rotor (5) so as to leave clear another part of the circumference of the rotor (5) to which organic material (8) to be comminuted can be supplied. The vegetable material (8) is comminuted by rotating the treatment elements (6) and the counter elements (13) with respect to one another. The invention also relates to methods for comminuting vegetable material (8, 18) which is aboveground and/or belowground.

Abstract: Provided is a tea leaves for extraction of a low-caffeine green tea beverage, which is not susceptible to folding or browning during storage, and which enables the extraction of a green tea beverage which can be enjoyed hot or cold. Specifically provided is a tea leaves for extraction of a green tea beverage having a caffeine content with respect to the total mass of the dried leaves that falls within the range of 0.2 to 2.5 mass %, and the relation between the ratio of the mass content of theanine to the entire mass of dried leaves X (%) and the mass ratio of the content of monosaccharides to the fiber content Y satisfies the following condition: ?0.007X+0.024?Y??0.011X+0.039.

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.