Abstract: The invention relates to a process for beating pulps between two beating surfaces. In particular, the invention includes the differential speed of the beating surfaces being in the region of −5 m/s and +12 m/s, where it is an advantage if the differential speed is virtually zero. The invention also relates to a device for implementing the process. The device may include rolls, which are provided as beating elements.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and an equipment for combining in one single apparatus, the functions for filtering, decontaminating, and thickening paper pulp from used paper, while providing the complementary function of clarifying the filtrates. The apparatus (1) rotates at high speed. The paper pulp is introduced through the center of the apparatus (2) and driven at its angular speed. The pulp is then brought along a grate (6) with small size holes for separating the fibers from the greater part of the water. The thickened pulp is evacuated through extraction nozzles (8). The water is clarified in the clarification zone (12) and recycled or eliminated depending on uses. More complete embodiments of the apparatus include the functions of fractionating, de-inking and purifying the pulp with slots or holes.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating milling products comprises a housing (1), a rotor (2) rotatably arranged in said housing (1) and having at least one pocket (8) for receiving steam-containing milling products which is to the processed, an inlet (6) in the housing (1) for steam-containing milling products for passing on to the pocket (8) and an outlet (12) in the housing (1) for milling products to a steam proof discharge device, said pocket (8) being at least partly open radially outwards, and an outlet in the housing (1) for steam. The rotor pocket (8) is provided with a radially inwards facing opening for steam (14), which can be connected with a steam outlet (15, 16, 17, 18) of the housing (1) at least once per revolution during the rotation of the rotor (2). The invention also relates to a method for treating milling products.

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 method for the preparation of fiber stock for the production of paper or cardboard, including the steps of:

Abstract: A fiber suspension is produced from waste paper by first filling a pulper with a batch of the waste paper. The pulper is operated to partly defibrate the batch of waste paper substantially without disintegrating coarse imputities into finer impurities. The partly defibrated batch of waste paper is separated into a coarse reject fraction and an initial fiber suspension containing some waste paper fragments and fine impurities. The initial fiber suspension is pumped through a rotary screen apparatus provided with a tubulat fine screen and a pulper type impeller rotating coaxial with the tubular screen, but devoid of any impeller co-operant extraction plate, to defibrate waste paper fragments remaining in the initial fiber suspension and to separate the initial fiber suspension by means of the tubular fine screen into a fine reject fraction containing fine inpurities and a complete fiber suspension substantially free from impurities.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an adjustable feeding and striking ramp which permits for adjusting an angular disposition of feed material fed to an impacting radial pathway of shearing teeth carried by a rotor. By adjusting the feeding and striking ramp to a predetermined striking position, fragmenting efficacy may be significantly enhanced while also substantially reducing fouling.

Abstract: A method for recovery of branch knot wood and/or normal wood from oversize chips in which the oversize chips are ground to splinter, which then is dried and mixed with water, and then the sedimented splinter containing high concentrations of extractive substances and having a high specific weight is recovered and extracted in order to recover valuable extractive substances, particularly lignans. The lighter splinter floating up to the water surface is recovered in order to recover normal wood material for the pulp production.

Abstract: A method for stabilizing material physical properties of recyclable bumpers including the steps of: separating coating from raw material obtained by cleaning, fracturing and drying recyclable bumpers to form a recycled matrix; mixing an additive with the recycled matrix; melting and extruding the mixed matrix with an extrusion machine; cutting the molten and extruded matrix to produce pellets; introducing the pellets into a tank of a predetermined capacity; and mixing the pellets in the tank for a predetermined period of time while again delivering the pellets in the tank to an introduction opening of the tank for reintroduction into the tank in parallel with the pellets that are to be newly introduced.

Abstract: A device and method are provided for pre-disintegrating and cutting fibrous plants to staple length for the separation of fibres and woody parts with the goals to accelerate drying, if applied during harvesting, but mainly to facilitate separation of woody parts before the main fiber recovery machine in order to increase useful performance of same. The device includes a cutting rotor, a supply devoce, cutting blades, and one or more impact or snapping tools. In some fields of application, for example, pulp and paper manufacture or manufacture of insulating material, the degree of pre-disintegration or pre-decortication attained with the device and process, is sufficient so that a further decortication can be dispensed thus improving efficiency.

Abstract: Methods for forming an absorbent fibrous composite containing absorbent material dispersed in bands through the composite and along the composite's length are disclosed. The methods generally include depositing a fibrous slurry on a foraminous support to form a web and depositing or injecting absorbent material into the web across its width to provide a web having absorbent material in bands along the composite's length. Drying the web provides a fluted absorbent composite. In one embodiment, the method is a wetlaid method and in another embodiment, the method is a foam-forming method. Preferably, the methods are twin-wire forming methods.

Abstract: A method of feeding a wood batch into a pressure grinder, the method comprising first collecting the wood batch to be fed into the grinder into a separate batch chamber above a side feeding chamber, from which the wood batch is lowered vertically by means of a separate supporting plate to the side feeding chamber. Thereafter, the wood batch is transferred from the side feeding chamber into the feeding chamber. An arrangement for feeding a wood batch into a pressure grinder comprises a batch chamber above a side feeding chamber and in which the wood batch to be fed into the pressure grinder is formed before it is lowered into the side feeding chamber.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing powder with a high tannin content, the method including 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 &mgr;m or less, and powder with a high tannin content produced by such a method.

Abstract: Process for the disintegration and cleaning of contaminant-containing raw paper stocks. The process includes producing a contaminant-containing suspension, feeding the contaminant-containing suspension to a closed coarse screen, drawing of a cleaned flow fraction from the closed coarse screen, and drawing off an overflow fraction containing an increased amount of contaminants from the coarse screen during at least about 80% of an operating time. The process also includes adjusting a volumetric mass flow of the overflow fraction to at least about 15% and maximally about 50% of a volumetric mass flow of an inflow into the coarse screen, and feeding the overflow fraction to a screening device, in which contaminants collected are sluiced out discontinuously as a further overflow fraction, thereby forming a further cleaned flow fraction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to variant EGIII cellulases that have improved stability and/or performance. The variant cellulases have replacements at sensitive residues to improve stability and/or performance.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for separating outer birch bark from inner birch bark. The invention also provides methods for isolating betulin; lupeol; betulinic acid; 9,10-epoxy-18-hydroxyoctadecanoic acid; 9,10,18-trihydroxyoctadecanoic acid; polyphenolic polymers and fatty acids from birch bark.

Abstract: A food ingredient grinding assembly (10) with a removable ingredient hopper (32, 34) made of translucent material to enable viewing the ingredient within the hopper through a window opening (40, 42) and carries a closure assembly (FIGS. 4A and 4B) that automatically closes an outlet opening (112) when the hopper is removed from the housing (12) and when installed is controlled by a solenoid (118) that when energized pushes a plate (116) to align an opening (126) in the plate with the outlet opening (112) of the hopper. When the solenoid is not energized or when the hopper is removed, a spring (118) automatically returns the plate to a closed position. Because the closure assembly (114) is carried by the hopper and the solenoid is not attached to the closure assembly by fasteners the hopper may be removed without the use of any tools simply by lifting it out of the housing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel variant EGIII or EGIII-like cellulases that have improved stability. The variant cellulases have performance sensitive residues replaced to a residue having modified stability.

Abstract: A method and apparatus treat fiber based material so as to reduce the loss of mineral fractions in the treatment of broke in paper production. Broke is a reusable raw material from a paper machine that contains mineral fractions which are desirably returned to the process as a raw material. The material containing minerals is dispersed into broke pulp, which is fractionated, and the accepts from the fractionation are returned to the paper manufacturing process providing for efficient and economical recovery of the minerals in broke. The mineral fraction provided in the rejects from the fractionation is treated separately before it is reused as filler or coating material in the production of paper or board.

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 pest control insulation building material from recycled waste paper including one or more chemical additives. The base material is fiberized, and the chemical additives may include: pesticides, disease immune additives (medicines), ammonia dust inhibitors, fire retardants, stabilizers or other additives, depending on the characteristics desired of the final product. At least one of the additives is applied as a liquid.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of preparing a cellulose solution suitable for extrusion as a seamless tubular film by providing a pulp of substantially open-ended fibrillated softwood fibers having a mean fiber length less than 2.0 mm and then dissolving the pulp in a suitable solvent to produce the cellulose solution. In addition, the present invention provides a method of preparing a cellulose food casing from a cellulose solution of the present invention.

Abstract: A pulper in a stock preparation system includes a housing with a fiber inlet, at least one water inlet, at least one outlet and an inner chamber. A plurality of rotatable augers extend into the inner chamber.

Abstract: Paper stock pulper and process for guiding a suspension in paper stock pulper. The stock pulper includes a container having a side wall and front walls adjacent the side wall, and the process includes driving a plurality of rotors to produce a plurality of intake flows directed toward the side wall, deflecting the plurality of intake flows about 90° on the side wall so that the plurality of intake flows flow along at least a part of the side wall, and deflecting, with at least one flow directing device, at least a part of the suspension flowing along the side wall and flowing toward at least one of the front walls or an adjacent rotor from the at least one front wall or the adjacent rotor.

Abstract: A pulper in a stock preparation system includes a housing with a fiber inlet, at least one water inlet, at least one outlet and an inner chamber. A plurality of rotatable augers extend into the inner chamber.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is a method for making mechanical pulp, such as thermomechanical or chemi-thermomechanical stock. The mechanical pulp is utilised as a raw material for printing paper, and its freeness value is 30-70 ml CSF. According to the method, the refined stock is screened in several stages into accept and reject stock portions. The stock is screened at a consistency of not less than 10%.

Abstract: Waste management has been primarily based on collection of waste and placing most of it in a landfill. Waste management by source eliminates a need for large landfills by separating waste into wet organic waste and dry waste and processing said waste for reuse prior to landfill application. Waste management by source integrates collection and transportation of waste with separation, treatment, processing, and recovery using a collection apparatus, one or a combination of hydrotransportation system and a transportation vehicle, a wet organic waste processing plant, and a dry waste processing facility for reuse. Since untreated organic waste is eliminated or significantly reduced from waste stream, present invention eliminates a need for daily cover and working front of landfills resulting in elimination of extensive leachate management systems and associated potential groundwater and air pollution problems.

Abstract: Method is disclosed for treating wood chips including a heater for preheating the wood chips in the presence of steam, a beater to mechanically process the wood chips into wood fibers, a cyclone for separating the wood fibers from steam and volatile organic substances produced in the beater, a blower line for transporting the wood fibers, steam and volatile organic substances from the beater to the inlet of the cyclone, a drying conduit connected to the lower outlet of the cyclone for carrying wood fibers therefrom, a sluice valve associated with the lower outlet of the cyclone for controlling the removal of the wood fibers from the cyclone, and a processing conduit connected to the upper outlet of the cyclone for the steam and the volatile organic substances whereby the volatile organic substances separated in the cyclone can be separated and heat associated with the steam separated in the cyclone can be recovered.

Abstract: A method and a dispersing machine for hot dispersing a highly consistent fibrous stock. The machine includes at least one stationary stator that includes a plurality of annular concentric rows of stator teeth. At least one rotating rotor is provided that includes a plurality of annular concentric rows of rotor teeth. An annular dispersing zone is formed by the stator teeth and the rotor teeth whereby the rotor teeth are adapted to rotate adjacent the stator teeth such that a distance is maintained between the stator teeth and the rotor teeth in the annular dispersion zone. An inlet is provided that allows the fibrous stock to enter the dispersion machine. A milling element is centrally arranged on the rotor. The milling element is arranged near the inlet and defines a milling zone. An annular chamber is arranged between the dispersion zone and the milling zone. At least one conduit allows a heating medium to enter the annular chamber.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a tire comminution apparatus that is of simple construction and that can be operated without excessive maintenance. According to the present invention, a vehicle tire of any size or composition can be comminuted with essentially the same comminution apparatus. The comminution apparatus includes a freely moving lance with a nozzle for transforming a liquid into a high velocity liquid jet. The lance is positioned and controlled such that the liquid jet impacts the tire thereby separating it into its component parts. The comminution apparatus may be computer controlled.

Abstract: A hybrid system for processing papermaking fibers includes a multistage array of forward cleaners coupled with a flotation cell which increases overall efficiency of the system. In a typical embodiment, a first rejects aqueous stream from a first stage bank of centrifugal cleaners is treated in a flotation cell before being fed to a second stage bank of centrifugal cleaners.

Abstract: The invention provides a process and apparatus for the treatment and recovery of fiberboard and particle board waste. Waste fiberboard and particle board is fed into a steam chamber and steam treated with steam under pressure from a steam generator. When the steam treatment is completed any effluent and excess steam are evacuated from the chamber and the steam treated waste is passed through a rotating trommel. Woodfibers and woodchips pass through the screens of the trommel and are collected for drying and further processing. Waste material, such as melamine coatings, passes through the trommel for collection and disposal. The collected woodfiber and woodchips can be processed for reuse in paper, cardboard or particle board manufacture or as mulch and other ground cover material.

Abstract: A pair of refiner members comprises respective refiner bars which cooperate to refine pulp. At least one the refiner bars extends in a spiral pattern for imparting a screw-like pumping action to the pulp. The refiner bars of the cooperating refiner members have different pitch to produce a differential pumping action and increase crossovers between the refiner members in order to improve refining. A sinuous curvature can also be introduced in the spiral pattern to further increase crossovers between the refiner members.

Abstract: In the production of de-inked pulp, measuring devices are used to register spectral and/or physical characteristic values of a starting material. These values are then fed to a neural network, by means of which correction variables are obtained for a regulating or controlling device which in provided. According to the invention, the measuring device is used to evaluate at least the starting materials of the production of pulp and/or paper. The evaluation of the characteristics of the raw material used in the production of pulp and paper is thereby possible.

Abstract: A refining disk is provided for use in various kinds of refining apparatus. The refining apparatus comprises juxtaposed disks with refining surfaces on the opposed faces, one disk rotating relatively to the other disk to work on the material therebetween. A typical refiner is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,049,307; however, the invention is applicable to various types of refiners including single rotating disk refiners and counter-rotating disk machines. Disks normally are cast which results in relatively soft low wear resistance that wear out and must be replaced regularly. The disks of this invention are constructed of the hardest wear resistant materials known including metal carbides.

Abstract: Bamboo fibers are utilized to serve as a reinforcing material and for manufacturing an inorganic molded body. In order to produce the bamboo fibers with excellent durability, in a first step bamboo material is compressed to be roughly crushed and in a second step the roughly crushed bamboo material is fiberized using a grinding machine. The moisture content of the bamboo material subjected to the first step is set to be more than 65%. After the completion of at least one of the first and second steps a drying step is taken so that the moisture content of the bamboo material is adjusted to within the range of 3 to 35%.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for separating outer birch bark from inner birch bark. The invention also provides methods for isolating betulin; lupeol; betulinic acid; 9,10-epoxy-18-hydroxyoctadecanoic acid; 9,10,18trihydroxyoctadecanoic acid; polyphenolic polymers and fatty acids from birch bark.

Abstract: The combination of low residence time (R) with high saturation pre-heat temperature/pressure (T) followed by high speed disc refining (S), is utilized in both primary and secondary refining stages. This use of the RTS process in both primary and secondary refining stages, can be accomplished in one embodiment, where the primary refining is performed in a first disc refiner and the secondary refining is performed in a distinct second disc refiner. In a particularly cost-effective second embodiment the primary and secondary refining are performed within a single refining machine having distinct primary and secondary refining zones which are fluidly connected in series.

Abstract: A method for processing straw pulp that includes caustic treatment is provided. The caustic treated straw pulp can be incorporated into a papermaking furnish to provide a paper product. The caustic treated pulp imparts strength to papers incorporating the pulp.

Abstract: In the mechanical refining of wood chips to produce wood pulp, wood pulp quality is improved by employing low refining intensity at least in a final refining stage; the refining is carried out in a double disc refiner or a single disc refiner at rotational speeds that are lower than those conventionally employed, specifically at less than 1200 RPM in a double disc refiner and at less than 1500 RPM in a single disc refiner.

Abstract: A refiner disc and segment for a rotary disc fiber refiner which has a plurality of radial fields each having an angular extent no greater than 30° and preferably no greater than 22° for reducing the amplitude and duration of load swings that take place during pumping and holdback cycles. Each field has a refining zone with a refiner groove and a refiner bar and a second zone disposed radially outwardly of the refining zone that changes the direction of flow of stock to reduce stock flow momentum and magnitude of the load swings. Each field can have a third zone radially outward of the second zone that further changes the direction of flow of stock and an infeed zone radially inwardly of the refining zone. If desired, a zone that includes a breaker bar can be disposed radially inwardly of the infeed zone. Where the disc is segmented, the segment has at least three fields.

Abstract: A refiner plate for the face of a refiner disc comprising a plurality of refiner segments arranged side-by-side on the face of the disc to form a substantially annular refining region. Each refiner segment has a plurality bars, chicanes and grooves for refining a lignocellulosic material and forming a zig-zag path for receiving and transmitting steam generated during the refining process. The chicanes define a series of substantially arcuate lines extending from a position intermediate the junction of the inlet and refining zones to the outer edge of the refiner plate in the counter-rotation direction.

Abstract: A method and system for producing an animal bedding material from recycled waste paper, and including one or more chemical additives. The base material is fiberized, and the chemical additives may include: pesticides, disease immune additives (medicines), ammonia inhibitors, fire retardants, or other additives, depending on the characteristics desired of the final product. At least one of the additives is applied as a liquid.

Abstract: A method and equipment manufacturing predetermined low bark content wood chips and a high bark content fuel fraction from wood chips with bark attached, includes mechanical bark removal treatment, in which the bark is removed from the chips and their size is reduced; pre-cleaning of the flow of chips with bark attached, into a flow of chips with a bark content of less than 10% and high bark content rejects, with the aid of pneumatic and mechanical sieving; final cleaning of the aforesaid wood chip flow from the pre-cleaning, with the aid of an optical separator, to create low bark content wood chips and a fraction with a higher bark content; collection of the rejects leaving the process, to create the aforementioned high bark content fuel fraction; and seiving out of the flow of wood chips, before the mechanical bark removal process, a predetermined thin fraction of the chips, which bypasses the debarking process.

Abstract: A system for mechanical defibration of wood kneads the wood by moving a defibration surface having contours at least partly in contact with the wood in a direction at a speed in relation to the wood and fibres are separated from the wood. The contours of the defibration surface are at regular intervals in the direction that the speed and the regular intervals determine a cycle time-length that is 1 to 3 times a relaxation time of the wood.

Abstract: An apparatus for improving the pulping characteristics of wood chips. Several chip compressors are used to treat the wood chips in the desired manner.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement for obtaining wood in which the tracheids have less ability to bind to each other. The end surface of the wood is irradiated with pulsed laser light of such strength, and with such a number of pulses, that lignin-related cellulose and hemicellulose bonds break up along the light-conducting middle lamella to a depth which is sufficient to ensure that reduction of the wood (to paper pulp) via mechanical processes can be done more quickly, more gently and with greater efficiency.

Abstract: A method and device for defibrating fiber-containing material in a device operating with the pin mill principle. The device includes a housing and in it a first rotor equipped with collision surfaces; a second rotor concentric with the first rotor and equipped with collision surfaces, the second rotor being arranged to rotate in a direction opposite to the first rotor; or a stator concentric with the first rotor and equipped with collision surfaces. Further, the device includes a feed orifice in the housing and opening to the center of the rotors or the rotor and stator, and a discharge orifice on the housing wall and opening to the periphery of the outermost rotor or stator. The fiber-containing material is led from the feed orifice to the housing and made to flow together with air or liquid generating a suspension through the collision surfaces of the nested rotors, or the nested rotor and stator to the discharge orifice and further as a discharge flow out of the housing.

Abstract: A wood chipping apparatus includes a housing having a chipping chamber and an air chamber isolated by a fixed partition wall of the housing. A chipping drum is supported for rotation in the chipping chamber. A fan is supported for rotation in the fan chamber. The chambers have adjacent outlets that communicate with a discharge chute. Wood chips exiting the chipping chamber are received in the chute and are entrained by air issuing from the fan chamber to carry the chips along the chute. A baffle separates the outlets of the chambers and ensures that the air from the fan chamber does not backflow into the chipping chamber through its material outlet.

Abstract: A method for refining lignocellulose-containing material into pulp in a disc refiner comprises preheating the material to a temperature greater than the glass transition temperature of lignin in the material, and holding this temperature for under one minute. The heated material is then subject to high speed refining in a disc refiner to produce pulp. The resulting pulp may then be subject to secondary refining steps to produce paper quality pulp. The preheat retention time is preferably in the range of 5-30 seconds, and can be controlled as a process variable to optimize energy savings, pulp strength, and optical qualities. High quality pulp can be obtained with preheat at high temperature and low retention time, followed by primary refining at disc speed of at least 2300 rpm.