b Integrated processes for refining syngas and bioconversion to oxygenated organic compound By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Integrated processes are provided for syngas refining and bioconversion of syngas to oxygenated organic compound. In the integrated processes ammonia contained in the syngas is recovered and used as a source of nitrogen and water for the fermentation. The integrated processes first remove tars from syngas by scrubbing using a first aqueous medium under conditions that ammonium bicarbonate is unstable. With tars removed, contact between the syngas and a second aqueous medium enables ammonia and carbon dioxide to be removed from the syngas without undue removal of components adverse to the fermentation, processing or oxygenated product such as benzene, toluene, xylene, ethylene, acetylene, and hydrogen cyanide. At least a portion of the second aqueous medium is supplied as a source of water and ammonia for the fermentation. Full Article
b Article for CO2 capture having heat exchange capability By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An article comprising a plurality of intersecting walls having outer surfaces that define a plurality of cells extending from one end to a second end, wherein the walls forming each cell in a first subset of cells are covered by a barrier layer to form a plurality of heat exchange flow channels, and wherein the walls forming each cell in a second subset of cells different from the first subset of cells, comprise a CO2 sorbent and form reaction flow channels. Heat exchange flow channels allow quick and uniform heating and cooling of the sorbent body. The article may be useful, for example, for removing CO2 from a gas stream. Full Article
b Coil arrangement for air intake system for gas turbine and methods By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An air intake system for a gas turbine includes one or more coils in airflow communication with an inlet arrangement. Each coil is constructed and arranged to have a respective upstream face velocity that is intended to be within 20% of the other coils. Each coil utilizes a working fluid of a predetermined temperature range conveyed there through and a plurality of spaced fins. The fins are spaced apart to permit air to flow between adjacent fins as air flows through the coil. At least one of the coils has a number of fins per inch that is different from the number of fins per inch of the other coils. Alternatively, each individual coil has at least one section with fewer or greater numbers of fins per inch that the other sections of that coil. Full Article
b Membrane-based gas separation process using ejector-driven gas recycle By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A gas separation process that utilizes ejector recycle with a membrane separation step in combination with a second separation step. The second separation step may be a second membrane separation, or may involve a different type of separation process. At least a portion of the non-product (i.e. residue) stream withdrawn from the second separation step is directed back to the ejector to form a processing loop. The ejector drives the gas flow in the loop and recycles the non-product stream to the first separation step. Full Article
b System and method for dense phase sorbent injection By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present disclosure is directed to a dense-phase additive transportation system for additive injection into a contaminated gas stream. Full Article
b Carbon pyrolyzate adsorbent having utility for CO2 capture and methods of making and using the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A particulate form carbon pyrolyzate adsorbent, having the following characteristics: (a) CO2 capacity greater than 105 cc/gram at one bar pressure and temperature of 273° Kelvin; (b) CO2 Working Capacity greater than 7.0 weight percent; (c) CO2 heats of adsorption and desorption each of which is in a range of from 10 to 50 kJ/mole; and (d) a CO2/N2 Henry's Law Separation Factor greater than 5. The carbon pyrolyzate material can be formed from a polyvinylidene chloride-based polymer or copolymer, or other suitable resin material, to provide an adsorbent that is useful for carbon dioxide capture applications, e.g., in treatment of flue gases from coal-fired power generation plants. Full Article
b Sulfur compounds for carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide removal By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT This invention relates to sulfur based compounds useful in methods of carbon dioxide or sulfur dioxide removal. Full Article
b Apparatus for water recovery including stackable desiccant trays By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A device recovers water from an ambient airstream. The device includes a chamber having a group of trays that hold respective amounts of liquid desiccant. A foam media element in each tray absorbs the desiccant to increase an exposed surface of the desiccant to the airstream. Fans and valves are used to control airflow through the device. A charge cycle circulates air through the device to remove water vapor from the airstream. A subsequent extraction cycle removes water collected in the liquid desiccant by a condenser communicating with the chamber. An integral heat exchanger adds heat to the chamber during the extraction cycle. A controller is used to integrate and control device operation. The desiccant trays may be selectively configurable in an array to best suit the intended installation. The trays may be arranged in column and row configurations, along with adjustable airflow patterns between each of the trays. Full Article
b Apparatus and systems having a reciprocating valve head assembly and swing adsorption processes related thereto By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Provided are apparatus and systems having a poppet valve assembly and swing adsorption separation techniques related thereto. A poppet valve includes a valve body, a plurality of static valves fixedly secured to the valve body and a single dynamic poppet valve having a plurality of openings. The plurality of static valves align and mate with the plurality of openings. The single dynamic poppet valve reciprocates to selectively open and close the plurality of static valves. Full Article
b System and method for continuously pretreating a raw multi-phase stream captured by a landfill gas collector By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The system is provided for continuously separating landfill gas in a raw multi-phase stream coming from a landfill gas collector. The system includes an atmospheric tank and an elongated separator vessel mounted substantially upright above the tank bottom. The elongated separator vessel includes a mid-level inlet that is configured and disposed to be in fluid communication with the landfill gas collector pipe, an upper gas outlet located vertically above the mid-level inlet, and a bottom-opened discharge end that is located vertically below the mid-level inlet. A method of pretreating a raw multi-phase stream captured from a landfill site is also disclosed. The proposed concept provides a relatively simple arrangement that can be made sufficiently rugged to perform a pretreatment of the raw multi-phase stream in a continuous manner and with a very minimal intervention from landfill operators under almost any weather and operating conditions. Full Article
b IM-21 organic-inorganic hybrid solid and process for preparing same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A novel crystalline hybrid solid with a mixed organic-inorganic matrix is described which has a three-dimensional structure containing an inorganic framework with metallic centers based on zinc connected together via deprotonated organic ligands constituted by the entity —O2C—C6H2—(O)2—CO2. This novel solid is termed IM-21 and has an X-ray diffraction diagram as given below. Full Article
b Process and apparatus for carbon dioxide and carbonyl sulfide capture via ion exchange resins By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A process for the reduction of carbon dioxide and carbonyl sulfide from various types of gas emitting sources containing carbon dioxide and/or gas or liquid emitting sources containing carbonyl sulfide, using ion exchange resin. Full Article
b Climate control system having multiple adsorbers and a method of control By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A climate control system and a method of control. The climate control system may have first and second adsorbers and a door that controls airflow through the first and second adsorbers. The first adsorber adsorbs moisture from the airflow and the second adsorber desorbs moisture when the door is in a first position. Full Article
b System and method for carbon dioxide capture and sequestration from relatively high concentration CO2 mixtures By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A system and method of reducing the net carbon dioxide footprint of an industrial process that generates power from the combustion of hydrocarbon fuels in which ambient air is admixed with up to 50% by volume of an effluent gas from the power generator of the industrial process, in order to substantially increase the CO2 concentration in the air prior to treatment. The treatment comprises adsorbing CO2 from the admixed ambient air utilizing a cooled, porous substrate-supported amine adsorbent, wherein the porous substrate initially contacts the mixed ambient air containing condensed water in its pores, which act as an intrinsic coolant with respect to the exothermic heat generated by the adsorption process. In addition, prior to regenerating the supported adsorbent, air pressure is substantially reduced in the sealed regeneration chamber and the low pressure chamber is placed in fluid connection with a higher pressure regeneration chamber containing steam and carbon dioxide, to preheat the sorbent to be regenerated and to quickly cool the regenerated sorbent prior to use for further CO2 adsorption. Full Article
b Method and absorbent compositions for recovering a gaseous component from a gas stream By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method and apparatus for recovering a gaseous component from an incoming gas stream is described. The incoming gas stream is contacted with a lean aqueous absorbing medium to absorb at least a portion of the gaseous component from the incoming gas stream to form a lean treated gas stream and a rich aqueous absorbing medium. At least a portion of the gaseous component is desorbed from the rich aqueous absorbing medium at a temperature to form an overhead gas stream and a regenerated aqueous absorbing medium. At least a portion of the overhead gas stream is treated to recover a condensate stream. At least a portion of the condensate stream is used to form a heated stream. At least a portion of the heated stream is recycled back to the desorbing step. Novel absorbing medium compositions to recover carbon dioxide and/or hydrogen sulfide are also described. Full Article
b Apparatus and systems having an adsorbent contactor and swing adsorption processes related thereto By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method and apparatus are described for swing adsorption processes. The method includes obtaining different plates, wherein the plates have gaseous openings and a utility fluid opening. Then, the gaseous openings are substantially oriented along a common axis for gaseous openings and the plates are diffusion bonded. Once diffusion bonded, the gaseous openings within the module are wash coated with an adsorbent material. Full Article
b Methods of removing contaminants from hydrocarbon stream by swing adsorption and related apparatus and systems By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A pressure swing adsorption process for removal of CO2 from natural gas streams through a combination of a selective adsorbent material containing an effective amount of a non-adsorbent filler, adsorbent contactor design, and adsorption cycle design. The removal of contaminants from gas streams, preferably natural gas streams, using rapid-cycle swing adsorption processes, such as rapid-cycle pressure swing adsorption (RC-PSA). Separations at high pressure with high product recovery and/or high product purity are provided through a combination of judicious choices of adsorbent material, gas-solid contactor, system configuration, and cycle designs. For example, cycle designs that include steps of purge and staged blow-down as well as the inclusion of a mesopore filler in the adsorbent material significantly improves product (e.g., methane) recovery. An RC-PSA product with less than 10 ppm H2S can be produced from a natural gas feed stream that contains less than 1 mole percent H2S. Full Article
b Method and device for producing a fluid enriched with carbon dioxide from a waste gas of a ferrous-metallurgy unit By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention relates to a process and apparatus for producing a fluid enriched in carbon dioxide starting from a waste gas from a ferrous metallurgy unit. Full Article
b Array of hollow fibers and a system and method of manufacturing same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An array of hollow fibers including a plurality of hollow fibers of a predetermined diameter configured to receive a gas having oxygen therein and transfer the oxygen to a fluid and/or transfer carbon dioxide in the fluid to a gas. The array is configured in a predetermined pattern having a predetermined packing density that is a fraction of a total cross-sectional area of the array occupied by the hollow fibers. Full Article
b Aliphatic amine based nanocarbons for the absorption of carbon dioxide By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A composition of matter, and method to make same, for a nano-based material including a nanocarbon support to which is attached an aliphatic amine. In particular, the composition of matter is an aliphatic amine-nanocarbon material that includes a nanocarbon (NC) support, such as C60, nano-graphite, graphene, nanocarbon ribbons, graphite intercalation compounds, graphite oxide, nano-coal, nanohorns, and combinations thereof, and further includes an aliphatic amine, such as polyethyleneimine (PEI). Full Article
b Regenerative adsorption process for removal of silicon-containing contaminants from process gas using a neutral adsorbent media By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A natural gas-containing stream such as biogas from landfills and sewage treatment plants is freed of siloxane contaminants by passing the biogas through a bed containing an adsorbent having a neutral surface, which adsorbs the siloxanes. When the bed of neutral adsorbent is filled to capacity, the adsorbent bed is heated to remove the siloxanes and regenerate the bed. The neutral adsorbent reduces disadvantageous reactions between the adsorbent and siloxane and other impurities in the natural gas-containing stream. Full Article
b System and method for reducing mineral buildup on drift eliminators of a cooling tower By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method directed to reducing mineral buildup on drift eliminators of a cooling tower by allowing irrigation of the drift eliminators of the cooling tower with fluid in the basin of the cooling tower to reduce mineral buildup. Full Article
b Exhaust substance removal By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT In one implementation, a substance removal apparatus may include a collection unit and a removal unit. The collection unit may have a structure forming a channel and an inlet to receive an exhaust from a print system. The removal unit may separate a substance from the exhaust and transfer heat from the exhaust to the print system. The removal unit may include a heat exchanger and an impaction mechanism. Full Article
b Cutting device and cutting method for cutting labels, and labelling apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A cutting device for cutting labels includes a cutting element for cutting into individual labels a label strip that is provided with a plurality of labels arranged one behind the other in the direction of the length of the label strip. The cutting element has a cutting tool in a first axis, about which the cutting element is rotatable. A counter-pressure roller which serves for the placement of the label strip is rotatable about a second axis arranged parallel to the first axis and has at least one counter-cutting bar which is provided on the outer surface of the counter-pressure roller essentially parallel to the second axis. Full Article
b Web member cutting apparatus for cutting web member that has a plurality of fibers including tows and web member cutting method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus for cutting a continuous web includes a disc-shaped rotatable blade member for cutting the continuous web by moving in an intersecting direction, while rotating about an axis of a rotating shaft, a regulating section for regulating a relative movement of the continuous web in the predetermined direction with respect to the rotatable blade member throughout a time during which the rotatable blade member is cutting the continuous web, and a reciprocating mechanism for moving both the rotatable blade member and the regulating section along a forward path and a return path. The forward path has an equal velocity region where both the rotatable blade member and the regulating section move at a velocity value equal to a transport velocity value of the continuous web. The rotatable blade member cuts the continuous web while moving in the equal velocity region. Full Article
b Divider fin assembly for die-cut blanks By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A fin assembly for attachment to a die cutting machine to guide and align at least two blanks cut from a sheet in the machine as the blanks are fed through the machine. The fin assembly includes at least one thin plate-like fin having length and height dimensions and a narrow thickness. The fin is mounted in the machine so that the length dimension is in substantial alignment with a respective cut separating two blanks cut in the machine, so that the blanks fall on opposite sides of the fin as they are fed through the machine, whereby the fin keeps the blanks separate and aligns them as they are fed through the machine. At least one back stop is associated with the fin to prevent blanks from moving in a reverse direction and falling out of the machine when they fall past the fin. Full Article
b Rotary cutting apparatus with vibration attenuation means By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Rotary cutting apparatus has a frame, a first rotary device and a second rotary device. Each of the first and second rotary devices has a shaft concentrically arranged about a rotational axis and a drum and are arranged in the frame in such a way that said first and second axes are substantially horizontal and substantially in the same vertical plane. A pair of bearing housings is arranged on either side of each of the drums. A first pair of bearing housings is movable relative to the frame in a transverse direction to the first rotational axis by means of a force means. Means is provided for passive vibration attenuation of at least the first shaft that includes a mass damper having a housing and a damping body movably arranged inside the housing, wherein the mass damper is associated with the first pair of bearing housings. Full Article
b Bread conveying apparatus and bread slicing apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A bread conveying apparatus and a bread slicing apparatus including the bread conveying apparatus, comprise a flight conveyer including a first flight for urging a bread, an endless revolving member on which the first flight is mounted, and a driving member and a driven member, the endless revolving member being wound around the driving member and driven member; a rail extending along a conveying path of the bread and supporting the first flight; and a rail size setting unit for setting a length of the rail with respect to an extending direction of the conveying path, wherein the length of the rail with respect to the conveying direction is set by the rail size setting unit based on a size of the bread. Full Article
b Handheld work apparatus with switchable power By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to a portable, handheld work apparatus such as a trimmer, a cut-off machine, a chain saw or the like, having a motor (5, 33) to drive a rotating, exchangeable work tool (13). A control unit (15) serves to control the operation of the motor (5, 33). The control unit (15) determines the rotational speed (n) and/or the power (P) of the motor (5, 33). According to the invention, the motor (5, 33) can be operated in a first operating mode (I) with reduced rotational speed (n0) and/or power (P0) and in at least a second operating mode (II) with an increased rotational speed (n1) and/or power (P1). In dependence on a release signal, the control uses exclusively the first operating mode (I) for a limited operation and the second operating mode (II) for an expanded operation. Full Article
b Clamping and gripping device with high mechanical advantage and energy saving attributes By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A tool is provided for moving a first clamping or gripping member toward or away from a second facing clamping or gripping member, the tool having a double threaded drive shaft coupled to opposed threaded linkage driving members for causing the threaded linkage driving members to be driven toward or away from each other. As the threaded linkage driving members move closer, the resulting angle of the links becomes steeper, thus increasing the mechanical advantage of the clamping tool, enhancing clamping forces. A beneficial result is a clamping apparatus that requires less manual energy than a traditional clamp. Another beneficial result is provided if the same amount of energy is applied to the driveshaft as in a traditional clamp, the resulting clamping force is significantly higher. If the second clamping member is adjustable, it accommodates wide variations in thickness of an object positioned between the first and second clamping members. Full Article
b Web member cutting apparatus for cutting web member that has a plurality of fibers including tows and web member cutting method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A web-member cutting apparatus for cutting a web member at intervals in a transport direction includes: an intermittent transport mechanism for intermittently transporting the web member in the transport direction; a disc-like rotatable blade member for cutting the web member by moving along an intersecting direction while rotating about a rotation shaft during a suspension period of transport of the web member, and a downstream pressing member for regulating movement of the web member by pressing the web member against the intermittent transport mechanism at a position downstream from a target cut position in the transport direction throughout a period during which the rotatable blade member is cutting the web member. Full Article
b Apparatus and method for cutting tubular members By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus for cutting tubular members includes a support structure, a control system, a cutting station, a guide and an extracting assembly. The cutting station includes a first wheel having at least one cutting member located on the circumference of the first wheel and a second wheel having at least one projection located on the circumference of the second wheel. The extracting assembly has a cylindrical member with a first end and a second end. The cylindrical member also includes a pair of grooves extending along a portion of the interior thereof. The grooves decrease in height and depth from the first interior section to the third interior section. Full Article
b Positioning device for a turnable table of saw machine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A positioning device for a turnable table of a saw machine having a pivot shaft that pivotally connects a pair of clamping units. A pressing member with an attachment portion for attaching to a coupling unit may be formed on each clamping unit. By manipulating a trigger of the coupling unit, the pair of clamping units can be driven to rotate a pair of corresponding clench members for selectively clamping or unclamping a base of the saw machine. Thereby, the turnable table can be secured in place upon adjustment. Full Article
b Device and method for cutting through the adhesive bead of panes that have been fixed by bonding By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A device and a method for cutting through the adhesive bead of panes that have been fixed by bonding is specified, said device having a base body on which at least one suction plate for fixing on a pane to be separated out as well as one motor-drivable coil for winding-on a separating wire are accommodated, wherein at least two guide rollers are held on the base body by means of extension arms at a distance which is adjustable in respect to each other. The device is preferably positioned approximately diagonally on the pane in such a manner that the guide rollers are situated on the outer ends of the extension arms in the vicinity of the corner regions of the pane. Full Article
b Articulating band saw and method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An articulating band saw apparatus provides a frame that includes a vertically extending section having upper and lower end portions. An elevator moves between the upper and lower end portions of the frame. A first hydraulic actuator is supported on the elevator for movement therewith. A first arm provides arm end portions, the first arm supported by the first hydraulic actuator. An end of the first arm supporting a second hydraulic actuator that is spaced away from the first hydraulic actuator. The second hydraulic actuator supports a second arm. An endless band type saw is mounted on the free end of the second arm generally opposite the second actuator. The band saw is movable by articulation of the first and second actuators and resulting movement of the first and second arms. In one embodiment, the band saw is a diamond wire saw. Full Article
b Method for optimizing lumber derived from a log By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT In some embodiments, the disclosure includes method for optimizing lumber derived from a log. The method may include the steps of debarking the log and cutting the log to provide a plurality of boards. The plurality of boards are then scanned to determine knot properties and/or warp stability for each of the plurality of boards and a lumber upgrade process is selected based on the knot properties and/or warp stability. Finally, one or more of the plurality of boards are planed after being subjected to the lumber upgrade process. Full Article
b Fabric cutting system and method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A fabric cutting system and/or method can include a mandrel having a body and first and second legs, a centered chuck, and an offset chuck, each chuck configured to receive either one of the legs or body to rotatingly support the mandrel between the chucks. When one of the legs is inserted into the centered chuck and the mandrel body is inserted into the offset chuck, the mandrel can be rotated and the fabric mounted on the mandrel can be cut about the leg at a location beyond the end of the other leg. One of the legs can include a leg extension removable from a leg base that when removed allows the other leg to be cut beyond the end of the leg base. The fabric can be cut with a cutting laser, which may be a multi-axis laser, and/or have low power. Full Article
b System and process for improving paper and paper board By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to a process for making paper or paper board comprising forming a cellulosic suspension, flocculating the suspension, draining the suspension on a device to form a sheet and then drying the sheet, wherein the suspension is flocculated using a formation improving 3-component flocculation system comprising a) a linear cationic or ampoteric co-polymer of: i) acrylamide, and ii) a substance with formula (I) with a halide as counter-ion; b) at least one water soluble component chosen from the group of anionic polyacrylamide, non-ionic polyacrylamide and polyethyleneoxide; and c) inorganic microparticles, whereby the flocculation system does not contain a wafer-dispersible or branched anionic organic polymer. The invention also relates to use of the flocculation/retention system in the manufacture of paper or paper board, and to paper and paper board thus produced. Full Article
b Process for the preparation of surface-treated calcium carbonate material and use of same in the control of organic material in an aqueous medium By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention relates to a process for the production of a surface-treated calcium carbonate, the use of this surface-treated calcium carbonate in a process for the control of organic material in an aqueous medium, as well as to a composite of surface-treated calcium carbonate and organic material, such as a composite of surface-treated calcium carbonate and to the use of such a composite. Full Article
b Method and device for the hydrolysis of preferably solid organic substrates By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to a device for the hydrolysis of preferably solid organic substrates, in particular of energy crops and plant residues, with a collection vessel (1) for receiving the organic substrates, with a conveying means (4) for transporting the organic substrates into a charging device (7) for the batch-wise charging of a hydrolyzer (10) with the organic substrates, the hydrolyzer (10) being provided on the output with a pressure-release device (12) having a valve-controlled pressure diaphragm (13) and a steam trap (14) arranged upstream of an expander tank (15). According to the invention, the conveying means (4) includes a conveyor worm (4') with a sleeve shaft (25), which is charged with hot steam from the steam trap (14), which is preferably designed as a cyclone, the sleeve shaft (25), in the conveying zone for the organic substrate, having, in a heating zone (18), steam-outlet openings (26) for directly charging the organic substrate with hot steam. Full Article
b Process for production of finely fibrous cellulose composite prepreg sheet, process for production of finely fibrous cellulose composite sheet, and process for production of finely fibrous cellulose composite laminate sheet By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method of producing a finely fibrous cellulose composite prepreg sheet, sheet or laminate sheet, the method including a mixing an emulsion of a reactive compound with an aqueous suspension containing a finely fibrous cellulose to prepare a mixed liquid dewatering the mixed liquid by filtration on a porous substrate to form a water-containing sheet; and heating and drying the water-containing sheet. A method of producing a finely fibrous cellulose composite sheet, the method including subjecting the finely fibrous cellulose composite prepreg sheet produced by the method described above to a curing treatment. Full Article
b Blends of polymers as wet strengthening agents for paper By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Resin systems and methods for making and using same are provided. The method for making a paper product can include contacting a plurality of pulp fibers with a resin system. The resin system can include a first polyamidoamine-epihalohydrin resin and a second resin that can include a second polyamidoamine-epihalohydrin resin, a urea-formaldehyde resin, or a mixture thereof to produce a paper product. The first resin and the second resin can be sequentially or simultaneously contacted with the plurality of pulp fibers. The period for sequential addition between the first resin and the second resin is about 1 second to about 1 hour. Full Article
b Method of increasing paper surface strength by using acrylic acid/acrylamide copolymer in a size press formulation containing starch By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention provides methods and compositions for increasing the strengthening effect of a starch coating on paper. The method involves contacting the starch with a synthetic polymer before the starch is cooked. This changes how the starch gelatinizes and how the polymer gets distributed on the paper resulting in greater paper surface strength. Full Article
b Process for manufacturing paper and board having improved retention and drainage properties By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method for manufacturing a sheet of paper and/or board having improved retention and drainage properties is provided, according to which, before the formation of the sheet and/or board, at least two retention aids are added to the fibrous suspension. These two retention aids are a main retention aid corresponding to a (co)polymer having a cationic charge density above 2 meq/g, obtained by the Hofmann degradation reaction, and a secondary retention aid corresponding to a water-soluble or water-swellable polymer having an anionic charge density above 0.1 meq/g. The main retention aid is introduced into the fibrous suspension in a proportion of 100 to 800 g/t of dry pulp, and the secondary retention aid is introduced into the fibrous suspension in a proportion of 50 to 800 g/t of dry pulp and has an intrinsic viscosity IV above 3 dl/g. Full Article
b BCTMP filtrate recycling system and method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A process for making bleached pulp comprises contacting an unbleached pulp mixture with a first recycled filtrate obtained from a first location (3) of a first recycled filtrate loop, to obtain a first pulp mixture having a first consistency; bleaching the first pulp mixture, to obtain a first bleached pulp mixture; pressing or dewatering the first bleached pulp mixture, to obtain a first pressed bleached pulp mixture and a second filtrate; sending at least a portion of the second filtrate to a second location (5) of the first recycled filtrate loop, wherein the second location (5) is downstream of and in fluid communication with the first location (3); contacting the first pressed bleached pulp mixture with a second recycled filtrate obtained from a third location (6) of the first recycled filtrate loop, to obtain a second pulp mixture having a second consistency, wherein the second consistency is greater than the first consistency, and wherein the third location (6) is downstream of and in fluid communication with the second location (5); bleaching the second pulp mixture, to obtain a second bleached pulp mixture; pressing or dewatering the second bleached pulp mixture, to obtain a second pressed bleached pulp mixture and a third filtrate; sending at least a portion of the third filtrate to a fourth location (8) of the first recycled filtrate loop, wherein the fourth location (8) is downstream of and in fluid communication with the third location (6); and recycling at least a portion of the third filtrate in the first recycled filtrate loop to the first location (3); to obtain the bleached pulp. Full Article
b Textile belt, method for making it, and its use By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An industrial textile belt, a method for making it, and its use. The belt includes a seam with joining ends that can be joined together so that the belt becomes an endless loop. The joining ends have seam areas with cross-machine direction wear yarns on their machine surface. The wear yarns receive wear stress when the belt slides against the support surface of a processing device. Full Article
b Process for the conversion of biomass to liquid fuels and specialty chemicals By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A process is disclosed for converting biomass to fuels and/or valuable chemicals. The process comprises the steps of a) activating biomass to make it more susceptible to conversion; c) partially converting the biomass to a solubilized material; and d) subjecting the unconverted biomass to a second conversion step. The process optionally comprises a step b) of adding a solvent to the activated biomass. In a preferred embodiment the solubilized biomass obtained in step c) is removed before the unconverted biomass is subjected to step d). Full Article
b Dispersible hydroentangled basesheet with triggerable binder By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present disclosure is generally directed to a dispersible moist wipe comprising hydroentangled fibers and a binder composition. The moist wipe demonstrates high initial wet strength while maintaining effective dispersion in an aqueous environment. The moist wipe has potential application as a flushable surface cleaning product and/or a flushable cleansing cloth. Full Article
b Pin seamed press felt with triple layer base fabric By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A press felt includes: a base fabric comprising a plurality of repeat units, each of the repeat units comprising a plurality of exterior machine direction (MD) yarns, each of which includes an upper run and a lower run merging with seam loops at each end, a plurality of middle MD yarns positioned between the upper and lower runs of the exterior MD yarns, a plurality of cross machine direction (CMD) yarns interwoven with the exterior MD yarns and the middle MD yarns in a predetermined regular weave pattern, the seam loops defining the longitudinal ends of the press felt; and a batt layer overlying the base fabric. Full Article
b Method for obtaining cellulose from biomass comprising lignocellulose By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to a method for obtaining cellulose by separating lignin from a biomass comprising lignocellulose in the form of plants or plant parts, wherein the biomass comprising lignocellulose is solubilized in a boiler in an alkaline medium comprising alkanol amine, and dissolved lignin is separated from the resulting raw cellulose. Said method is characterized in that the biomass comprising lignocellulose is not from a wood source, and is solubilized at a temperature of less than approximately 170° C. in a solubilizing agent based on alkanol amine and water, wherein the weight ratio of alkanol amine to water is set to 80:20 to 20:80, and raw cellulose thus produced is separated from the waste lye using a typical method. Said method is particularly advantageous for obtaining cellulose from annual plants, particularly wheat straw. The method is advantageously improved in that the solubilization takes place in the presence of a catalyst, particularly of anthrachinon. An advantageous bleaching process may be performed subsequently. Said method is characterized by great economic efficiency, particularly due to the high reclamation rates of the alkanol amine used, and leads to lower environmental impact in wastewater, and to reduced disposal costs. The design of the method leads to a greater yield of cellulose and largely prevents degradation of alkanol amine, particularly monoethanol amine (MEA). Full Article