Other

Biopulping International Inc.

Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation

Wilhelm Environmental Technologies

United States of America, As Represented by the Secretary of Agriculture

Michael J Lentz

Masood Akhtar

Eric G Horn

Gary Michael Scott

Ross E Swaney

Robert A Wright

David L Woracek

Carl J Houtman

T Kent Kirk

Cory C Black

Aziz Ahmed

Richard L Batttles

Kent S Duncan, Deceased

Richard L Battles

The present invention is a method for producing pulp from fibrous lignocellulose material using a treatment step which exposes the material to oxalic acid, or oxalic acid and sodium bisulfite, prior to pulping. The pulping of the resulting product requires less energy input and provides a pulp having enhanced physical properties as compared to untreated materials.

Method for producing pulp

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

Eucalyptus biomechanical pulping process

A method using biological processes in the production of pulp from industrial wood waste is described. The process makes use of various species of white-rot fungi which selectively degrade lignin. The industrial wood waste must be cleaned and hydrated prior to inoculation with the fungus. Paper produced by this process has excellent strength characteristics as compared to both non-treated industrial wood waste and pulp produced from virgin wood chips. Substantial energy savings are also realized when the biopulped industrial wood waste chips are further refined by conventional mechanical pulping procedures. Kraft pulping of wood waste resulted in strength properties comparable to those of virgin wood. Fungal pretreatment subsequently enhanced the resulting kraft pulp properties.

Biopulping industrial wood waste

Sulfur dioxide generation using granulated or emulsoid sulfur feedstock

An improved method and system for cooling the sulfur dioxide gas stream flowing from a sulfur furnace to a catalytic converter in a sulfur trioxide flue gas conditioning system. Water is injected into the sulfur dioxide gas stream upstream of the catalytic converter as appropriate to maintain the temperature at the inlet of the catalytic converter at a desired level.

SO3 flue gas conditioning system with catalytic converter temperature

Growing community of inventors

Madison, WI, United States of America

Michael J Lentz