The invention relates to polypeptides having glucanase, e.g., endoglucanase, mannanase, xylanase activity or a combination of these activities, and polynucleotides encoding them. In one aspect, the glucanase activity is an endoglucanase activity (e.g., endo-1,4-beta-D-glucan 4-glucano hydrolase activity) and comprises hydrolysis of 1,4 -beta-D-glycosidic linkages in cellulose, cellulose derivatives (e.g., carboxy methyl cellulose and hydroxy ethyl cellulose) lichenin, beta-1,4 bonds in mixed beta-1,3 glucans, such as cereal beta-D-glucans or xyloglucans and other plant material containing cellulosic parts. In addition, methods of designing new enzymes and methods of use thereof are also provided. In alternative aspects, the new glucanases e.g., endoglucanases, mannanases, xylanases have increased activity and stability at increased pH and temperature.

The method is for producing pulp in batch digesters. More particularly, the method is for ending a treatment phase of the digester content. In order to obtain a more uniform pulp quality from the process is the treatment phase ended by displacing a liquor volume (WLP) through the digester vessel with an imposed increasing temperature in the displacement liquor added to digester.

The method is for producing pulp in batch digesters. More particularly, the method is for ending a treatment phase of the digester content. In order to obtain a more uniform pulp quality from the process is the treatment phase ended by displacing a liquor volume (WLP) through the digester vessel with an imposed increasing temperature in the displacement liquor added to digester.

There is provided a method of producing a hydrolysate containing sugar from a lingocellulosic biomass, comprising the steps of: a) pretreating the lingocellulosic biomass in a pretreatment process to form a slurry comprising cellulosic particles; b) saccharification of the slurry obtained in step a) in the presence of hydrolytic enzymes in an enzymatic hydrolysis process to obtain a hydrolysate containing sugar; c) analyzing cellulosic particles present in the slurry obtained in step a) and/or cellulosic particles present in the enzymatic hydrolysis process during step b) using an image analysis method to obtain a data set; and d) controlling at least one process parameter of the pretreatment process in step a) and/or enzymatic hydrolysis process in step b) in response to the data set obtained in step c). A corresponding system is also provided.

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to materials and methods for producing a wide range of raw materials from plant biomass. In certain embodiments, the present disclosure provides materials and methods for efficient decortication of plant biomass using a thermally regulated process to generate reactive oxygen species in the presence of a catalyst. Embodiments of the present disclosure address the need for improved methods with which to obtain a wide range of raw materials from plant biomass without the need for industrial decortication machines and without producing harmful industrial waste.

A system for reacting and separating solid and fluid components includes a series of sequential simulated moving bed (SMB) chromatography columns connected to form a circulation loop. Each SMB chromatography column includes an inlet and an outlet. A reactor is configured to receive a solid reactant and has an inlet and an outlet, and the reactor inlet is fluidly connected to an outlet of a first SMB chromatography column of the series of sequential SMB chromatography columns. The reactor outlet is fluidly connected to an inlet of a second SMB chromatography column of the series of sequential SMB chromatography columns.

A system for reacting and separating solid and fluid components includes a series of sequential simulated moving bed (SMB) chromatography columns connected to form a circulation loop. Each SMB chromatography column includes an inlet and an outlet. A reactor is configured to receive a solid reactant and has an inlet and an outlet, and the reactor inlet is fluidly connected to an outlet of a first SMB chromatography column of the series of sequential SMB chromatography columns. The reactor outlet is fluidly connected to an inlet of a second SMB chromatography column of the series of sequential SMB chromatography columns.

A sampling assembly and a method of operation of a sampling assembly are described. An assembly according to an embodiment includes an inlet, an outlet, a liquid-flowing section disposed between the inlet and the outlet, a vapor-flowing section disposed between the inlet and the outlet, and a probe port on the liquid-flowing section. The vapor-flowing section is distinct from and above the liquid-flowing section. A method according to an embodiment includes receiving a liquid chemical interspersed with a gas at an inlet of a sampling assembly and segregating the liquid chemical from the gas. The liquid chemical flows in a liquid-flowing section of the sampling assembly, and the gas flows in a vapor-flowing section of the sampling assembly. The method further includes monitoring a property of the liquid chemical in the liquid-flowing section and releasing the liquid chemical and the gas through an outlet of the sampling assembly.

A sampling assembly and a method of operation of a sampling assembly are described. An assembly according to an embodiment includes an inlet, an outlet, a liquid-flowing section disposed between the inlet and the outlet, a vapor-flowing section disposed between the inlet and the outlet, and a probe port on the liquid-flowing section. The vapor-flowing section is distinct from and above the liquid-flowing section. A method according to an embodiment includes receiving a liquid chemical interspersed with a gas at an inlet of a sampling assembly and segregating the liquid chemical from the gas. The liquid chemical flows in a liquid-flowing section of the sampling assembly, and the gas flows in a vapor-flowing section of the sampling assembly. The method further includes monitoring a property of the liquid chemical in the liquid-flowing section and releasing the liquid chemical and the gas through an outlet of the sampling assembly.

The invention to which this application relates is apparatus and a method for use in the preconditioning, processing of a material mixture and forming of end products from the processed material mixture which includes fibres such as cellulose fibres so as to allow the end products including the same to be formed in an efficient and controllable process.