The invention relates to a process for treating vapours released from lignocellulose biomass during acid treatment at elevated temperature of the lignocellulose biomass. The process comprises condensing (3) the vapours to produce a condensate, adjusting (4) the pH of the condensate to about 9, and decanting (5) the condensate to produce turpentine, and may further comprise distilling (6) the mixture remaining after decanting to produce furfuraland a reject comprising tall oil fatty acids. The invention also relates to a corresponding system for treating vapours released from lignocellulose biomass during acid treatment at elevated temperature of the lignocellulose biomass.

A bale of sheets made of virgin cellulose fibers and cellulose ester (CE) staple fibers can be fed to a hydropulper. The CE staple fibers have: i. a denier per filament (DPF) of less than 3, or ii. a cut length of less than 6 mm, or iii. crimping, or iv. a combination of any two or more of (i)-(iii). The bales can be fed and dropped in as entire bales to a hydropulper, or a blend tank directly or indirectly in fluid communication with a hydropulper, using the same feed system employed for feeding cellulose to the hydopulper and avoiding having to defiberize by pulling or drawing fibers from a box container into a hydropulper.

Some variations provide a new nanolignocellulose composition comprising, on a bone-dry, ash-free, and acetyl-free basis, from 35 wt % to 80 wt % cellulose nanofibrils, cellulose microfibrils, or a combination thereof, from 15 wt % to 45 wt % lignin, and from 5 wt % to 20 wt % hemicelluloses. The hemicelluloses may contain xylan or mannan as the major component. Novel properties arise from the hemicellulose content that is intermediate between high hemicellulose content of raw biomass and low hemicellulose content of conventional nanocellulose. The nanolignocellulose composition is hydrophobic due to the presence of lignin. Processes for making and using the nanolignocellulose compositions are also described.

The present invention is directed to a method of transforming a pulp fibrous into a pre-dispersed semi-dry or dry fibrous material and to the material produced. The method opens, de-entangles and fibrillates the fibrous material of the input pulp. The method mixes the input fibrous with chemicals while evaporating moisture in an updated mechanical disc refiner process. The refiner operates to set three process variables: 1) applied refining specific energy; 2) refiner gap opening and 3) refiner output consistency. Depending on the feed pulp type and consistency, the refiner's output is a pre-dispersed semi-dry fibrous material of 30 to 99% solids with 70 to 100% of separated fibers that depending on chemical treatment are loosely entangled fibrous that disperse in water using common techniques. The pre-dispersed semi-dry output may be further processed inline or by batch process air agitation at velocities sufficient to further separate fibers and loosen fibrous entanglements.

Various processes are disclosed for producing nanocellulose materials following steam extraction or hot-water digestion of biomass. Processes are also disclosed for producing nanocellulose materials from a wide variety of starting pulps or pretreated biomass feedstocks. The nanocellulose materials may be used as rheology modifiers in many applications. Water-based and oil-based drilling fluid formulations and additives are provided. Also, water-based and oil-based hydraulic fracturing fluid formulations and additives are provided. In other embodiments, polymer-nanocellulose composites are provided.

A super strong and tough densified wood structure is formed by subjecting a cellulose-based natural wood material to a chemical treatment that partially removes lignin therefrom. The treated wood retains lumina of the natural wood, with cellulose nanofibers of cell walls being aligned. The treated wood is then pressed in a direction crossing the direction in which the lumina extend, such that the lumina collapse and any residual fluid within the wood is removed. As a result, the cell walls become entangled and hydrogen bonds are formed between adjacent cellulose nanofibers, thereby improving the strength and toughness of the wood among other mechanical properties. By further modifying, manipulating, or machining the densified wood, it can be adapted to various applications.

The present disclosure relates to an improved method for treating a lignocellulose biomass in order to dissolve the lignin therein, while the cellulose does not dissolve. The cellulose pulp obtained can be used to produce glucose. In addition the lignin can be isolated for subsequent use in the renewable chemical industry.

Some variations provide a new nanolignocellulose composition comprising, on a bone-dry, ash-free, and acetyl-free basis, from 35 wt % to 80 wt % cellulose nanofibrils, cellulose microfibrils, or a combination thereof, from 15 wt % to 45 wt % lignin, and from 5 wt % to 20 wt % hemicelluloses. The hemicelluloses may contain xylan or mannan as the major component. Novel properties arise from the hemicellulose content that is intermediate between high hemicellulose content of raw biomass and low hemicellulose content of conventional nanocellulose. The nanolignocellulose composition is hydrophobic due to the presence of lignin. Processes for making and using the nanolignocellulose compositions are also described.

The present invention is directed to a method of transforming a pulp fibrous into a pre-dispersed semi-dry or dry fibrous material and to the material produced. The method opens, de-entangles and fibrillates the fibrous material of the input pulp. The method mixes the input fibrous with chemicals while evaporating moisture in an updated mechanical disc refiner process. The refiner operates to set three process variables: 1) applied refining specific energy; 2) refiner gap opening and 3) refiner output consistency. Depending on the feed pulp type and consistency, the refiner's output is a pre-dispersed semi-dry fibrous material of 30 to 99% solids with 70 to 100% of separated fibers that depending on chemical treatment are loosely entangled fibrous that disperse in water using common techniques. The pre-dispersed semi-dry output may be further processed inline or by batch process air agitation at velocities sufficient to further separate fibers and loosen fibrous entanglements.

Method of delignification of plant material, said method comprising: providing said plant material comprising cellulose fibers and lignin; exposing said plant material requiring to a composition comprising: alkanesulfonic acid; and a peroxide, wherein said alkylsulfonic acid and peroxide are present in a molar ratio ranging from 1:1 to 15:1 and the time of exposure is sufficient to remove substantially all of the lignin present on said plant material. Compositions capable of achieving delignification are also disclosed