The present invention concerns a process for the dissolution of cellulose using an enzymatic treatment, followed by a chemical dissolution. Particularly, the invention relates to the utilization of oxidizing enzymes for said enzyme treatment step. The process of the invention will cause an improved dissolution of high molar mass cellulose fibres. The improved dissolution properties also cause an improved reactivity of the cellulose in subsequent reactions.

Disclosed is a method of obtaining regenerated cellulose fiber by using supercritical-N.sub.2O and/or supercritical-CHF.sub.3 compounds from cotton straw which are formed as thin chips mechanically.

A sheet fabrication apparatus includes: a fiber separation unit that micronizes an ingredient; a first sensor unit that measures a temperature in a first space including the fiber separation unit; a first air conditioning unit that adjusts the temperature in the first space; a fabrication unit that works the fiber separated articles obtained by micronizing the ingredient by the fiber separation unit; a second sensor unit that measures at least either a temperature or a humidity at a mounting position of the fabrication unit; and a control unit that controls the first air conditioning unit on the basis of at least any of measurement results of the first sensor unit and the second sensor unit.

A process for separation of the cellulosic part from a raw material composition comprising polyester and cellulose is provided. A blend is prepared comprising a raw material composition comprising polyester and cellulose and a hydrolyzing liquor wherein the hydrolyzing liquor comprises a first mixture comprising an alkaline solution containing hydroxide ions. The hydrolyzing liquor is added to give the blend an effective alkali concentration in a range from 5 g/l to 150 g/l, wherein the effective alkali concentration is calculated as NaOH, and the hydrolyzing liquor:raw material composition ratio is from 1.5:1 up to 25:1 and keeping the blend at a temperature of 100° C. or above.

A process for separation of the cellulosic part from a raw material composition comprising polyester and cellulose is provided. A blend is prepared comprising a raw material composition comprising polyester and cellulose and a hydrolyzing liquor wherein the hydrolyzing liquor comprises a first mixture comprising an alkaline solution containing hydroxide ions. The hydrolyzing liquor is added to give the blend an effective alkali concentration in a range from 5 g/l to 150 g/l, wherein the effective alkali concentration is calculated as NaOH, and the hydrolyzing liquor:raw material composition ratio is from 1.5:1 up to 25:1 and keeping the blend at a temperature of 100° C. or above.

The present invention relates to a granular microfibrillated cellulose product comprising a microfibrillated cellulose originating from agricultural biomass, said microfibrillated cellulose product comprising ≤75 wt % of cellulose, preferably ≤70 wt %, based on dry solids content of said product, wherein said granular microfibrillated cellulose product has a bulk density of 500-1200 kg/m.sup.3; a flowability of 5-60 ml/s, measured by a Copley scientific powder flowability tester having a stainless steel cylinder with orifice 16 or funnel with orifice 15; and a water content of at most 60 wt %, based on total microfibrillated cellulose product. The present invention further relates to its manufacture and usein and manufacture of paper and paperboard products.

Methods and systems of the present invention use mixed textile feedstock, which may include post-consumer waste garments, scrap fabric and/or other textile materials as a raw feed material to produce isolated cellulose and other isolated molecules having desirable properties that can be used and be used in the textile and apparel industries, and in other industries. A multi-stage process is provided, in which mixed textile feed material is subjected to one or more pretreatment stages, followed by at least two pulping treatments for isolating cellulose molecules and other molecular constituents, such as polyester. The isolated cellulose and polyester molecules may be used in a variety of downstream applications. In one application, isolated cellulose and polyester molecules are extruded to provide regenerated cellulose fibers and regenerated polyester fibers having desirable (and selectable) properties that are usable in various industrial applications, including textile production.

A method of preparing cellulosic biomass material for subsequent processing first comprises moving at least one stream of biomass material along a flow path. Then, the stream of cellulosic biomass material can be explosively dried and pulverized to disrupt lignocellulosic bonds, and to reduce a moisture content and a particle size of the cellulosic biomass material. Then, the stream of cellulosic biomass material can be electrically degraded the stream of cellulosic biomass material to disrupt lignocellulosic bonds. Additional pre-treatment and post-treatment processes can also be included.

A method of preparing cellulosic biomass material for subsequent processing first comprises moving at least one stream of biomass material along a flow path. Then, the stream of cellulosic biomass material can be explosively dried and pulverized to disrupt lignocellulosic bonds, and to reduce a moisture content and a particle size of the cellulosic biomass material. Then, the stream of cellulosic biomass material can be electrically degraded the stream of cellulosic biomass material to disrupt lignocellulosic bonds. Additional pre-treatment and post-treatment processes can also be included.

The invention provides a process for the conversion of biomass into a biomass product which is suitable for use as a fuel. The biomass is of plant origin and comprises microorganisms naturally occurring in the biomass. The process comprises—preparing a slurry by dispersing the biomass comprising the naturally occurring microorganisms in an aqueous liquid, maintaining the slurry at conditions suitable for aerobic digestion by the microorganisms to obtain a slurry comprising the biomass product as a dispersed solid phase, and—recovering the biomass product. The recovering comprises washing and drying the biomass product. The invention also provides a combustion process.