Some embodiments are directed to a method and a device that allows fragile fibers, such as carbon fibers, for example, to be recycled so that they can be reused in a new form.

Some embodiments are directed to a method and a device that allows fragile fibers, such as carbon fibers, for example, to be recycled so that they can be reused in a new form.

A separation device includes a separation unit that has a first ejection unit having a first ejection port for depositing a material containing a fiber on a first surface, and a first suction unit having a first suction port for sucking from the first surface toward a second surface so that at least a part thereof overlaps the first ejection port, a second suction unit provided at a position different from the first ejection port and having a second suction port for sucking from the second surface toward the first surface, a detection unit that detects information on foreign matter contained in the material ejected from the first ejection port, an input unit that inputs a detection result of the detection unit, and a control unit that controls a separation condition in the separation unit based on the information input to the input unit.

A process for improving high aspect ratio cellulose filament blends comprising the steps of: a) providing a blend of cellulose nano-filaments or blend of cellulose micro-filaments; b) diluting the blend of cellulose nano-filaments or the blend of cellulose micro-filaments to a target consistency; c) fractionating the diluted blend of cellulose nano-filaments or the diluted blend of cellulose micro-filaments from the step c); and, d) collecting the fraction of the diluted blend of cellulose nano-filaments or the diluted blend of cellulose micro-filaments from the step c) having an average length of greater than at least about 25 μm.

A process for improving high aspect ratio cellulose filament blends comprising the steps of: a) providing a blend of cellulose nano-filaments or blend of cellulose micro-filaments; b) diluting the blend of cellulose nano-filaments or the blend of cellulose micro-filaments to a target consistency; c) fractionating the diluted blend of cellulose nano-filaments or the diluted blend of cellulose micro-filaments from the step c); and, d) collecting the fraction of the diluted blend of cellulose nano-filaments or the diluted blend of cellulose micro-filaments from the step c) having an average length of greater than at least about 25 μm.

The present invention relates to a process for obtaining a spinnable and/or needlable Kapok fibre fraction, and/or Kapok fibre blend with one or more other fibres in a range of from 100% to 10% by weight, comprising the steps of: •a. sorting the longest and cleanest fibres for spinning, by subjecting the fibres to an air stream directed towards a deposition area with a sorting wall, whereby a longer fibre fraction is collected behind the sorting wall, to obtain a short staple Kapok fibre base having an average length of from 10 to 20 mm; •b. adjusting the average moisture content of the kapok fibre base to an average measured moisture content in the range of from 8% to 12% moisture, to obtain moisture- and length-adjusted Kapok fibres, and, optionally •c. blending the moisture-and length-adjusted Kapok fibres with the second fibre base, to obtain a Kapok-comprising fibre blend.

The present invention relates to a process for obtaining a spinnable and/or needlable Kapok fibre fraction, and/or Kapok fibre blend with one or more other fibres in a range of from 100% to 10% by weight, comprising the steps of: •a. sorting the longest and cleanest fibres for spinning, by subjecting the fibres to an air stream directed towards a deposition area with a sorting wall, whereby a longer fibre fraction is collected behind the sorting wall, to obtain a short staple Kapok fibre base having an average length of from 10 to 20 mm; •b. adjusting the average moisture content of the kapok fibre base to an average measured moisture content in the range of from 8% to 12% moisture, to obtain moisture- and length-adjusted Kapok fibres, and, optionally •c. blending the moisture-and length-adjusted Kapok fibres with the second fibre base, to obtain a Kapok-comprising fibre blend.

The present invention is an apparatus and method of using the apparatus for separating individual particles from a collection of clumps (or bundles or aggregates) of particles. The apparatus has n number of separation columns, wherein each separation column is connected at an upper portion thereof to at least one fluid connection, and a particle collector. A pressurized fluid flows through the apparatus and 1) suspends a portion of the clumps within the separation column and/or the at least one fluid connection thereby separating at least some clumps into smaller clumps and/or individual particles; and 2) conveys a portion of the clumps and/or individual particles to the next separation column in the series of separation columns, or, in the case of the nth separation column conveys individual particles to the particle collector.

The present invention is an apparatus and method of using the apparatus for separating individual particles from a collection of clumps (or bundles or aggregates) of particles. The apparatus has n number of separation columns, wherein each separation column is connected at an upper portion thereof to at least one fluid connection, and a particle collector. A pressurized fluid flows through the apparatus and 1) suspends a portion of the clumps within the separation column and/or the at least one fluid connection thereby separating at least some clumps into smaller clumps and/or individual particles; and 2) conveys a portion of the clumps and/or individual particles to the next separation column in the series of separation columns, or, in the case of the nth separation column conveys individual particles to the particle collector.

The present invention provides a nonwoven fabric recycling apparatus and a nonwoven fabric recycling method using same, the apparatus including: a mixing tank in which pulverized waste nonwoven fabric bodies and a filler are dispersed in water and mixed with each other to form a waste nonwoven fabric mixture; a fixing agent addition part for supplying a fixing agent for aggregating the pulverized waste nonwoven fabric bodies and the filler to the nonwoven fabric mixture to form a recycling raw material; and a filter tank in which the recycling raw material supplied thereto is received so that a recycling sheet is formed.