A biomass fractionation apparatus includes a vessel having a processing chamber, an inlet configured to receive a biomass into the processing chamber, and an outlet configured to discharge processed biomass from the chamber. A bed plate is movably positioned within the processing chamber and includes a plurality of elongated fins extending outwardly therefrom in substantially parallel spaced-apart relationship. A cylindrical rotor is rotatably secured within the processing chamber in adjacent, spaced-apart relationship with the bed plate. The rotor has a plurality of elongated blades extending radially outwardly therefrom in circumferentially spaced-apart relationship. Upon rotation of the rotor, the blades are configured to accelerate a biomass within the processing chamber against the fins of the bed plate and to cause the bed plate to pulsate against the rotor.

Embodiments disclosed herein relate to methods and systems for processing and transporting biomass to an end user. In an embodiment, a method of processing and transporting biomass to an end user is disclosed. The method includes tapping a biomass for processing, processing the biomass into a biomass slurry, and transporting the biomass slurry to an end user off site through a transport conduit therebetween.

Embodiments disclosed herein relate to methods and systems for processing and transporting biomass to an end user. In an embodiment, a method of processing and transporting biomass to an end user is disclosed. The method includes tapping a biomass for processing, processing the biomass into a biomass slurry, and transporting the biomass slurry to an end user off site through a transport conduit therebetween.

A system (1) for refining lignocellulosic biomass material (A) comprising a presteaming bin (2), a dewatering device (3), a preheater (4), a defibrator (9) comprising at least one refining zone (14) wherein steam is generated during refining of said biomass material so that a pressure peak occurs, a blowpipe (19), and a first steam flow path (D) arranged to convey steam from said refining zone to said presteaming bin (2). The system further comprises a second steam flow path (E) arranged to convey steam from said refining zone to said presteaming bin, wherein said first and second steam flow paths are connected to the refining zone on opposite sides of the pressure peakin a biomass material transport direction, and wherein said first and second steam flow paths are separate from said blow pipe. The invention also relates to a process for refining lignocellulosic biomass material.

A method of softening coconut shell material, includes submerging the coconut shell material in water to produce clean crumb material, boiling the clean crumb material in a salt solution to produce boiled crumb material, steaming the boiled crumb material to produce steamed crumb material, first soaking the steamed crumb material in a solution of water and an alkali material to produce soaked crumb material, second soaking the soaked crumb material in a salt solution to produce second soaked crumb material, rinsing the second soaked crumb material with a stable alkaline solution to product softened wet crumb material, and storing the softened wet crumb material.

A method of softening coconut shell material, includes submerging the coconut shell material in water to produce clean crumb material, boiling the clean crumb material in a salt solution to produce boiled crumb material, steaming the boiled crumb material to produce steamed crumb material, first soaking the steamed crumb material in a solution of water and an alkali material to produce soaked crumb material, second soaking the soaked crumb material in a salt solution to produce second soaked crumb material, rinsing the second soaked crumb material with a stable alkaline solution to product softened wet crumb material, and storing the softened wet crumb material.

The sheet manufacturing apparatus includes: a rough crushing unit that roughly crushes a raw material containing fibers; and a defibration unit that defibrates the roughly crushed raw material in a gas atmosphere. In addition, the sheet manufacturing apparatus includes: first and second web formers that accumulate defibrated substances obtained through a defibrating process and form webs; and a sheet former that forms a sheet of the second web. In addition, the sheet manufacturing apparatus includes: a vaporization-type humidifying unit that humidifies a space in which the raw material is roughly crushed by the rough crushing unit; and a mist-type humidifying unit that humidifies the webs that are formed by the first and second web formers.

The sheet manufacturing apparatus includes: a rough crushing unit that roughly crushes a raw material containing fibers; and a defibration unit that defibrates the roughly crushed raw material in a gas atmosphere. In addition, the sheet manufacturing apparatus includes: first and second web formers that accumulate defibrated substances obtained through a defibrating process and form webs; and a sheet former that forms a sheet of the second web. In addition, the sheet manufacturing apparatus includes: a vaporization-type humidifying unit that humidifies a space in which the raw material is roughly crushed by the rough crushing unit; and a mist-type humidifying unit that humidifies the webs that are formed by the first and second web formers.

A cupstock for making rimmed cups, such as coffee cups, can be manufactured from recycled paper fibers while having a rim-formation index (RFI) and/or structural and flexural factors, based on certain properties of the cupstock to facilitate a quality rim. For example, the RFI can be based on the thickness, ring crush MD, bending stiffness MD, and areal density of the cupstock. The cupstock can be made from 100% recycled fibers from old corrugated cardboard (OCC) and provided with structural and flexural factors within respective ranges to ensure adequate rim formation when converted into a rimmed cup.

A cupstock for making rimmed cups, such as coffee cups, can be manufactured from recycled paper fibers while having a rim-formation index (RFI) and/or structural and flexural factors, based on certain properties of the cupstock to facilitate a quality rim. For example, the RFI can be based on the thickness, ring crush MD, bending stiffness MD, and areal density of the cupstock. The cupstock can be made from 100% recycled fibers from old corrugated cardboard (OCC) and provided with structural and flexural factors within respective ranges to ensure adequate rim formation when converted into a rimmed cup.