Processes disclosed are capable of converting biomass into high-crystallinity nanocellulose with low mechanical energy input. In some variations, the process includes fractionating biomass with sulfur dioxide or a sulfite compound and water, to generate cellulose-rich solids and a liquid containing hemicellulose and lignin; and mechanically treating the cellulose-rich solids to form nanofibrils and/or nanocrystals. The total mechanical energy may be less than 500 kilowatt-hours per ton. The crystallinity of the nanocellulose material may be 80% or higher, translating into good reinforcing properties for composites. The nanocellulose material may include nanofibrillated cellulose, nanocrystalline cellulose, or both. In some embodiments, the nanocellulose material is hydrophobic via deposition of some lignin onto the cellulose surface. Optionally, sugars derived from amorphous cellulose and hemicellulose may be separately fermented, such as to monomers for various polymers. These polymers may be combined with the nanocellulose to form completely renewable composites.

Processes disclosed are capable of converting biomass into high-crystallinity nanocellulose with low mechanical energy input. In some variations, the process includes fractionating biomass with sulfur dioxide or a sulfite compound and water, to generate cellulose-rich solids and a liquid containing hemicellulose and lignin; and mechanically treating the cellulose-rich solids to form nanofibrils and/or nanocrystals. The total mechanical energy may be less than 500 kilowatt-hours per ton. The crystallinity of the nanocellulose material may be 80% or higher, translating into good reinforcing properties for composites. The nanocellulose material may include nanofibrillated cellulose, nanocrystalline cellulose, or both. In some embodiments, the nanocellulose material is hydrophobic via deposition of some lignin onto the cellulose surface. Optionally, sugars derived from amorphous cellulose and hemicellulose may be separately fermented, such as to monomers for various polymers. These polymers may be combined with the nanocellulose to form completely renewable composites.

A bleaching apparatus comprises a measurement chamber has a first substance, the amount of the first substance in the measurement chamber being known. A dosing unit inputs a second substance to the measurement chamber for causing a chemical reaction between the first substance and the second substance, one of the first substance and the second substance being chlorine dioxide and another of the first substance and the second substance being filtered sample from pulp slurry of a pulp process. At least one sensor performs detection of a property known to depend on the chemical reaction between the first substance and the second substance as a function of time. A data processing unit determines chemical demand of chlorine dioxide for washing loss in a bleaching sub-process on the basis of at least one value in the detected property within a known period of time after the input of the second substance.

A bleaching apparatus comprises a measurement chamber has a first substance, the amount of the first substance in the measurement chamber being known. A dosing unit inputs a second substance to the measurement chamber for causing a chemical reaction between the first substance and the second substance, one of the first substance and the second substance being chlorine dioxide and another of the first substance and the second substance being filtered sample from pulp slurry of a pulp process. At least one sensor performs detection of a property known to depend on the chemical reaction between the first substance and the second substance as a function of time. A data processing unit determines chemical demand of chlorine dioxide for washing loss in a bleaching sub-process on the basis of at least one value in the detected property within a known period of time after the input of the second substance.

This disclosure relates to improved packaging materials containing oxidized cellulose. More particularly, this disclosure relates to improved packaging materials containing oxidized cellulose exhibiting one or more of improved odor control and/or improved antimicrobial properties. This disclosure further relates to the use of oxidized cellulose in packaging materials as an anti-counterfeiting agent, and methods of testing for the same.

This disclosure relates to improved packaging materials containing oxidized cellulose. More particularly, this disclosure relates to improved packaging materials containing oxidized cellulose exhibiting one or more of improved odor control and/or improved antimicrobial properties. This disclosure further relates to the use of oxidized cellulose in packaging materials as an anti-counterfeiting agent, and methods of testing for the same.

Stabilized compositions employing a sequestrant system and a binding system for improving shelf stability and dispensing stability of a solid activated bleach composition are disclosed. The compositions contain a peroxygen source and a catalyst activator which require generation of a peroxycarboxylic acid or other active oxygen sanitizing agent at a point of use. Stabilized compositions employ a sequestrant system including a phosphonic acid and/or dipicolinic acid sequestrant and a binding system comprising an anionic surfactant for a solid formulation of a catalyst activator and peroxygen source to provide shelf stability and dispensing stability for a activated bleach composition. Methods of formulating and use are further disclosed.

Stabilized compositions employing a sequestrant system and a binding system for improving shelf stability and dispensing stability of a solid activated bleach composition are disclosed. The compositions contain a peroxygen source and a catalyst activator which require generation of a peroxycarboxylic acid or other active oxygen sanitizing agent at a point of use. Stabilized compositions employ a sequestrant system including a phosphonic acid and/or dipicolinic acid sequestrant and a binding system comprising an anionic surfactant for a solid formulation of a catalyst activator and peroxygen source to provide shelf stability and dispensing stability for a activated bleach composition. Methods of formulating and use are further disclosed.

Stabilized compositions employing a sequestrant system and a binding system for improving shelf stability and dispensing stability of a solid activated bleach composition are disclosed. The compositions contain a peroxygen source and a catalyst activator which require generation of a peroxycarboxylic acid or other active oxygen sanitizing agent at a point of use. Stabilized compositions employ a sequestrant system including a phosphonic acid and/or dipicolinic acid sequestrant and a binding system comprising an anionic surfactant for a solid formulation of a catalyst activator and peroxygen source to provide shelf stability and dispensing stability for a activated bleach composition. Methods of formulating and use are further disclosed.

Stabilized compositions employing a sequestrant system and a binding system for improving shelf stability and dispensing stability of a solid activated bleach composition are disclosed. The compositions contain a peroxygen source and a catalyst activator which require generation of a peroxycarboxylic acid or other active oxygen sanitizing agent at a point of use. Stabilized compositions employ a sequestrant system including a phosphonic acid and/or dipicolinic acid sequestrant and a binding system comprising an anionic surfactant for a solid formulation of a catalyst activator and peroxygen source to provide shelf stability and dispensing stability for a activated bleach composition. Methods of formulating and use are further disclosed.