Process for ammoniating cellulosic materials
First Claim
1. A process for nitrogen enriching a cellulosic material comprising the steps of:
- a) providing a cellulosic material;
b) moistening the cellulosic material to over approximately 50% of its saturated moisture content;
c) placing said cellulosic material in a reactor vessel;
d) pressurizing said reactor to a pressure of less than about 200 psi;
e) injecting into said reactor an amount of a nitrogen based compound equal to about 2% to 8% of the dry weight of said cellulosic material;
f) allowing an exothermic reaction to occur until the temperature of said cellulosic material stabilizes;
g) increasing pressure in said reactor vessel to at least about 700 psi while maintaining a temperature in said reactor vessel under about 200°
C. for a period of time sufficient for the organically bound nitrogen content of said cellulosic material to exceed about 1.5% N on a dry weight basis; and
h) drying said cellulosic material to a moisture content sufficiently low to arrest microbial activity.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Process for enriching the organic nitrogen content of commercial scale quantities of cellulosic materials which includes the steps of: a) placing substantially dry or unwetted cellulosic material in a pressurizable reactor; b) injecting an ammonia or ammonia-forming nitrogen solution into the reactor until the cellulosic material is approximately submerged; c) setting the temperature in the reactor to maintain a liquid temperature between about 80 and 200° C.; d) pressurizing the reactor to at least 750 psi; e) maintaining the temperature and pressure in the reactor for a period of time sufficient for the organically bound nitrogen content of the cellulosic material to exceed about 1.5%; and f) drying the cellulosic material to a moisture content sufficiently low to arrest microbial activity.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A process for nitrogen enriching a cellulosic material comprising the steps of:
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a) providing a cellulosic material;
b) moistening the cellulosic material to over approximately 50% of its saturated moisture content;
c) placing said cellulosic material in a reactor vessel;
d) pressurizing said reactor to a pressure of less than about 200 psi;
e) injecting into said reactor an amount of a nitrogen based compound equal to about 2% to 8% of the dry weight of said cellulosic material;
f) allowing an exothermic reaction to occur until the temperature of said cellulosic material stabilizes;
g) increasing pressure in said reactor vessel to at least about 700 psi while maintaining a temperature in said reactor vessel under about 200°
C. for a period of time sufficient for the organically bound nitrogen content of said cellulosic material to exceed about 1.5% N on a dry weight basis; and
h) drying said cellulosic material to a moisture content sufficiently low to arrest microbial activity. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. The process according to step 1, wherein step (g) further includes maintaining said pressure and temperature for a period of time sufficient for the organically bound nitrogen content of said cellulosic material to reach at least about 2.75% N on a dry weight basis.
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13. A process for nitrogen enriching a cellulosic material comprising the steps of:
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a) placing substantially dry or unwetted cellulosic material in a pressurizable reactor;
b) providing an ammonium hydroxide solution within said reactor to a level which approximately submerges said cellulosic material;
c) setting the temperature in said reactor to maintain a liquid temperature between about 80 and 200°
C.;
d) pressurizing the reactor to at least 750 psi;
e) maintaining said temperature and pressure in said reactor for a period of time sufficient for the organically bound nitrogen content of said cellulosic material to exceed about 1.5%;
f) drying said cellulosic material to a moisture content sufficiently low to arrest microbial activity. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. A process for nitrogen enriching a cellulosic material comprising the steps of:
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a) placing substantially dry cellulosic material in a pressurizable reactor;
b) providing an ammonium hydroxide solution within said reactor to a level which approximately submerges said cellulosic material;
c) setting the temperature in said reactor to maintain a liquid temperature above about 80°
C.;
d) pressurizing said reactor to at least 750 psi; and
e) maintaining said temperature and pressure in said reactor for a period of time sufficient for the organically bound nitrogen content of said cellulosic material to exceed about 1.5%.
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Specification