Process for producing alkaline treated cellulosic fibers
First Claim
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1. An alkaline treatment system comprising:
- a cellulose slurry supply system for providing cellulosic fiber containing hemicellulose to said alkaline treatment system;
a steeping liquor supply system for providing an effective amount of a steeping liquor comprising an alkaline solution to said alkaline treatment system;
a mixing system for combining the cellulosic fiber and the steeping liquor into an alkaline cellulose slurry;
at least one alkaline treatment unit for steeping the alkaline cellulose slurry for a sufficient amount of time to diffuse an effective amount of the hemicellulose out of the cellulosic fibers and into the steeping liquor;
at least one treated cellulose washer to separate the spent steeping liquor containing the diffused hemicellulose from the treated cellulosic fibers; and
a nanofiltration system comprising at least one nanofiltration unit to remove at least a portion of the hemicellulose from the spent steeping liquor.
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Abstract
Systems and methods by which to subject cellulosic fibers to alkaline treatment are provided. The systems and methods of the invention include equipment, such as nanofiltration units and slurry concentrators, which result in a lowered overall consumption of alkaline solution during alkaline treatment. The systems and methods of the invention further allow the components of hemicaustic streams produced by such alkaline treatments to be utilized in higher value end uses.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. An alkaline treatment system comprising:
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a cellulose slurry supply system for providing cellulosic fiber containing hemicellulose to said alkaline treatment system;
a steeping liquor supply system for providing an effective amount of a steeping liquor comprising an alkaline solution to said alkaline treatment system;
a mixing system for combining the cellulosic fiber and the steeping liquor into an alkaline cellulose slurry;
at least one alkaline treatment unit for steeping the alkaline cellulose slurry for a sufficient amount of time to diffuse an effective amount of the hemicellulose out of the cellulosic fibers and into the steeping liquor;
at least one treated cellulose washer to separate the spent steeping liquor containing the diffused hemicellulose from the treated cellulosic fibers; and
a nanofiltration system comprising at least one nanofiltration unit to remove at least a portion of the hemicellulose from the spent steeping liquor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. An alkaline treatment method comprising:
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providing cellulosic fibers containing hemicellulose to an alkaline treatment system that includes a mixing system, at least one alkaline treatment unit, at least one treated cellulose washer and a nanofiltration system;
providing a steeping liquor comprising an alkaline solution to the alkaline treatment system;
combining the cellulosic fibers and the steeping liquor into an alkaline cellulose slurry within the mixing system;
steeping the alkaline cellulose slurry for a sufficient amount of time to diffuse an effective amount of the hemicellulose out of the cellulosic fibers and into the steeping liquor within the alkaline treatment unit;
washing the treated cellulose slurry in the treated cellulose washer to remove the spent steeping liquor containing the diffused hemicellulose from the treated cellulosic fibers;
passing the spent steeping liquor through a nanofiltration system comprising at least one nanofiltration unit to remove at least a portion of the hemicellulose from the spent steeping liquor. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification