Biopulping industrial wood waste
US6402887B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 30, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jun 11, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 30, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC D)Textiles; Paper
- CPC primaryD21C5/005
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method using biological processes in the production of pulp from industrial wood waste is described. The process makes use of various species of white-rot fungi which selectively degrade lignin. The industrial wood waste must be cleaned and hydrated prior to inoculation with the fungus. Paper produced by this process has excellent strength characteristics as compared to both non-treated industrial wood waste and pulp produced from virgin wood chips. Substantial energy savings are also realized when the biopulped industrial wood waste chips are further refined by conventional mechanical pulping procedures. Kraft pulping of wood waste resulted in strength properties comparable to those of virgin wood. Fungal pretreatment subsequently enhanced the resulting kraft pulp properties.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.