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Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Old Corrugated Cardboard (OCC) Fines
About
A significant fraction of short fibers commonly called as “fines” is produced while recycling OCC (Old Corrugated Containerboards) in paper mills manufacturing recycled linerboard. These fines are currently captured within the paper sheet as it is produced. However, they interfere with the dewatering of pulp reducing the production speed while also interfering with the sheet’s internal bonding and reduce its strength. Current practice for papermakers is to enhance sheet strength using starch and other binders while carrying some of these fines into the linerboard. A sizeable fraction however is still unusable and is rejected in the waste stream. It is possible to remove these fines from the paper stream and produce value added products thus serving the dual purposes of reducing the environmental load and footprint of the linerboard manufacture and at the same time, produce fermentable feedstock for green and biodegradable bioplastics. The current invention employs a method that incorporates novel optimized saccharification technology to hydrolyze cellulosic components in the paper mill solid wastes. Process modifications include the deployment of unique process technology including separation schemes to achieve optimal saccharification kinetics and process yields from the waste stream. Patents: U.S. 9,850,512; 9,951,363 SUNY-ESF-1905
Key Benefits
(1) Simple and economical fermentable sugar production method & provides an alternate solution for disposal of waste from paper mills. (2) Increases the production capacity and product quality of recycled linerboard manufactured from OCC by eliminating the interference effects of fines during dewatering and drying as well as improving the product strength by allowing better interfiber contact and bonding. (3) Product can offset the requirement of food (starch) and petrochemical-based products for a more sustainable planet, reducing emissions.
Applications
Processing of paper mill solid waste. Reduction of environmental load and footprint of the linerboard manufacture. Production of fermentable feedstock for green and biodegradable bioplastics.