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Abstract

This invention uses lignin, which is the main chemical by-product of the original pulping process in manufacturing wood pulp for use in cardboard and paper, to create a repulping solution Lignocellulosic Hornification Remover (“LHR”) comprising a customized mixture of dipolar aprotic such as dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and water, the LHR having greater frequency and energy and lignocellulosic hornification removal results than pure DMSO or other cellulose swelling chemical agents previously used in conventional repulping. The LHR creates and secures a special type of swelling (“intramicellar swelling”) in the material being re-pulped. Intramicellar swelling is a dimensional type of swelling, not the normal swelling of pulp material which is a directional one. The intramicellar swelling influences and breaks down both the intra- and intermolecular H-bonds of both amorphous and crystalline cellulose (i.e., cellulose micelle crystallites) and renders accessible cellulose with open H-bond packing in the material being re-pulped. As intramicellar swelling is attained, the following desirable features in the material being re-pulped occur: increased flexibility of fibers, opening of H-bonding, detachment of ink, additives and adhesives.

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First Claim