An improved biomass refining process is disclosed which is considerably more efficient and cost effective than conventional refining processes. The apparatus and method of the present invention employs superheated steam to dry the solid components and uses the excess steam generated in the drying step to concentrate the liquid components, solidify soluble components and expel noncondensible components. The present invention further employs improved Ammonia Freeze Explosion technology to further enhance the food value of biomass and the solid fiber components separated from the biomass during refining.

Method and process using a supercritical fluid, with or without the aid of entrainers (1) to solubilize a monomer, monomer mixture or polymer which may or may not include additives and entrainers, (2) to carry the supercritical solvent mixture thereby created into the wood matrix, (3) to remove extractives from the wood, (4) to precipitate the monomer or polymer within the wood, and (5) to polymerize the monomer in situ in the wood.

A method of making a landscaping mulch, using as its primary ingredient, spent stable bedding which has its primary ingredient ripe de bois softwood shavings. The result of the method is a mulch, particularly for landscaping applications, having a relatively high pH value, between 6.5 and 7.5, which is also useful for neutralizing the effects of acid rain. The method involves the steps of mixing agricultural manure in the range of 5%-25%, softwood shavings from spent stable bedding in an amount of greater than 60%, and when necessary, to augment carbon-to-nitrogen ratios, other ancillary ingredients in an amount less than 25%; producing a result by the mixing of ingredients, which has a carbon-to-nitrogen range from 100 to 200 parts of carbon to 1 part of nitrogen. Thereafter, the mixed ingredients are used to form piles, which are then over-saturated with water. Thereafter, liquid is percolated through the mixed ingredients, which liquid is expressed from the bottom of the pile by gravity. Thereafter, the pile is resaturated with the expressed liquid, now rich in tannin liquors, in order to provide a natural coloring agent for the material. Then the water flow is halted in order to allow biological activity to generate heat. Heat bakes-in the color and releases more tannins for extraction when liquid saturation is resumed. The foregoing process, beginning with resaturation, is repeated until the desired color is achieved.

An improved wood pulping process for the delignification of wood in a solvent wherein the solvent is a supercritical fluid under supercritical conditons and contains a delignification agent such as sodium hydroxide, sodium sulfide and/or sodium bisulfate.

Method and process using a supercritical fluid, with or without the aid of entrainers 1) to solubilize a monomer, monomer mixture or polymer which may or may not include additives and entrainers, 2) to carry the supercritical solvent mixture thereby created into the wood matrix, 3) to remove extractives from the wood, 4) to precipitate the monomer or polymer within the wood, and 5) to polymerize the monomer in situ in the wood.