CA2840025C - Cellulosic absorbent, and method for producing same from paper sludge and a binder - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an absorbent, e.g. for bedding, in the form of cellulosic particles, and to a method for manufacturing same. Said particles include a gelled binding agent and cellulosic fibers from paper sludge and/or from paper. The binding agent enables the cellulosic fibers to remain distributed within a matrix gel structure. The matrix structure can be coated with an agglomerating mixture including at least one surfactant and at least one agglomerating agent which are deposited, in layers, from an outer surface of the matrix structure. The coated particles are capable of agglomerating together in order to trap the material to be absorbed. Said particles can be used for bedding. The manufacturing method comprises mixing paper sludge and/or paper in order to form a paste, adding the binding agent so as to form a gelled paste, and converting the gelled paste into cellulosic particles.

Description

CELLULOSIC ABSORBENT AND ITS PRODUCTION PROCESS A
FROM PAPER SLUDGE AND BINDER
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an absorbent and its method of manufacturing. More particularly, the present invention relates to an absorbent, such as a litter under cellulosic particle form comprising a binding agent and fibers cellulosic from sludge and / or paper.
STATE OF THE ART
Cellulose-based absorbents from paper are generally obtained by a granulation process producing cylindrical sized granules rude. Through example, the cat excretion litter granules offered commercially by Yesterday's News is 30mm in length with an average diameter of 4.2mm (Figure 1). Large granules are typically preferred over shorter granules and more thin which, due to the use of short fibers, would be too fragile to risk of quickly turning into fine dust during the phase of use.
Recycled paper granules are generally produced by a process of granulation during which the recycled paper must be moistened before realize the granulation. For this, the paper is usually shredded by a defibrator mechanical and water is subsequently added to the fiber of the paper to make it a date.
Large granules are not optimal because the surface available to absorption is reduced compared to that of smaller granules. In the case of litters absorbent for animals, the excretions quickly reach the bottom of container in which absorbent litter granules are placed and there stagnate.
The liquid standing at the bottom of the container takes time to be absorbed by the granules overlying. This time allows the liquid to develop non-odors.
desirable when exposed to surrounding air. In addition, the coarse texture of the granules no paper not appealing to domestic cats who prefer the feel of fine sand in their condition natural.

2 Currently existing cellulose-based granules have no or very little physical properties allowing their agglomeration when they are in contact with a liquid material. Indeed, their low density and coarse size represent a obstacle to this agglomeration. In addition, these granules are not very absorbent, light and are therefore easily scattered during the use phase.
Another disadvantage of absorbent cellulose-based litter granules come from fact that there is no effective control of the rate of absorption of liquid as well as associated odors.
There is therefore a need for a technology providing at least one solution.
to one of problems and / or disadvantages such as those mentioned above concerning inefficient absorption of excretions and associated odors by granules absorbents of unsuitable geometry.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an absorbent in particulate form.
cellulosic absorbent. These particles can be covered with an agglomerating mixture in order to give them a clumping capacity.
According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a litter comprising particles absorbent cellulosics that can come into contact with a material, the particles absorbent cellulosics comprising:
a binding agent gelled so as to form a matrix structure; and a plurality of cellulosic fibers distributed within the structure matrix;
the cellulosic fibers coming from paper sludge, paper or a combination of these.
According to an optional aspect of the litter, the paper sludge may include sludge de-inking.
According to another optional aspect of the litter, at least 50% by weight of the fibers cellulosics can be obtained from de-inking sludge. Optionally, the totality cellulose fibers can be obtained from de-inking sludge. Still

3 optionally, at least part of the cellulose fibers can be issues of recycled paper.
According to another optional aspect of the litter, the cellulose fibers can be distributed substantially evenly within the structure matrix.
Optionally, the cellulosic fibers can be substantially aligned according to an axis of the matrix structure. Optionally, the fibers cellulosic can be aligned enough to reduce or eliminate the presence of protrusions on a contact surface of the matrix structure.
According to another optional aspect of the litter, the cellulose fibers may have a length between 0.1 and 10 mm. Optionally, 5 to 50% of the fibers cellulosics can have a length between 0.1 and 3.5 mm.
According to another optional aspect of the litter, the binding agent can include a constituent who is derived from an organic colloid. It can also include a constituent which is derived of an inorganic colloid. Optionally, the binding agent can include guar gum, galactomannan gum, xanthan gum, methylcellulose, hydroxypropyl-methylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, corn starch, starch wheat, cassava starch, potato starch, lignin, derived from lignin or a combination thereof. Again optionally, the binding agent may include a super-absorbent comprising polyvinyl alcohol, a polyacrylate, wheat starch pre-gelatinized, pre-gelatinized corn starch or a combination thereof.
Still optionally, the binding agent can be the superabsorbent.
According to another optional aspect of the litter, the binding agent can include a clay.
Optionally, the cellulosic particles can include at most 25% in weight of clay relative to the total weight of the cellulosic particles. Clay may include the calcium bentonite, sodium bentonite or a combination of these.
According to another optional aspect of the litter, the cellulose particles can have a concentration by weight of cellulosic fibers between 50% and 75 %, and an concentration by weight of the binding agent of at most 20%.
According to another optional aspect of the litter, at least a portion of the particles Absorbent cellulosics may include a caking mixture distributed over a

4 outer surface of the matrix structure so that the particles cellulosics can agglomerate in contact with the material. Optionally, the agglomerating mixture may include at least one surfactant and at least one caking agent.
According to another optional aspect of the litter, the cellulose particles may include a first layer comprising the at least one surfactant which is deposited on the outer surface of the matrix structure, and a second layer comprising the water minus an agglomerating agent which is deposited on the first layer.
According to another optional aspect of the litter, the cellulose particles may include a plurality of layers deposited successively from the outer surface of the matrix structure, each layer including the at least one surfactant or the at least an agglomerating agent.
According to another optional aspect of the litter, the at least one surfactant can include a first surfactant and a second surfactant. Cellulose particles can include:
a first layer deposited on the external surface of the structure matrix, the first layer comprising the first surfactant;
a second layer deposited on the first layer, the second layer comprising the at least one agglomerating agent; and a third layer deposited on the second layer, the third layer comprising the second surfactant.
According to another optional aspect of the litter, the at least one little surfactant include a ionic surfactant chosen from the group comprising sodium lauryl sulfate, the polyethylene glycol p- (1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyI) -phenyl ether, analogues of these and mixtures thereof.
According to another optional aspect of the litter, the at least one surfactant can include a nonionic surfactant selected from the group comprising alcohols primary, ethyl phenoxy polyethoxy ethanol, analogs thereof and mixtures thereof this.
According to another optional aspect of the litter, the at least one agent clumping can include guar gum, xanthan gum, carboxymethylcellulose, oxide polyethylene, analogs thereof or mixtures thereof.

According to another optional aspect of the litter, the cellulose particles may include an odor control agent reducing or eliminating the release of odors can result from matter. Optionally, the cellulosic particles can include a layer comprising the odor control agent. Again optionally, the agent odor controller can include a urease inhibitor agent.
According to another optional aspect of the litter, the cellulose particles may include a penultimate layer comprising the odor control agent and a last layer comprising the at least one surfactant.
According to another optional aspect of the litter, the urease inhibitor agent can be chosen from the group comprising N (n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide, cyclohexyl thiophosphoric triamide, N- (N-butyl) phosphoric triamide, cyclohexyl phosphoric triamide, N-aliphatic triamide and N, N-aliphatic phosphoric triamide, phosphorotriamides, 4-aminophenyl sulphonyl amino phenyl phosphorodiamidates, N- (diaminophosphinyl) arylcarboxamines, polysulfides, ferric sulphate, thiosulphates, ricinoleates, mixtures thereof and the analogues of these.
According to another optional aspect of the litter, the cellulose particles can have a particle size between 4 and 100 mesh.
According to another optional aspect of the litter, the cellulose particles can have a particle size distribution according to which at least 90% of the particles cellulosics has a particle size between 4 and 60 mesh, and not more than 10%
from cellulosic particles has a particle size of less than 100 mesh.
Optionally, the cellulosic particles have a particle size distribution that at least 95 % of cellulosic particles has a particle size between 8 and 60 mesh, at most

5% has a particle size of less than 70 mesh and not more than 2% of particles cellulosics has a particle size of less than 100 mesh.
According to another optional aspect of the litter, the cellulose particles can have a density between 15 and 40 lbs / ft3.
According to another optional aspect of the litter, the cellulose particles can have a concentration by weight of cellulosic fibers of between 45 and 70%, a

6 concentration by weight of the binding agent of not more than 19% and a concentration of weight of agglomerating mixture of not more than 7%.
According to another optional aspect of the litter, the cellulose particles, when put in contact with urine, may give off ammonia including between 0 and 25 ppm after 48 hours.
According to another optional aspect of the litter, the cellulose particles can have a substantially cylindrical shape.
According to another optional aspect of the litter, the litter can include particles additional indicators that may change color when they enter contact with excretions, the indicator particles comprising an agent chromogenic and a oxidizing agent. Optionally, the litter can include at least 99% of particles cellulosic and not more than 1% of indicator particles. Still optionally, the litter may include 0.04% to 0.2% indicator particles.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a litter comprising absorbent cellulose particles. The process includes the following steps:
mixture of slurry and / or paper to form a wet pulp comprising cellulosic fibers;
addition of a binding agent to the wet pulp to allow the cohesion of the fibers cellulosics by gelation of the binding agent to form a gelled paste;
and converting the gelled paste to form the cellulosic particles absorbent.
According to an optional aspect of the method, the method can include a step of pre-treatment of paper sludge before mixing into a paste humid.
According to another optional aspect of the method, the pre-treatment step can include a adjustment of the humidity of the paper sludge, sludge purification paper mills with a disinfectant or a combination thereof.
According to another optional aspect of the process, the pulp conversion step gelled can include a step of extruding the gelled paste into absorbent extrudates and an

7 step of reducing the size of the absorbent extrudates to form the particles absorbent cellulosics. Optionally, the size reduction step is a step of grinding.
According to another optional aspect of the process, the pulp conversion step gelled may include a step of cubing, granulating, pelletizing, pelletizing or compaction to form absorbent cellulose particles.
According to another optional aspect of the method, the method may include, after the stage of conversion, a step of drying the absorbent cellulose particles in order to to obtain cellulosic particles with a humidity of between 4%
and 12%.
According to another optional aspect of the method, the method may include, after the stage of conversion, a step of sieving the absorbent cellulose particles according to one defined particle size distribution According to another optional aspect of the method, the method may include, after the stage of conversion, a step of adding an agglomerating mixture to the particles cellulosic in order to coat an external surface with it so that the cellulosic particles agglomerate on contact with a material to be absorbed.
According to another optional aspect of the process, the step of adding a mixture agglomerating can include at least:
the deposition of a first layer comprising at least one surfactant on the outer surface of the matrix structure; and the deposition of a second layer comprising at least one agglomerating agent on the first layer.
According to another optional aspect of the method, the at least one surfactant can be added in liquid form and the at least one agglomerating agent is added in the form of powder.
According to another optional aspect of the method, a third layer comprising at less surfactant can be deposited on the second layer.

8 According to another optional aspect of the process, the step of adding a mixture agglomerating may include the deposition of a layer comprising an odor control agent on a previous layer comprising the at least one surfactant or the at least one agent controller.
According to another optional aspect of the method, the odor control agent can be added in liquid form or in powder form.
According to another optional aspect of the process, the steps of mixing into a paste humid and addition of a binding agent to form a gelled paste can be done simultaneously.
According to another optional aspect of the process, the binding agent can be added to the dough wet as a dry powder, colloidal agent, emulsion or of a gel.
According to another optional aspect of the process, the step of mixing into a paste humid can be carried out in a high shear mixer.
According to another optional aspect of the process, the wet pulp can have a content water between 10 and 65% by weight relative to the total weight of the dough humid.
Optionally, the water content of the wet pulp can be between 10 and 30%
in weight.
According to another optional aspect of the process, the wet pulp can have a content ash less than 25% by weight relative to the total weight of the dough humid.
Optionally, the ash content of the wet pulp can be included between 15 and 20% by weight.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a use of particles cellulosics as defined above or produced according to the process such as defined here above, to be put in contact and absorb animal urine in a tank of litter.
According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided an absorbent comprising particles absorbent cellulosics that can come into contact with a material, the particles absorbent cellulosics comprising:

9 a binding agent gelled so as to form a matrix structure; and a plurality of cellulosic fibers distributed within the structure matrix;
the cellulosic fibers coming from paper sludge, paper or a combination of these.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a litter comprising:
absorbent particles, comprising:
cellulose fibers distributed within a matrix structure, the cellulosic fibers coming from paper sludge, paper or a combination of these;
a binding agent comprising a clay, the binding agent making it possible to maintain cellulosic fibers distributed in the matrix structure;
and a disinfectant selected from the group comprising H202, NaHCO3, NaOC1, chloramine-T and mixtures thereof;
and at least one surfactant.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing of a litter comprising absorbent particles, the method comprising steps following:
mixing of paper sludge and / or paper, then addition of an agent disinfectant with the mixture of sludge and / or paper, the agent disinfectant being chosen from the group comprising H202, NaHCO3, NaOC1, the chloramine-T and mixtures thereof, to form a wet paste comprising cellulose fibers addition of at least one surfactant;
addition of a binding agent to the wet pulp to allow the cohesion of the fibers cellulosic by gelation of the binding agent forming a gelled paste, the agent binder comprising a clay; and converting the gelled paste to form the absorbent particles.
Date Received / Date Received 2021-04-07 9a It is understood that each of the aspects concerning the litter mentioned in the present request can be adapted to each aspect concerning the absorbent mentioned in this application.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
The different characteristics of the invention and other optional aspects are illustrated through the following figures.
Figure 1 is a photograph of cellulose absorbent granules of big size obtained by granulation (prior art).
Figure 2 is a diagram of an absorbent cellulose particle according to a aspect optional of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a sectional view of Figure 2 along line III.
Figure 4 is a photograph of the de-inking paper sludge, according to a aspect optional of the present invention.
Figure 5 is a photograph of the brown sludge according to an optional aspect of the present invention.
Figure 6 is a diagram of a cellulosic particle and its section transverse according to an optional aspect of the present invention.
Figure 7 is a half view of Figure 5.
Figure 8 is a block diagram of the particle production process absorbent according to an optional aspect of the present invention.
Figure 9 is a block diagram relating to the addition of a binding agent in the process illustrated in Figure 8 according to an optional aspect of the present invention.
Date Received / Date Received 2020-10-29 Figure 10 is a block diagram relating to the addition of a binding agent to the process illustrated in Figure 8 according to another optional aspect of the present invention.
Figure 11 is a block diagram relating to the addition of a binding agent to the process illustrated in Figure 8 according to another optional aspect of the present invention.
Figure 12 is a block diagram of a process step shown in Figure 8 according to a another optional aspect of the present invention.
Figure 13 is a block diagram of a sequence of process steps illustrated in Figure 8 according to another optional aspect of the present invention.
Figure 14 is a schematic of a twin-screw extruder in an optional aspect of the

10 present invention.
Figure 15 is a graph showing the release of ammonia from particles cellulosic as a function of time according to an optional aspect of the present invention.
Although the invention is described with respect to the aspects illustrated by the figures below mentioned above, it is of course understood that the scope of the invention is not not limited to these examples alone. On the contrary, all alternatives, modifications and equivalent possible are potentially considered, in light of the description and from claims that follow.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The absorbent relating to the present invention includes particles absorbent cellulosics whose structure, composition and particle size distribution are suitable for ensure the efficient absorption of a material to be absorbed in contact with the particles. Absorbent cellulose particles also allow limit the release of odors potentially associated with the material to be absorbed and its degradation.
The absorbent relating to the present invention can be used as litter intended for absorption of animal excretions. Cellulosic particles can absorb excretions from farm animals or smaller domestic animals, such than cats. The absorbent is however not limited to this use and maybe

11 used to absorb chemicals or liquid spill from of a industrial activity, such as the petroleum industry. The absorbent can also be packaged in such a way as to be in contact with food (meat, poultry, fish) put in trays for example, or even packaged so as to be contained in mattresses or other personal hygiene equipment.
Absorbent cellulosic particles include a binding agent and fibers cellulosic. The binding agent is gelled so as to form a structure matrix in which cellulosic fibers are distributed.
Cellulosic fibers distributed within the matrix structure of particles can be obtained from paper sludge, paper or a combination of these.
The use of paper sludge as a source of cellulosic fibers allows recover this sludge and reduce the impact of its disposal on the environment. Sludge paper makers include:
- The gray sludge or de-inking sludge (Figure 4) comes from processes of paper recycling. These gray sludges have a humidity varying between 45 and 75%, an ash level varying between 45 and 65% and a pH varying from 7 to 9.
- Brown sludge (Figure 5) is sludge from processes related to cardboard. These brown sludges have a humidity varying between 50 and 75%, a level of ash varying between 2 and 30% and a pH varying between 7 and 9.
Paper and recycled paper have a humidity of between 2 and 10% and a color varying from white to gray or brown.
With regard to cellulosic material, the length of the fibers cellulose varies in depending on their provenance. In the case of fibers from paper, the fibers which are contained in good quality blank paper are longer than those contained in a newspaper. These are themselves longer that cellulosic fibers contained in recycled paper or in sludge paper mills, such as de-inking sludge.
According to an optional aspect, the cellulosic particles contain fibers cellulosics from de-inking and paper sludge. Knowing that the sludge paper mills contain a relatively low level of cellulosic fibers big

12 length, paper sludge can therefore be mixed with paper in order to to obtain a basic paste to make the cellulosic particles containing cellulose fibers of various lengths. Cellulosic fibers contained in the paper sludge has a length between 0.1 and 10 mm and the fibers cellulosics contained in the paper have a length between 1 and 3.5 mm. the low level of insoluble matter (also called ash) facilitates incineration, biodegradability and composting of cellulosic particles after their phase of use. The ash content of the particles can be between 10 and 30%, optionally 25%.
Unlike cellulose fibers from wood, fibers cellulosic sludge paper mills are softened (due to the absence of lignin) and flattened. Those characteristics make them fibers better suited to the manufacture of particles cellulosic.
The use of cellulose fibers from paper sludge and / or paper also make it possible to obtain absorbent cellulosic particles of a density average between 10 and 40 lbs / ft3, suitable for use in bedding through example.
As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the cellulosic particles absorbent 2 include 4 cellulosic fibers that can be dispensed uniformly at within the gelled binding agent, which thus forms the matrix structure 6 retaining fibers cellulose between them.
According to an optional aspect, the binding agent can include a derivative component.
of a colloid organic or inorganic.
In an optional aspect, the binding agent can include guar gum, gum galactomannan, xanthan gum, methylcellulose, hydroxypropyl-methylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, starch such as corn starch, starch wheat, cassava starch, potato starch and a combination of these.
The binding agent can include a super-absorbent chosen from polyacrylates, the alcohol polyvinyl, pre-gelatinized wheat starch, pre-gelatinized corn starch and an combination of these. The super-absorbent binding agent can also be mixed with a or more other binding agents. The pre-gelatinization allows among other things to realize the

13 gelation of the binding agent, without the need for heating, simply contact with moisture from paper sludge.
In an optional aspect, the binding agent can include a clay such as montmorillonite, calcium bentonite, sodium bentonite, attapulgite, sepiolite or any combination of these. Clay increases the density of particles cellulose, thus reducing their dispersion out of the container in which they are arranged. For example, when cellulosic particles are used in as cat litter, the clay contained in the particles helps to make those-ci denser and prevents them from being carried away by the cat outside the litter in hooking into the hairs of it. This can therefore represent a advantage when the phase of using cellulose particles in litter, for example. Of manner general, any binding agent making it possible to provide a particle density limiting the dispersion would preferably be used to constitute the structure matrix of cellulosic particles.
According to an optional aspect, the cellulosic particles can include a plurality of layers deposited from the outer surface of the matrix structure, each lying down conferring a particular property on the cellulose particle, such as a to be able to agglomerating, odor control or absorption amplification.
According to an optional aspect, the cellulosic particles 2 can include a mixed binder 10 deposited on an external surface 8 of the matrix structure 6, such as shown in Figures 6 and 7. Absorbent cellulose particles 2 can then also be clumping. The binder mixture 10 can include at least a surfactant and at least one caking agent. Cellulose particles can include a first layer 12 deposited on the outer surface 8 of the structure matrix 6 and comprising the at least one surfactant. This first layer 12 of surfactant can make it possible to wet the outer surface 8 of the structure matrix 6 and make it adherent to a second layer 14 comprising the at least one agent binder, deposited on the first layer 12.
According to an optional aspect, the agglomerating mixture can include at least one agent binder which may include guar gum, xanthan gum,

14 carboxymethylcellulose, polyethylene oxide, analogs thereof or the mixtures of these.
The order of deposition of the surfactant bonding agent layers is not limited to that shown in Figures 6 and 7, and may include any combination that makes the particles agglomerating. In general, cellulosic particles can include a intermediate layer comprising at least one agglomerating agent.
According to an optional aspect, the second layer of the particle comprising the at less an agglomerating agent can consist of a succession of a plurality of under-layers, each sub-layer comprising an agglomerating agent. Alternately, the second layer can include a mixture of bonding agents.
According to an optional aspect, still with reference to Figures 6 and 7, the particles cellulosics 2 can include a third layer 16 comprising at least one surfactant. The at least one surfactant of the first layer 12 can be identical or different from at least one surfactant of the third layer 16. Each of the first 12 and third layers 16 can include one or more surfactants. the mix of surfactants of the first layer 12 may be the same or different from the mix of third layer surfactants 16.
According to an optional aspect, the at least one surfactant may or may not be ionic.
ionic.
The at least one ionic surfactant can include sodium lauryl sulfate (LSS), the polyethylene glycol p- (1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyI) -phenyl ether, analogues of these and mixtures thereof. The at least one nonionic surfactant can include alcohols primary, ethyl phenoxy polyethoxy ethanol, analogs thereof and the mixtures of these.
The at least one surfactant acts as a wetting agent and improves the speed for absorbing cellulosic particles having at least one layer including at minus one surfactant as defined above. Moreover, knowing that the material is then absorbed more quickly by particles, as bad odors can result of the material to be absorbed are also reduced.
For example, when using cellulose particles in litter, stagnation of a liquid such as urine is undesirable because it gives the possibility of urine to stay in contact with air for a time sufficient to engage and accelerate the process of release of two ammonia molecules by urease attack on urea according to the following equation.
Urea + H20 2 NH3 + CO2 (under the action of the enzyme urease) According to an optional aspect, in order to reinforce odor control potential, cellulosic particles may include a layer comprising an agent controller odors. This layer of odor control agent can optionally be filed on a layer comprising the at least one surfactant. Alternatively, the lying down including the odor control agent can precede a last layer including 10 at least one surfactant, thus ensuring good adhesion of the controlling agent odors to the particle.
According to an optional aspect, the odor control agent can include an agent inhibitor urease. This is particularly indicated when the particles cellulosics are used to absorb excretions in litter for example. The agent urease inhibitor may include N (n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (nBTPT), cyclohexyl thiophosphoric triamide (CHTPT), N- (N-butyl) phosphoric triamide (NBPT), cyclohexyl phosphoric triamide (CHPT), N-aliphatic triamide, N, N-aliphatic phosphoric triamide, phosphorotriamides, 4-aminophenyl sulphonyl amino phenyl phosphorodiamidates, N- (diaminophosphinyl) arylcarboxamines and a combination of these. The urease inhibitor agent can also be a polysulfide, a thiosulphate or any other similar agent, such as ferric sulfate and ricinoleates.
In an optional aspect, the odor control agent may include the acid boric borax formulations or a combination thereof.
For example, the matrix structure of cellulosic particles can be covered of an agglomerating mixture comprising at least one surfactant, at least one agent agglomerating agent and a urease inhibitor in the form of layers according to the Table 1 following :

Table 1 Succession of layers on the matrix structure of the particle layer 1: 1% non-ionic surfactant layer 2: 2% agglomerating agent layer 3: 2% non-ionic surfactant layer 4: 2% agglomerating agent layer 5: 0.023% inhibiting agent %: Percentage by weight relative to the total dry weight of the particle cellulosic.
Again according to Figures 2 and 3, the cellulosic fibers 4 can be distributed uniformly within the matrix structure 6 and generally be aligned with respect to each other along an axis of the matrix structure 6.
This alignment makes it possible to obtain a matrix structure having a surface external substantially smooth where the number of protrusions is reduced or zero. The structure matrix thus has an enlarged inter-particle contact surface which allow to improve the contact between the absorbent particles, thus improving the capacity absorption of particles. The presence of inter-particle voids by which the material to be absorbed can flow is also reduced as a result. When the structure matrix of absorbent cellulose particles is covered with the mixture binder as defined above, the alignment of the cellulosic fibers also improves the ability of particles to agglomerate together to form a clod.
What's more, the absence or limitation of protrusions allows the mixture to be deposited agglomerating uniformly on the outer surface of the matrix structure of the particle. The contact surface being devoid of protrusions, the particles cellulosic bond together effectively when wetted with a matter to absorb.
It is understood by clod, any aggregate of cellulosic particles agglomerating formed at the continuation of the agglomeration of the particles when they are placed in contact with the material to be absorbed. Clod strength is defined as the ability to resistance of the clod to crumbling after a vibration time of five seconds.
According to an optional aspect, the cellulose absorbent is in the form of cellulosic particles having a particle size distribution giving absorbent desired absorbent and bonding properties. Preferably, at least 90%
particles are of a size to pass through a sieve understood between 4 and 60 mesh and at most 10% of the remaining particles pass through a sieve from 100 mesh. Optionally, at least 99% of the particles are of their size.
allowing to pass through a sieve between 8 and 60 mesh and not more than 1% of particles remaining passes through a 100 mesh screen. For example, the distribution granulometric cellulosic particles can be as shown in Table 2 following :
Table 2: Particle size distribution of cellulosic particles Minimum percentage of Maximum percentage of Sieve size particles (in (:) / 0) particles (in%) > 4 mesh 5 10 > 10 mesh 10 85 <70 mesh 2 5 <100 mesh 0.5 2 remainder 0 0.5 The fineness of the particles is an important physical property involved in the absorbent capacity and particle agglomeration capacity cellulosic when these are brought into contact with an absorbable material. Particles fine are preferred because they offer a larger contact surface between the mixed clumping and the material to be absorbed compared to larger particles.
A

good agglomeration allows to control the absorption rate and avoid that all unabsorbed liquid does not, for example, flow to the bottom of the container containing the cellulosic particles. In the case of use in litter by example, agglomeration of the particles prevents any liquid excretion from flowing into the bottom of litter box; liquid excretion only passes through a few centimeters thickness of litter, thus preventing the development of odors by liquid stagnation basically Tray. The clods formed can then be easily removed by a user at using a suitable shovel, for example.
According to an optional aspect, the absorbent cellulosic particles can have a concentration by weight of cellulosic fibers of at least 50 to 75% and a concentration by weight of the binding agent of at most 25%. The concentration in weight of cellulosic fibers can also be 80% and the concentration in weight 20% binding agent.
According to another optional aspect, the absorbent cellulose particles agglomerating may have a cellulosic fiber concentration by weight of at least 74 %, a concentration by weight of the binding agent of not more than 19% and a concentration of weight of agglomerating mixture of not more than 7%.
For example, absorbent cellulosic particles and particles cellulosic caking absorbents may have a composition as defined in the Table 3 below:
Table 3: Composition of cellulosic particles Absorbent cellulose particles Absorbent cellulose particles agglomerating 1) 47-70% cellulosic fibers 1) 50-75% cellulosic fibers ( (sludge, paper or combination of sludge, paper or combination of these) these) 2) not more than 19% binding agent 2) not more than 20% binding agent 3) 7% agglomerating mixture (% by weight relative to the total weight (% by weight relative to the total weight particle) *
particle) *
* The complement to 100% being made by the ash content.

According to an optional aspect, for example during use in litter or for a product including cellulose particles as defined above, it is possible to add cellulosic particles indicator particles that can change from color when they come into contact with excretions. The particles indicators can include a chromogenic agent and an oxidizing agent. This allows for example to detect urinary diseases in animals when used in bedding.
Optionally, the litter can include at least 99% cellulosic particles and at most 1 % of indicator particles. Still optionally, the litter can include 0.04% to 0.2%
indicator particles.
The present invention also relates to a method of producing particles absorbent cellulosics including a binding agent and cellulosic fibers issues of sludge, paper or a combination thereof. The process includes the following steps :
mixing sludge and / or paper into a wet paste;
addition of a binding agent to the wet pulp to allow the cohesion of the fibers cellulosics by gelation of the binding agent to form a gelled paste;
and converting the gelled paste to form the cellulosic particles absorbent.
Paper sludge has the advantage of having a high humidity allowing form, during the mixing step, a wet paste having a consistency and a content adequate water to receive the binding agent. Optionally, the method can include a dough humidity adjustment step. This can be done by addition water or by sludge drying according to the desired humidity. Optionally, paper can be added to the sludge mixture in order to incorporate fibers into the wet pulp more cellulosic greater length than that of the fibers from the sludge. Paper can also to allow reduce the humidity or ash content of the dough. The paper does not have need to be moistened beforehand and takes advantage of the water content of the wet sludge with which ones it is mixed. The humidity of the dough is also an influencing parameter efficiency of the mixing step. Optionally, the wet pulp can have 10 and 50% in weight of water relative to the total weight of the dough. In addition, she may have a content ash less than 25% by weight relative to the total weight of the dough, preferably between 15% and 20% by weight relative to the total weight of the dough. Still optionally, the mixing step can be carried out in a mixer with strong shear. It is however understood that the present method is not limited to To the use of a high shear mixer and includes the use of a mixer or a rotary mixer for example.
Knowing that paper sludge, such as de-inking sludge, can contain microorganisms, a pre-treatment step can be included to method set out above in order to sanitize the sludge before the mixing step.
This pre-treatment step may include the addition of a sanitizing agent to the sludge paper mills. The disinfectant can be added as a powder or as a within 10 even paper sludge. Optionally, the pre-treatment may include a heat treatment in the presence of hydrogen peroxide (H202), baking soda sodium (NaHCO3), sodium hypochlorite (Na0C1), Chloramine-T and / or Again essential oils such as thymol. Heat treatment in presence of hydrogen peroxide is preferred.
In an optional aspect, the binding agent can be added to the wet paste.
in the form of dry powder, colloidal agent, emulsion or gel to form a paste gelled. As described above, the gelation of the binding agent has for function of bind the various cellulosic fibers together, including the short and long fibers, forming a gel matrix. Optionally, it may be desirable to add water so 20 to facilitate gelation of the binding agent. It is understood that the process is not limited to a subsequent addition of binding agent to the sludge mixing step and / or paper in a wet paste. The addition of the binding agent can be done simultaneously with the stage of mixing within the mixer or even simultaneously with the conversion step of the gel paste in absorbent cellulose particles.
Figures 9, 10 and 11 illustrate possible options for step addition of agent binder to wet paste. According to Figure 9, the binding agent can be added as soon as the first one mixing step within the mixer itself. According to Figure 10, the binding agent may also be added to the wet paste at the outlet of the mixer and before to achieve the conversion step, in an extruder for example. According to Figure 11, the agent binder can be added during the conversion step. For example, during a step extrusion, the binding agent can be added through the injection ports of the extruder.
The binding agent can be injected in gelled form (gelation outside the extruder) or way to gel in the extruder (internal gelation). he is also possible to add each of the raw materials in the extruder so that they are mixed in a section upstream of the extruder.
According to an optional aspect, the step of converting the gelled paste into particles absorbent cellulosics may include an extrusion step, a cubage, one granulation step, a pelletizing step, a pelletization step or a step compaction to form absorbent cellulosic particles from dough gelled. The conversion step can optionally include a step subsequent to reduction in size, such as a grinding step, when the devices used for conversion do not make it possible to obtain cellulosic particles whose particle size distribution is as defined above.
For example, the use of an extruder equipped with rotating knives in exit from the sector, as shown in Figure 12, converts the gelled paste into absorbent extrudates and simultaneously achieve a reduction in the size of the absorbent extrudates to train absorbent cellulose particles. In this case, to reach the distribution particle size desired, at least two rotary cutter extruders can to be used in parallel and / or the speed of rotation of the expensive ones is modified for one extruder. Each extruder being set to a die size different, so to obtain particles of different size for each sector and constitute the distribution particle size desired by grouping the types of particles.
Optionally, the extrusion step can be done in an extruder classic type single or twin screw. Depending on the die size of the extruder, it is possible that the dough gelled is converted into absorbent extrudates which are not sized suitable for a use as absorbent cellulosic particles according to this invention.
A subsequent size reduction step, such as a grinding step, would be then desirable in order to obtain the cellulosic particles of size adequate. A
twin-screw extruder, as shown in Figure 14, can be used during the stage of conversion. It includes two series of mixing elements used to gel the dough of uniform way. The extruder is divided into sections (1 to 11) of different lengths, within which the two screws can have a different screw pitch. The step ratios screws relative to the length of the section are indicative in the Figure 14. The annotations KB45 and KB90 indicate the angle of the screw pitches.
The port injection A is intended for solids and allows the introduction of sludge paper mills and / or paper in the extruder. This port A also allows you to optionally introduce the agent binder in powder form. The second injection port B and the third port injection C
are intended for adding liquid. These ports B and C can therefore be optionally used to introduce any liquid, such as water or the binding agent under form emulsion, gel or solution.
Optionally, the die size of the extruder can be adapted from way to obtain cellulosic particles of the desired size without resorting to a step subsequent size reduction by grinding.
According to an optional aspect, the conversion step is carried out at a temperature between 10 and 105 C. This temperature depends on the type of conversion carried out and the devices used, for example according to extrusion, cubage, granulation, the pelletizing, pelletizing or compaction. The cubage can be made at ambient temperature while extrusion may require or produce heat.
The temperature used during an extrusion varies between 20 C and 105 C depending on pressure, the shear force and the nature of the gelling agent. Optionally, the process can include temperature control during the extrusion step, in order to to ensure a good gelation of the binding agent and control the evaporation of water contained in the wet paste. In contact with the water contained in the paste and, if applicable, of the heat, the binding agent gels and forms a gel matrix. Fibers cellulosic are then bound by this gel matrix.
According to an optional aspect, the cellulosic particles resulting from the step of conversion are cylindrical in shape. It is understood that the shape of the particles cellulose is not limited to a cylindrical shape and includes spherical, cubic, ovoid and others possible depending on the devices used during the conversion step.
According to an optional aspect, the method can include a step of drying the particles cellulose, subsequent to the conversion step. Optionally, in the case where the converting step includes a downsizing step, such as a grinding, the drying can be done before this size reduction step. Note that in some cases, drying can be done by evaporation during the step extrusion.

According to an optional aspect, the method may include a step of sieving the particles cellulose, subsequent to the conversion step. Sieving is a step making it possible to control the production of fine cellulosic particles according to the distribution particle size defined above, in particular in Table 2. The step of sieving includes passage of cellulosic particles through different sieves, such as a succession of sieves> 4 mesh,> 10 mesh, <70 mesh and <100 mesh.
According to Figure 13, the process includes a pulp conversion step gelled in extruded granules, a step of grinding into cellulosic particles as well just a step sieving in order to sort the cellulose particles according to the particle size desired.
According to an optional aspect, the method includes, after the conversion step, a stage adding an agglomerating mixture to the cellulosic particles in order to coat a outer surface for cellulosic particles to agglomerate on contact of a material to be absorbed. The agglomerating mixture is added at the end to the particles absorbent cellulosics to improve absorption and give them a capacity clumping into clods. Agglomerating absorbent cellulose particles are thus produced. The matrix structure gelled thanks to the binding agent allows to establish a cohesion between the cellulosic fibers and, therefore, the particles cellulosic can thus more easily agglomerate between them in the presence of a strong excretion liquid for example.
Optionally, the step of adding the agglomerating mixture can be carried out in a mixer, mixer or even rotary mixer. As defined previously, the caking mixture can include at least one surfactant and at least one agent binder, layered from the outer surface of the structure matrix.
Surfactant is added first in order to wet the outer surface of the structure matrix, and allow the bonding agent to adhere to the particle cellulosic.
Optionally, each of the constituents of the agglomerating mixture can be added on the external surface of the cellulose particles by vaporization, sprinkling, atomization, dispersion or any similar technique making it possible to uniformly distribute the mixed agglomerating on the outer surface of the cellulosic particles in the order chosen for layers.

It is understood that the agglomerating mixture can include several surfactants.
and many agglomerating agents. These can be distributed over the surface of the particles successively in a specific order or simultaneously depending on the arrangement from desired layers.
According to an optional aspect, the step of adding the agglomerating mixture can include the deposition of a first layer including at least one surfactant on the outer surface of the gel matrix structure; and the deposition of a second layer including at least one agglomerating agent on the first layer.
According to an optional aspect, a third layer can be deposited on the second layer, the third layer including at least one agglomerating agent, identical or different from that contained in the second layer;
at least one surfactant, identical or different from that contained in the first lying down; Where an odor control agent.
According to an optional aspect, the step of adding the agglomerating mixture can include the deposition of a final layer comprising at least one surfactant, allowing to speed up absorption of any absorbable material within the cellulosic particle.
According to an optional aspect of the invention, the odor control agent can be added simultaneously with the conversion step.
EXAMPLES
Experiments were carried out in order to evaluate various parameters in particular characterizing the absorption of cellulosic particles according to this invention.
All the particles studied were used as litter in a tray of one depth of 16.5 cm.
Dosimetry, i.e. the calculation of the release of ammonia over time, was carried out by enclosing in a container 350mL of the litter and a solution of 50 g water added with 0.012 g of urease and 7.5g of urea. The release of ammonia is determined through a tube inserted into the closed container. The density of particles is evaluated on a standard volume of 324 mL of litter. The index of free swelling (FSC: Fluid Swelling Capacity) of the particles is calculated by submerging 0.5 g of particles in water for 1 minute. The particles are then dried for a given period of time then the amount of water retained is then calculated.
Example 1 Table 4: Dosimetry of agglomerating cellulose particles (including 10 agglomerating mixture) according to the composition of the wet dough Gray Sludge Blend Newspaper Release Starch wet pulp deinked but ammonia (ppm) after 48h 87.75% 9.75% 2.5% 12.3 60% 40% 0% 17.5 III 54.30% 36.70% 9% 20 Figure 15 represents in graphical form the results of Table 4 below.
above.
Table 4 and Figure 15 show that the particles being produced at go from wet paste mixture comprising the most deinking sludge (90%) and including the binding agent (corn starch) obtain the lowest dosimetry.
Example 2 Table 5 allows a comparison between particles cellulosic existing on the market (A, B, C and D) and cellulose particles absorbent according to the present invention (E, from mixture I of Table 4).
20 Table 5: Comparative results of existing absorbent bedding ABCD grain size Characterization Strips thickness thickness thickness Mixture I
Kraft paper pellets average average average 90% more than of 3 mm of granules: 5.38 of the 2.36 mm width and mm granules: granules:
80 mm - Length 4.2 mm 4.2 mm long average of - Length - Length compressed granules: 12.6 medium medium in mm of accordion granules: granules:
30 mm 30 mm Fine dust 0.20 0.08 0.03 0.3 (h) Humidity (%) 9.5 8.3 6.8 10.83 5.5 FSC * (%) 2300 510 242 173 400 Speed> 1.4 27 14 12 7 acquisition (s) Capacity Low *** Low *** Low *** Low *** 105 of absorption (%) Density (lbs / p13) **** 16.2 33.2 34 15 Capacity at Impossible Impossible Impossible Impossible Yes agglomerate Dosimetry 50 (22h) 27.2 48 45 Less than 20 Urease (ppm) Others - blocker - Presence of gray color gray color Gray color, observations of ammonia bicarbonate a lot a lot good strength mentioned - Green color of impurities of clod impurities with but seems - Granules (plastic, (plastic, the formula insufficient, wood defeats) wood) agglomerating.
- water mechanically dripped and crumbly still after 30m in.
* FSC: Free Swelling Capacity absorption of particles when submerged in a liquid for a given time).
** The water is found at the bottom of the tank without being absorbed.
*** The measuring devices used were not able to quantify the capacity absorption of the liquid because these particles had little or no properties agglomerating.
**** Too scattered to be measured.
According to an optional aspect, the dosimetry after 48 hours can be less than 25 ppm and preferably less than 20 ppm. Based on the dosimetry results of the Table 5, the cellulose absorbent according to the present invention has a better rate odor absorption.

Example 3 Table 6 summarizes the results for root ball strength, density and dosimetry for absorbent and agglomerating cellulose particles (including the mixture binder according to an optional aspect of the present invention). The particles studied were produced from three mixtures (IV, V and VI) defined below.
Table 6: Physical properties of the agglomerating particles produced at go dough mixtures IV, V and VI
IV V VI
Clod force 78.73 79.44 79.27 (Vo) Density 12.0 14.9 17.5 (I b / ft3) (%) Mixture IV: 5% sodium bentonite and 95% deinking sludge;
Mixture V: 10% sodium bentonite and 90% deinking sludge; and Mixture VI: 20% sodium bentonite and 80% deinking sludge.
Table 6 shows that the root ball strength is generally the same some be the base mix. This is explained by the fact that the method according to the present invention allows to obtain agglomerating cellulosic particles devoid of protrusions and offering a large area of agglomeration whatever the composition of dough gelled base.
Table 6 also shows that an increase in the amount of clay (bentonite sodium as a binding agent) increases the density of the particles agglomerating and thus reduce their volatility and scattering.
Table 6 also shows that an increase in the amount of fiber (through the increase in the percentage of sludge in the dough) leads to a capacity greater absorption.
Example 4 Table 7 below lists different dough recipes (Blend) carried out and the Table 7 lists the moisture content of the paste and absorption of the liquid particles devoid of the agglomerating mixture.

Table 7: Composition of the different wet pulp mixes in portions Journal Sludge Sludge Gum Gum Starch corn guar brown grays xanthan Blend 1 30 70 0 0 0 0 Blend 2 17 83 0 0 0 0 Blend 3 20 0 80 0 0 0 Blend 4 70 30 0 0 0 0 Blend 5 70 30 0 10 0 0 Blend 6 70 30 0 0 10 0 Blend 7 70 30 0 0 0 10 Table 8 Humidity FSC absorption [/ 0] [Vo]
Blend 1 38.30 1150 Blend 2 43.48 646 Blend 3 49.18 604 Blend 4 15.72 1359 Blend 5 28.03 1032 Blend 6 18.23 1799 Blend 7 20.05 1243 We see that it is from blend 6 containing a low rate humidity (about 18%) and which is made up of the three ingredients paper, mud and binder, that we obtains cellulosic particles with the best absorption capacity some cash.
In addition, for a similar humidity level, an improvement in absorption 30% between blend 4 and blend 6.
It is understood that each of the above-mentioned aspects relating to particles cellulosics can be combined with any of the above aspects mentioned concerning the manufacturing process of the particles, unless incompatible obvious. Through example, in the process, the step of adding the agglomerating mixture can be adapted in order to achieve all the variants of layers described in relation to particles cellulosic.
The absorbent (combination of slurry, paper and binding agent) can to be used as a substrate in a litter as described in patent applications following:
CA 2,688,496, US 61 / 329,150 and PCT / CA2011 / 000502 and all requests corresponding. These requests are incorporated into this document by reference.

Claims (63)

29 1. A litter including:
absorbent particles, comprising:
cellulosic fibers distributed within a structure matrix, the cellulose fibers coming from sludge stationery, of paper or a combination thereof;
a binding agent comprising a clay, the binding agent making it possible to maintain cellulose fibers distributed throughout the structure matrix; and a disinfecting agent chosen from the group comprising H202, NaHCO3, NaOCl, chloramine-T and mixtures thereof; and at least one surfactant. 2. The litter according to claim 1, wherein the paper sludge include de-inking sludge. 3. The litter according to claim 2, wherein at least 50% by weight fibers cellulosics come from de-inking sludge. 4. The litter according to claim 2 or 3, wherein all of the fibers cellulosics come from de-inking sludge. 5. The litter according to claim 2 or 3, wherein at least part fibers cellulosics are made from recycled paper. 6. The litter according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein fibers cellulosics are distributed substantially evenly within the Matrix structure. 7. The litter according to claim 6, wherein the cellulosic fibers are substantially aligned along an axis of the matrix structure.
Date Received / Date Received 2021-04-07 8. The litter according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the fibers cellulosics are sufficiently aligned to reduce or eliminate the presence of protrusions on a contact surface of the matrix structure. 9. The litter according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein fibers cellulosics have a length between 0.1 and 10 mm. 10. The litter according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein 5 to 50%
cellulosic fibers have a length of between 0.1 and 3.5 mm. 11. The litter according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the agent binder further comprises a component which is derived from an organic colloid. 12. The litter according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the agent binder further comprises a component which is derived from a colloid inorganic. 13. The litter according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the agent binder includes guar gum, galactomannan gum, gum xanthan, methylcellulose, hydroxypropyl-methylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, corn starch, wheat starch, cassava starch, potato starch, lignin, lignin derivatives or a combination of these. 14. The litter according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the agent binder comprises a super-absorbent comprising polyvinyl alcohol, a polyacrylate, pre-gelatinized wheat starch, pre-gelatinized corn starch or a combination of these. 15. The litter according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the agent disinfectant includes NaHCO3. 16. The litter according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein clay includes montmorillonite, calcium bentonite, sodium bentonite, attapulgite, sepiolite or a combination of these.
Date Received / Date Received 2021-04-07 17. The litter of claim 16, wherein the clay comprises bentonite calcium, sodium bentonite or a combination of these. 18. The litter of claim 16 or 17, wherein the particles absorbent include at most 25% by weight of clay relative to the total weight of absorbent particles. 19. The litter according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the absorbent particles have a concentration by weight of cellulosic fibers between 50% and 75%, and a concentration by weight of the binding agent at plus 20%. 20. The litter according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein at least a portion of the absorbent particles comprises an agglomerating mixture distributed on an external surface of the matrix structure so that the particles absorbents may agglomerate on contact with the material. 21. The litter of claim 20, wherein the agglomerating mixture comprises the at least one surfactant and at least one caking agent. 22. The litter of claim 21, wherein the particles absorbent comprise a first layer comprising the at least one surfactant which is deposited on the external surface of the matrix structure, and a second lying down comprising the at least one agglomerating agent which is deposited on the first lying down. 23. The litter of claim 21, wherein the particles absorbent comprise a plurality of layers deposited successively from the outer surface of the matrix structure, each layer comprising the at less a surfactant or the at least one agglomerating agent. 24. The litter of claim 21, wherein the at least one surfactant comprises a first surfactant and a second surfactant, and the particles absorbents include:
Date Received / Date Received 2021-04-07 a first layer deposited on the external surface of the structure matrix, the first layer comprising the first surfactant;
a second layer deposited on the first layer, the second layer comprising the at least one agglomerating agent; and a third layer deposited on the second layer, the third layer comprising the second surfactant. 25. The litter according to any one of claims 21 to 24, in which at least one surfactant is selected from the group comprising sodium lauryl sulfate, polyethylene glycol p- (1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyI) -phenyl ether, analogues of these and mixtures thereof. 26. The litter according to any one of claims 21 to 25, in which at least one surfactant comprises a nonionic surfactant selected from the group comprising primary alcohols, ethyl phenoxy polyethoxy ethanol, analogs thereof and mixtures thereof. 27. The litter according to any one of claims 21 to 26, in which at less one agglomerating agent includes guar gum, xanthan gum, carboxymethylcellulose, polyethylene oxide, analogs thereof Where mixtures thereof. 28. The litter according to any one of claims 1 to 27, comprising a agent odor controller reducing or eliminating the release of odors that can result of the material. 29. The litter of claim 28, wherein the particles absorbent include a layer comprising the odor control agent. 30. The litter according to any one of claims 21 to 29, in which ones absorbent particles comprise a penultimate layer comprising the odor control agent and a final layer comprising the at least one surfactant.
Date Received / Date Received 2021-04-07 31. The litter according to any one of claims 28 to 30, in which agent odor controller is a urease inhibitor agent. 32. The litter of claim 31, wherein the inhibiting agent urease is chosen from the group comprising N (n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide, cyclohexyl thiophosphoric triamide, N- (N-butyl) phosphoric triamide, cyclohexyl phosphoric triamide, N-aliphatic triamide and N, N-aliphatic phosphoric triamide, phosphorotriamides, 4-aminophenyl sulphonyl amino phenyl phosphorodiamidates, N- (diaminophosphinyl) arylcarboxamines, polysulfides, ferric sulfate, thiosulphates, ricinoleates, mixtures thereof and analogs thereof. 33. The litter according to any one of claims 1 to 32, wherein the Absorbent particles have a particle size between 4 and 100 mesh. 34. The litter of claim 33, wherein the particles absorbent have a particle size distribution according to which at least 90% of the particles absorbent has a particle size between 4 and 60 mesh, and not more than 10%
absorbent particles have a particle size of less than 100 mesh. 35. The litter of claim 33 or 34, wherein the particles absorbent have a particle size distribution that at least 95% of the particles absorbent has a particle size between 8 and 60 mesh, at most 5% has a particle size of less than 70 mesh and not more than 2% of the particles Absorbents has a particle size of less than 100 mesh. 36. The litter according to any one of claims 1 to 35, wherein the Absorbent particles have a density between 15 and 40 lbs / ft3. 37. The litter according to any one of claims 20 to 36, in which ones absorbent particles have a concentration by weight of cellulosic fibers between 45 and 70%.
Date Received / Date Received 2021-04-07 38. The litter of claim 37, wherein the binding agent has a concentration by weight of not more than 19% and the binder mixture has a concentration by weight at most 7%. 39. The litter according to any one of claims 1 to 38, wherein the absorbent particles have a substantially cylindrical shape. 40. The litter according to any one of claims 1 to 39, comprising from additional indicator particles which may change color when they are come into contact with excretions, the indicator particles including a chromogenic agent and an oxidizing agent. 41. The litter according to claim 40, comprising at least 99% of particles absorbent and not more than 1% indicator particles. 42. The litter according to claim 40 or 41, comprising 0.04% to 0.2% of particles indicators. 43. A method of making a litter comprising particles absorbent, the process comprising the following steps:
mixing of paper sludge and / or paper, then addition of an agent disinfectant with the mixture of sludge and / or paper, the agent disinfectant being chosen from the group comprising H202, NaHCO3, NaOCl, chloramine-T and mixtures thereof, to form a wet pulp comprising cellulose fibers addition of at least one surfactant;
addition of a binding agent to the wet pulp to allow cohesion cellulosic fibers by gelation of the binding agent forming a gel paste, the binding agent comprising a clay; and converting the gelled paste to form the absorbent particles.
Date Received / Date Received 2021-04-07 44. The method of claim 43, wherein the disinfecting agent is NaHCO3. 45. The method of claim 43 or 44, further comprising a adjustment moisture in the paper sludge. 46. The method according to any one of claims 43 to 45, wherein step for converting the gelled paste comprises a step of extruding the paste gelled into absorbent extrudates and a step of reducing the size of extrudates absorbents to form the absorbent particles. 47. The method of claim 46, wherein the step of reducing cut is a grinding step. 48. The method according to any one of claims 43 to 45, wherein step for converting the gelled paste comprises a step of cubing, of granulation, pelletizing, pelletizing or compaction to form particles absorbent. 49. The method according to any one of claims 43 to 48, comprising, after the conversion step, a step of drying the absorbent particles in order to to obtain absorbent particles with a humidity between 4% and 12%. 50. The method according to any one of claims 43 to 48, comprising, after the conversion step, a step of sieving the absorbent particles according to a defined particle size distribution 51. The method according to any one of claims 43 to 50, comprising, after the conversion step, a step of adding an agglomerating mixture to the particles absorbent to coat an outer surface so that particles absorbents agglomerate on contact with a material to be absorbed.
Date Received / Date Received 2021-04-07 52. The method of claim 51, wherein the step of adding a mixed binder includes at least the deposition of a first layer comprising at least one surfactant on the outer surface of the matrix structure; and the deposition of a second layer comprising at least one agent binder on the first layer. 53. The method of claim 52, wherein the at least one surfactant is added in liquid form and the at least one agglomerating agent is added under powder form. 54. The method of claim 52 or 53, wherein a third lying down comprising at least one surfactant is deposited on the second layer. 55. The method according to any one of claims 51 to 54, wherein step for adding an agglomerating mixture comprises depositing a layer comprising an odor control agent on a previous layer comprising the at least a surfactant or the at least one controlling agent. 56. The method of claim 55, wherein the controlling agent odors is added in liquid form or in powder form. 57. The method according to any one of claims 43 to 56, wherein the steps of mixing into a wet paste and adding a binding agent to form a gelled paste are made simultaneously. 58. The method according to any one of claims 43 to 57, wherein the agent binder is added to the wet paste in the form of a dry powder, a agent colloidal, emulsion or gel. 59. The method according to any one of claims 43 to 58, wherein step of mixing into a wet paste is carried out in a mixer with strong shear.
Date Received / Date Received 2021-04-07 60. The method according to any one of claims 43 to 59, wherein dough wet has a water content between 10 and 65% by weight based on the total weight of wet dough. 61. The method of claim 60, wherein the water content of the dough wet is between 10 and 30% by weight. 62. The method according to any one of claims 43 to 61, wherein dough wet has an ash content of less than 25% by weight based on the weight total wet dough. 63. The method of claim 62, wherein the ash content of the wet pulp is between 15 and 20% by weight.
Date Received / Date Received 2021-04-07