WO2022109297A1

WO2022109297A1 - Dewatering of cellulose nanofibrils suspensions

Info

Publication number: WO2022109297A1
Application number: PCT/US2021/060133
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yulin Deng; Runan GAO; Kimberly L. NELSON
Original assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation
Priority date: 2020-11-19
Filing date: 2021-11-19
Publication date: 2022-05-27

Abstract

A fast and facile process for dewatering fibrous materials, in particular cellulose nanofibrils suspension to high solids content such that they do not agglomerate through hydrogen bonds and are rapidly redispersable in water with low energy input.

Description

DEWATERING OF CELLULOSE NANOFIBRILS SUSPENSIONS

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims benefit under 35 USC § 119(e) ofUS Provisional Patent Application No. 63/115,662 filed 19 November 2020, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference as if set forth herein in its entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not Applicable

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

[0003] Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING

[0004] Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR A JOINT INVENTOR

[0005] Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

1. Field of the Invention

[0006] The present invention relates to systems and methods of deliquifying dispersions. In particular, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to methods for fast and facile dewatering fibrous or nano-fibrous materials so that they are rapidly redispersable in water with low energy input. More particular, the present invention relates to methods for dewatering cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) and cellulose microfibrils (CMF) by a freeze -thaw process. In some cases, freeze-thaw- compressing can be repeated several cycles. The dried cellulose nanofibrils can be easily redispersed in aqueous solution.

2. Description of Related Art

[0007] Cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) and cellulose microfibrils (CMF) have received a tremendous level of attention over the past few years because of their wide applications in polymer reinforcement, paper coatings, barrier films, aerogel, absorbent, chemically tunable surface functionality, sustainable and renewability, etc. CNF/CMF consists of nano and micro-scale cellulosic fibers suspended in liquid and is mostly available in a consistency less than 5 wt% aqueous suspension. In most cases, CNFs and CMFs are produced as aqueous suspensions as typically required for extraction from pulp or biomass. In a CNF suspension, water is mostly in the form of adsorbed water associated with the cellulose surface and is tightly bound to the hydroxyl groups present in the amorphous regions through hydrogen bonding.

[0008] CNF/CMFs suspensions are produced on the pilot scale and are commercially available in the United States, Europe, Canada, and Japan. Although the CNF suspension has many different applications, the majority of the water, usually >95% of total mass, must be removed for many applications. Furthermore, even the water suspension can be directly used in some applications, to transport large amount of water in the suspension is very costly. Development of robust processes for dewatering CNFs while maintaining nanoscale morphology and chemistry is important.

CNF/CMF Dewatering

[0009] Many methods and techniques have been developed and applied to dewatering or drying CNF suspension. Common dewatering operations applied in laboratory are steam evaporation, vacuum filtration and centrifugation. However, because the CNF/CMF is extremely hydrophilic which can form hydrogel when the solid concentration is higher than 3 wt%, extreme high speed and long centrifugation or filtration time must be applied. The solid content of CNF in the suspension usually can only reach above 10-15%.

[0010] Another problem of CNF/CMF after water removing is that they undergo irreversible aggregation once dewatered to high solids (particularly when heat is applied such as in steam evaporation) and dried (films or powder). This is mainly due to the capacity of CNF/CMF to form hydrogen bonds between these high specific area nanofibers. Moreover, homification phenomenon during drying reveals the formation of additional hydrogen bonds between amorphous parts of the cellulosic nanofibers, thus, contributing to the aggregates irreversible formation. In addition, more stable hydrogen bonds are formed during drying and cannot be “broken” after rewetting. The fact of forming irreversible aggregates or even film-like material during water removal or drying strongly limits CNF/CMF transport and their applications. Therefore, techniques can effectively remove the water but does not affect the properties of CNF/CMF are needed.

[0011] One technique mixed wood particles with CNF/CMF slurry and found that a large portion of the adsorbed water turns into free water as a result of contact between nanofibrils of cellulose and wood particles, a phenomenon termed here as ‘contact dewatering’. Upon consolidation, a considerable amount of free water is removed from the wet furnish by pressing (mechanical dewatering) in a very short period of time and the remaining water in the system can be removed through filtration and centrifugation. However, the total water removal amount is limited and the wood powder added is difficult to be separated from CNF/CMF.

CNF/CMF Drying

[0012] Although these two processes have different final products, the dewatering process may be considered as part operation of drying. CNF/CMF drying technologies have also been patented ore published.

[0013] Another has reported the preparation of CNF/CMF dry powder by carboxymethylation of the initial substrate. Unfortunately, this strategy corresponds to a chemical treatment of CNF/CMF and the polymer added cannot be removed after dewatering. A spray drying strategy has also been used for drying of nanocellulose. However, the spry dried CNF/CMF powder cannot be redisperse to its original suspension in water.

[0014] Electroosmotic has been used to remove water from cellulose nanocrystals (CNC), which is different nanocellulose materials from CNF/CMF). However, the process is very slow, and the solid content could only increase from 2.3 to 15.3 wt%.

[0015] Another studied four different methods for drying cellulose nanocrystal and nanofibrillated cellulose suspensions, which including (1) oven drying, (2) freeze drying (FD), (3) supercritical drying (SCD), and (4) spray-drying (SD). They found that cellulose nanocrystal and nanofibrillated cellulose formed particles with a size distribution ranging from nanometer to several microns.

[0016] Adding salt to cellulose nanofibrils slurry to flocculate CNF and destroy its network to improve dewatering ability was studied, and when combined with pressure filtration the solid content was increased from 1.5 wt% to about 5 wt%. Another used cationic polyelectrolyte to flocculate CNF, then to separate flocculated CNF. These methods will change the chemistry and morphology of CNF, and the salt or polyelectroletes cannot be removed after dewatering so they have no practical application.

[0017] WO 2017/037349 discloses a method of dewatering nanocellulose and other water soluble of hydrophilic polymers. The method comprises providing an aqueous suspension formed by nanocellulose in water, the nanocellulose having free hydroxyl groups, mixing the aqueous suspension with an ionic liquid or eutectic solvent which is capable of hydrogen bonding to at least a part of the free hydroxyl groups to form a modified suspension, and evaporating off water from the modified suspension in order to dewater the nanocellulose. The nanocellulose stabilized in the water- free environment then allows for access to efficient and thorough water- free chemical modification procedures resulting in highly fibrillated products. However, the organic solvent consumption in this invention is still inescapable and ionic liquid is very costly.

[0018] WO 2015/068019 discloses a process for dewatering a slurry comprising micro fibrillated cellulose by subjecting the slurry to mechanical pressure, wherein the process comprises the steps of, providing a slurry comprising micro fibrillated cellulose and a liquid, subjecting the slurry to a first mechanical pressure in order to dewater the slurry, subjecting the slurry to a second mechanical pressure in order to further dewater the slurry, wherein the second pressure is higher than the first pressure. When the initial concentration of microfibrillated CNF is relatively low, however, it is easily for microfibrillated cellulose to escape under the pressure, which will cause a loss of microfibrillated cellulose.

[0019] WO 2013/121083 discloses a method for concentrating fibril cellulose including subjecting aqueous fibril cellulose at a concentration of not higher than 5% to pressure filtration where water is removed from the fibril cellulose by applying pressure to the aqueous fibril cellulose and continuing the pressure filtration continued to an end point where over 50% of the water initially present is removed from the fibril cellulose. However, in this process the small size CNF/MFC quickly blinds filtration media and leads to very slow, not commercially viable drainage rates.

[0020] WO 2014/072886 discloses a method for drying nanofibrillated polysaccharide product in particular nano/micro cellulose based products to obtain a substantially dry nanofibrillated cellulose product, comprising the steps of providing an aqueous suspension of nanofibrillated poly saccharide, increasing the solid content of the suspension by mechanical dewatering such as centrifugation and pressing, thereby forming a high solid content microfibrillated cellulose suspension, and drying the high solid content micro fibrillated cellulose suspension, through a simultaneous heating and mixing operation.

[0021] WO 2017/051030 discloses a supercritical CO2 cellulose spray-drying method comprising the steps of providing a first suspension of non-surface modified cellulose particles inaqueous liquid, which aqueous liquid is non-solubilizing for the non-surface modified nanocellulose particles, exchanging substantially all of the first aqueous liquid of the first suspension for a second solvent, which is miscible with the first aqueous liquid and non-solubilizing for the non-surface modified nanocellulose particles, to form a second suspension of non-surface modified nano cellulose particles in the second solvent, contacting a flow of the second suspension of non-surface modified nanocellulose particles with a flow of a fluid in a supercritical or critical state, which fluid in a supercritical or critical state is miscible with the second solvent and and/or temperature, to form the dry, water-dispersible nanocellulose particles, collecting the dry, water-dispersible, non-surface modified nanocellulose particles and/or forming the powderous composition comprising the particles, non-solvating for the non- surface modified nano-cellulose particles under conditions suitable for the transfer of substantially all of the second solvent into the supercritical fluid, and removing the second solvent and the fluid in a supercritical or critical state, preferably by controlling pressure.

[0022] WO 2011/139749 discloses a spray drying method for producing dried cellulose nanofibrils comprising atomizing an aqueous suspension of cellulose nanofibrils and introducing the atomized aqueous suspension into a drying chamber of a spray drying apparatus, introducing a drying gas into the drying chamber to evaporate a liquid portion of the aqueous suspension, thereby forming dried cellulose nanofibrils.

[0023] US Patent Publication No. 2011/0260348 discloses a method of producing dried cellulose nanofibrils includes atomizing an aqueous suspension of cellulose nanofibrils and introducing the atomized aqueous suspension into a drying chamber of a drying apparatus. The aqueous suspension is then dried, thereby forming substantially non-agglomerated dried cellulose nanofibrils.

[0024] Thus, conventional methods of dewatering cellulose nano fibrils can concentrate CNF/CMF in slurry to some extent, but tedious processes and chemicals sometimes are unavoidable. There is thus a need for a fast and facile process for dewatering fibrous materials, in particular cellulose nanofibrils suspension to high solids content such that they do not agglomerate through hydrogen bonds and are rapidly redispersable in water with low energy input.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0025] Briefly described, in an exemplary embodiment, the present invention is a method comprising forming a cooled dispersion from an initial dispersion comprising a material and a dispersion medium, the initial dispersion having an initial material content, forming a warmed dispersion from the cooled dispersion, the warmed dispersion having a warmed material content greater than the initial material content, and de liquifying the warmed dispersion forming a deliquified dispersion, the deliquified dispersion having a deliquified material content greater than the warmed material content. [0026] Forming the cooled dispersion can comprise freezing at least a portion of the initial dispersion.

[0027] Forming the warmed dispersion can comprises forming a thawed dispersion from the cooled dispersion and increasing the material content of the thawed dispersion. Forming the thawed dispersion comprises thawing at least a portion of the cooled dispersion.

[0028] Increasing the material content of the thawed dispersion can comprise removing a liquid form of at least a portion of the dispersion medium from the thawed dispersion. Increasing the material content of the thawed dispersion can comprises removing a solid form of at least a portion of the dispersion medium from the thawed dispersion. Increasing the material content of the thawed dispersion can comprise removing a gaseous form of at least a portion of the dispersion medium from the thawed dispersion.

[0029] Deliquifying the warmed dispersion can comprise one or more deliquifying processes selected from the group consisting of compressing, filtering, centrifuging, twisting, absorbing, evaporating, squeezing, and pouring.

[0030] In another exemplary embodiment, the present invention is a method for dewatering a slurry comprising fibrous or nano-fibrous materials. The slurry can comprise cellulose nanofibrils or micro fibrils (CNF/CMF) and a liquid. The method subjects the slurry to a freeze-thaw cycle and then mechanical pressure. The method can comprise providing a slurry comprising cellulose nano fibrils and a liquid, subjecting the CNF/CMF slurry to freezing below 0°C and then thawing above 0°C to obtained partially dewatered CNF slurry, wherein the freeze-thaw cycle may be repeated once to several cycles to obtain partly dewater the slurry, and subjecting the partially dewatered CNF slurry to one or more dewatering operations or their combinations, including compressing, filtration, centrifugation, twisting, absorption, evaporation, squeezing, pouring), wherein the dewatering operations may be repeated once to several times to obtain dewatered CNF/CMF slurry.

[0031] In another exemplary embodiment, the present invention is a process for dewatering a fibrous/nanofibrils slurry comprising a fibrous/nanofibrous material and a liquid, in particular CNF slurry, that comprises subjecting the slurry to freezing and then thawing, subsequently followed by one or more dewatering operations in particular mechanical pressure, wherein the process comprises the following steps providing a slurry comprising cellulose nano fibrils and a liquid, subjecting said slurry to freezing to obtain frozen slurry, subjecting the frozen slurry to thawing in order to partly dewater the CNF slurry, and subjecting the partly dewatered CMF slurry to one or more dewatering operations.

[0032] The fibrous/nanofibrous material can include natural and synthetic fibrous materials such as collagen fibers, silk fibers, cellulose nano-fibrils, chitin/chitosan nanofibrils, cellulose/chitin nanocrystals, poly(acrylic acid) fibers, polyvinyl alcohol fibers, polylactic acid fibers and polycaprolactone fibers etc.

[0033] The fibrous/nanofibrous material may be chemically of physically modified ones. Chemical additives and physical fillers such as sodium hydroxide, calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, CaCO₃, clay, CaCO₃, CaSO₄, TiO₂.

[0034] The freezing step can include use of commercially available ice, dry ice, liquid nitrogen or specially made ice making facilities which powered by electricity or use liquefied carbon oxide or liquefied nitrogen, which includes ice makers, cold rooms, rotary drum freezer, conveyor belt freezing system, etc.

[0035] The thawing step can include directly defrosting the frozen CNF slurry at room temperature or use specially made thawing systems including thawing rooms, defrosting containers, water thawing, radio frequency fields defrosting system, microwave thawing, high-pressure thawing, ohmic thawing, acoustic thawing system, etc.

[0036] The process can further comprise the steps of subjecting the slurry to the freezing-thawing cycle at least once, depending on fibrillation degree or diameter of cellulose nanofibrils.

[0037] The process can include subjecting partly dewatered CNF slurry to one or more dewatering operations which include but not limit to mechanical pressure, twist squeezing, pressure filtration, centrifugation, evaporation.

[0038] The process can include subjecting partly dewatered CNF slurry to mechanical pressure by contacting the partly dewatered CNF with one or more absorbing materials. The one or more absorbing materials can include cellulosic materials.

[0039] Subjecting the partly dewatered CNF slurry to mechanical pressure can be repeated at least once.

[0040] The partly dewatered CNF/CMF slurry can be subjected to mechanical pressure, wherein the pressure is preferably between 0.1 to 20 MPa, more preferably between 0.5 to 5 MPa, the even more preferably between 0.7 to 1 .4 MPa. [0041] The solid content of the CNF slurry before dewatering can be about 0.1-20% by weight.

[0042] The dry content of the dewatered MFC slurry can be about 1-65% by weight.

[0043] In another exemplary embodiment, the present invention is a method comprising first deliquifying a dispersion comprising a material and a dispersion medium and second deliquifying the dispersion, wherein the first deliquifying comprises freezing the dispersion to form a frozen dispersion, thawing the frozen dispersion to form a thawed dispersion, and increasing the material content of the thawed dispersion, and wherein the second deliquifying comprises deliquifying the first deliquified dispersion by one or more deliquifying processes selected from the group consisting of compressing, filtering, centrifuging, twisting, absorbing, evaporating, squeezing, and pouring.

[0044] A full cycle of the method can comprise performing the first deliquifying one or more times prior to the second deliquifying until a material content of the first deliquified dispersion is equal to or greater than a predetermined first material content and performing the second deliquifying one or more times until a material content of the second deliquified dispersion is equal to or greater than a predetermined second material content.

[0045] In another embodiment, a full cycle of the method can comprise consecutively performing the first deliquifying and then performing the second deliquifying and repeating the consecutively performing one or more times until a material content of the second deliquified dispersion is equal to or greater than a predetermined second material content.

[0046] In another embodiment, a full cycle of the method can comprise any combination of performing the first deliquifying one or more times prior to the second deliquifying until a material content of the first deliquified dispersion is equal to or greater than a predetermined first material content, performing the second deliquifying one or more times until a material content of the second deliquified dispersion is equal to or greater than a predetermined second material content, and consecutively performing the first deliquifying and then performing the second deliquifying, and repeating the consecutively performing one or more times until a material content of the second deliquified dispersion is equal to or greater than the predetermined second material content.

[0047] In another exemplary embodiment, the present invention is a method comprising first dewatering a dispersion comprising a material and a dispersion medium and second dewatering the dispersion, wherein the first dewatering comprises freezing the dispersion to form a frozen dispersion, thawing the frozen dispersion to form a thawed dispersion, and removing at least a portion of the thawed dispersion medium, increasing the material content of the thawed dispersion, and wherein the second dewatering comprises dewatering the first dewatering dispersion by one or more dewatering processes selected from the group consisting of compressing, filtering, centrifuging, twisting, absorbing, evaporating, squeezing, and pouring.

[0048] The dispersion can comprise a fibrous/nano fibrils slurry. The dispersion can comprise a cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) slurry. The dispersion can comprise a cellulose microfibrils (CMF) slurry. The dispersion can comprise a CNF/CMF slurry.

[0049] In another exemplary embodiment, the present invention is a method comprising freezing a slurry to form a frozen slurry, thawing the frozen dispersion to form a first thawed slurry, removing at least a portion of the liquid portion of the first thawed slurry to form a second thawed slurry, the second thawed slurry having a greater solids content than the first thawed slurry, and dewatering the second thawed slurry to form a dewatered slurry, the dewatered slurry having a greater solids content than the second thawed slurry.

[0050] The slurry can comprise a fibrous slurry. The slurry can comprise a fibrous slurry of natural and/or synthetic fibrous materials. The slurry can comprise a fibrous slurry of cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) and/or cellulose micro fibrils (CMF). The slurry can comprise a fibrous slurry, wherein the fibrous material is selected from the group consisting of collagen fibers, silk fibers, cellulose nano fibrils, chitin/chitosan nano fibrils, cellulose/chitin nanocrystals, poly(acrylic acid) fibers, polyvinyl alcohol fibers, polylactic acid fibers, polycaprolactone fibers, and combinations thereof. The slurry can comprise a fibrous slurry, wherein the fibrous material is selected from the group consisting of materials prepared from wood, bamboo, sisal, hemp, flax, kenaf, rice husk, coconut husk, com husk, algae, and combinations thereof.

[0051] The freezing can occur at or below 0°C. The thawing can occur above 0°C.

[0052] A single series of consecutive steps of freezing, thawing, removing and dewatering can be a full cycle, and the method can further comprise repeating the full cycle one or more times.

[0053] A single series of consecutive steps of freezing, thawing, and removing can be a sub cycle, and the method can further comprise repeating the sub cycle one or more times prior to dewatering.

[0054] A single series of consecutive steps of freezing, thawing, removing and dewatering can be a full cycle, and the method can further comprise repeating the dewatering one or more times after a full cycle.

[0055] The method can further comprise providing the slurry prior to freezing. The method can further comprise preparing the slurry prior to freezing. The method can further comprise preparing the slurry prior to freezing, wherein the solids of the slurry are produced by mechanical disintegration. The method can further comprise preparing the slurry prior to freezing, wherein the solids of the slurry comprise CNF and/or CMF, and wherein the solids of the slurry are produced by mechanical disintegration to isolate CNF/CMF from wood pulp. The method can further comprise preparing the slurry prior to freezing, wherein the solids of the slurry comprise CNF and/or CMF, wherein the solids of the slurry are produced by mechanical disintegration to isolate CNF/CMF from wood pulp, and wherein the type of mechanical disintegration is selected from the group consisting of homogenization, refining, grinding, and combinations thereof. The method can further comprise preparing the slurry prior to freezing, wherein the solids of the slurry comprise CNF and/or CMF, and wherein preparing comprises pretreatment. The method can further comprise preparing the slurry prior to freezing, wherein the solids of the slurry comprise CNF and/or CMF, wherein preparing comprises pretreatment, and wherein the pretreatment is selected from the group consisting of chemical pretreatment, enzymatic pretreatment, mechanical pretreatment, and a combination thereof.

[0056] The slurry can comprise a liquid selected from the group consisting of water, ethanol, methanol, tetrahydrofuran, and combinations thereof.

[0057] The slurry can have a solids content of from 0.1-20% by weight.

[0058] The slurry can comprise a fibrous slurry of cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) and/or cellulose micro fibrils (CMF) with a solids content of from 0.1-20% by weight.

[0059] Dewatering can comprise mechanical pressing. Dewatering can comprise mechanical pressing between 0.1 to 20 MPa. Dewatering can comprise mechanical pressing between 1 to 900 seconds. Dewatering can comprise mechanical pressing with an absorbing material. Dewatering can comprise mechanical pressing with an absorbing material selected from the group consisting of cotton, absorbent paper, and combinations thereof.

[0060] The method can further comprise vacuum filtrating the dewatered slurry until the solids content is at least 15% by weight. The method can further comprise vacuum filtrating the dewatered slurry until the solids content is at least 24% by weight. The method can further comprise vacuum filtrating the dewatered slurry between 10 to 3600 seconds.

[0061] The method can further comprise centrifugation of the dewatered slurry until the solids content is at least 10% by weight. The method can further comprise centrifugation of the dewatered slurry until the solids content is at least 30% by weight. The method can further comprise centrifugation of the dewatered slurry between 300 to 3600 seconds.

[0062] The dewatered slurry can have a solids content of at least 10% by weight. The dewatered slurry can have a solids content of at least 40% by weight. The dewatered slurry can have a solids content of at least 60% by weight. The dewatered slurry can have a solids content of from 10% to 65% by weight.

[0063] In another exemplary embodiment, the present invention is a method comprising performing a cycle of deliquifying steps that include first deliquifying a dispersion comprising a material and a liquid, and second deliquifying the dispersion, wherein the cycle comprises one or more of performing the first deliquifying one or more times prior to the second deliquifying until a material content of the first deliquified dispersion is equal to or greater than a predetermined first material content, performing the second deliquifying one or more times until a material content of the second deliquified dispersion is equal to or greater than a predetermined second material content, and consecutively performing the first deliquifying and then performing the second deliquifying, and repeating the consecutively performing one or more times until a material content of the second deliquified dispersion is equal to or greater than the predetermined second material content, wherein the first deliquifying comprises freezing the dispersion to form a frozen dispersion, thawing the frozen dispersion to form a thawed dispersion, and increasing the material content of the thawed dispersion, and wherein the second deliquifying comprises deliquifying the first deliquified dispersion by one or more deliquifying processes selected from the group consisting of compressing, filtering, centrifuging, twisting, absorbing, evaporating, squeezing, and pouring.

[0064] The material can comprise cellulosic material. The material can be selected from the group consisting of cellulose nanofibrils (CNF), cellulose microfibrils (CMF), and a combination thereof.

[0065] The liquid can be selected from the group consisting of water, ethanol, methanol, tetrahydrofuran, and combinations thereof.

[0066] Freezing can be performed by a freezing method applied to the dispersion selected from the group consisting of using ice, using dry ice, using liquid nitrogen, using liquid ammonia, using commercial ice making equipment, using commercial freezing equipment, and combinations thereof.

[0067] Freezing can comprise freezing at least a portion of the dispersion. Freezing can comprise freezing all of the dispersion. [0068] Thawing can be performed by a thawing method applied to the frozen dispersion selected from the group consisting of defrosting, microwaving, ohmic thawing, acoustic thawing, water thawing, high-pressure thawing, using heat exchangers, using heated tanks, using hot air conveyor systems, using thawing rooms, using defrosting containers, using radio frequency fields, and combinations thereof.

[0069] Thawing can comprise thawing at least a portion of the frozen dispersion. Thawing can comprise thawing all of the frozen dispersion.

[0070] Increasing the material content of the thawed dispersion can comprise removing a least a portion of the liquid from the thawed dispersion. Increasing the material content of the thawed dispersion can comprise removing a least a portion of the liquid from the thawed dispersion, wherein the removed liquid is substantially free of the material.

[0071] Increasing the material content of the thawed dispersion can comprise draining a least a portion of the liquid from the thawed dispersion away from the thawed dispersion, wherein the drained liquid is substantially free of the material.

[0072] Increasing the material content of the thawed dispersion can comprise removing a solid form of at least a portion of the liquid from the thawed dispersion. Increasing the material content of the thawed dispersion can comprise removing a solid form of at least a portion of the liquid from the thawed dispersion, wherein the removed solid is substantially free of the material. Increasing the material content of the thawed dispersion can comprise removing ice from the thawed dispersion, wherein the removed ice is substantially free of the material. Increasing the material content of the thawed dispersion can comprise removing a gaseous form of at least a portion of the liquid from the thawed dispersion.

[0073] Thawing the frozen dispersion to form a thawed dispersion can comprise heating the frozen dispersion to a temperature above a boiling point of the dispersion, wherein increasing the material content of the thawed dispersion comprises boiling away a gaseous form of at least a portion of the liquid from the thawed dispersion.

[0074] Thawing the frozen dispersion to form a thawed dispersion can comprise heating the frozen dispersion to a temperature above a boiling point of the dispersion, wherein increasing the material content of the thawed dispersion comprises boiling away a gaseous form of at least a portion of the liquid from the thawed dispersion, and wherein the removed gas is substantially free of the material. [0075] In another exemplary embodiment, the present invention is a method comprising performing a cycle of deliquifying steps that include first deliquifying a dispersion comprising a material and a liquid, and second deliquifying the dispersion, wherein the cycle comprises one or more of performing the first deliquifying one or more times prior to the second deliquifying until a material content of the first deliquified dispersion is equal to or greater than a predetermined first material content, performing the second deliquifying one or more times until a material content of the second deliquified dispersion is equal to or greater than a predetermined second material content, and consecutively performing the first deliquifying and then performing the second deliquifying, and repeating the consecutively performing one or more times until a material content of the second deliquified dispersion is equal to or greater than the predetermined second material content, wherein the first deliquifying comprises freezing the dispersion to form a frozen dispersion, thawing the frozen dispersion to form a thawed dispersion, and increasing the material content of the thawed dispersion, and wherein the second deliquifying comprises deliquifying the first deliquified dispersion by one or more deliquifying processes selected from the group consisting of compressing, filtering, centrifuging, twisting, absorbing, evaporating, squeezing, and pouring.

[0076] These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0077] The accompanying Figures, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several aspects described below.

[0078] FIG. 1 is a schematic of a process according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0079] FIG. 2 is a schematic of a mechanism of free-thaw-compressing dewatering according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0080] FIG. 3 is an optical microscope image of redispersed CNF according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0081] FIGS. 4A, 4B are macrophotographs of “CNF-ice” (FIG. 4A) and thawed CNF (FIG. 4B) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0082] FIG. 5 is an optical microscope image of film of CNF and FTCNF-C5 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [0083] FIG. 6 is a graph of stress-strain curves of films casted from original CNF, redispersed dewatered FTCNF-C1, and FTCNF-C5, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0084] Although preferred exemplary embodiments of the disclosure are explained in detail, it is to be understood that other exemplary embodiments are contemplated. Accordingly, it is not intended that the disclosure is limited in its scope to the details of construction and arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The disclosure is capable of other exemplary embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, in describing the preferred exemplary embodiments, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity.

[0085] As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0086] Also, in describing the preferred exemplary embodiments, terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. It is intended that each term contemplates its broadest meaning as understood by those skilled in the art and includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.

[0087] Ranges can be expressed herein as from “about” or “approximately” one particular value and/or to “about” or “approximately” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another exemplary embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value.

[0088] Using “comprising” or “including” or like terms means that at least the named compound, element, particle, or method step is present in the composition or article or method, but does not exclude the presence of other compounds, materials, particles, method steps, even if the other such compounds, material, particles, method steps have the same function as what is named.

[0089] Mention of one or more method steps does not preclude the presence of additional method steps or intervening method steps between those steps expressly identified. Similarly, it is also to be understood that the mention of one or more components in a device or system does not preclude the presence of additional components or intervening components between those components expressly identified. [0090] In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention is a process shown in FIG. 1 for dewatering a slurry comprising fibrous or nano-fibrous materials. In many embodiments, the process is particular for a slurry comprising cellulose nano fibrils or micro fibrils (CNF/CMF) and a liquid by subjecting the slurry to freeze -thaw and then mechanical pressure, wherein the process comprising providing a slurry comprising cellulose nanofibrils and a liquid, subjecting the CNF/CMF slurry to freezing below 0°C and then thawing above 0°C to obtained partially dewatered CNF slurry, wherein the freeze-thaw cycle may be repeated once to several cycles to obtain partly dewater the slurry, and subjecting the partially dewatered CNF slurry to one or more dewatering operations or their combinations, including compressing, filtration, centrifugation, twisting, absorption, evaporation, squeezing, pouring), wherein the dewatering operations may be repeated once to several times to obtain dewatered CNF/CMF slurry.

[0091] Various materials of the present slurry include, among others, cellulose nano fibrils (CNF), otherwise known as nanocellulose, microfibrillated/microfibrillar cellulose (MFC), nanofibrillated/nanofibrillar cellulose (NFC), cellulose microfibrils (CMF), and cellulose nanofibrils (CNF), which materials are prepared from a plant cellulose source, e.g. wood, bamboo, sisal, hemp, flax, kenaf, rice husk, coconut husk, com husk and algae. It can also be made from animal and bacterial cellulose source.

[0092] The present invention is not only suitable to cellulose based materials, but also other natural/synthesis fibrous/nano-fibrous materials or high molecular weight polymers can also be applied. For example, collagen fibers, chitin/chitosan (nano)fibers, cellulose nanocrystals/balls/particles, silk fibers, poly(acrylic acid) fibers, polyvinyl alcohol fibers, polylactic acid fibers and polycaprolactone fibers etc.

[0093] Preferably, the CNF/CMF is produced by mechanical disintegration with or without pretreatments. Mechanical delamination such as homogenization, refining and grinding are generally used to isolate CNF/CMF from wood pulp. Pretreatments including chemical, enzymatic and mechanical treatments sometimes are applied to reduce the high energetic costs. For instance, the introduction of charged groups via carboxymethlations or 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-l-oxyl (TEMPO) radical-mediated oxidation.

[0094] The “liquid” present in the slurry can include, but is not limited to water, ethanol, methanol, tetrahydrofuran, and other common organic solvents as well as their mixtures.

[0095] The solid content of the CNF/CMF slurry is typically from 0.1-20% by weight, a higher solid content is also applicable in accordance with specific conditions. [0096] Chemical or physical additives may be added in the CNF slurry before the present dewatering process: additives such as fillers, flocculation agent, wood powders, etc.

[0097] Pre-concentration of the CNF slurry may be carried out by means of centrifugation, pressure filtration, evaporation or mechanical pressing. The solid content of the pre-concentrated is variable as the case may be.

[0098] The freezing step of the present invention includes, but is not limited to, direct use of commercially available ice, dry ice, liquid nitrogen, liquid ammonia, or commercial ice making or freezing equipment which powered by electricity or other energies. The ice making facilities include commercial ice makers, refrigerators, cold rooms, rotary drum freezer, conveyor belt freezing system, etc.

[0099] The thawing step of the present invention includes, but is not limited to, directly defrosting the frozen slurry comprising cellulose nano fibrils at room temperature or thawing systems, including for example, heat exchangers, heated tanks, hot air conveyor systems, thawing rooms, defrosting containers, water thawing, radio frequency fields defrosting system, microwave thawing, high- pressure thawing, ohmic thawing, acoustic thawing system, etc. to obtain partly dewatered aqueous slurry comprising cellulose nanofibrils.

[0100] Depending on the fibrillation degree or diameter of CNF/CMF, the CNF/CMF slurry can be repeatedly subjected to a freeze-thaw cycle one or more times to obtain a partly dewatered CNF with a desired dry content. It is also possible to use other methods, such as evaporation, centrifugation, membrane separation, absorption, etc. to pre-concentrate the CNC/CNF slurry to best concentration for freeze-thaw operation.

[0101] As shown in FIG. 2, the CNF or pre-concentrated CNF slurry was subjected to the freezethaw cycles, where during the freezing process the CNF can be condensed by the growth of ice crystals, while the ice thaws, part of water was free from the slurry, the solid content was increased from 3.1 wt% to about 16 wt%. When a subsequent dewatering operation is applied, more water is removed from the slurry, whose final solid content was increased up to 51 wt%. After a redispersing, non-aggregate CNF slurry is regained.

[0102] The process of further dewatering CNF/CMF slurry can be achieved by, but is not limited to, any or a combination of dewatering operation including, mechanical pressure, absorption, twist squeezing, pressure filtration, centrifugation and evaporation, wherein the dewatering operations may be repeated once or several times to obtain the dewatered CNF/CMF slurry in a good way. [0103] In a preferred embodiment, the partly dewatered CNF/CMF slurry is subjected to mechanical pressing, wherein the pressure adopted depends on the specific circumstances. It is preferably between 0.1 to 20 MPa. The partly dewatered CNF/CMF slurry is subjected to pressure for a duration for 1 to 900 seconds. It is preferred that the partly dewatered CNF slurry is conducted between absorbing materials before the slurry is subjected to mechanical pressure. This dewatering operation may be repeated once to several times to obtain desired solid content.

[0104] The absorbing material can be many materials, including cellulosic material, such as cotton woven, absorbent paper, etc. The absorbing material can be collected and recycled in the method

[0105] In an exemplary embodiment, the partly dewatered CNF/CMF slurry is further subjected to vacuum filtration for a period from 10 to 3600 seconds, and a solids content from 15 to 24% by weight is obtained. Extended periods may be applied to obtain a higher solids content.

[0106] In another exemplary embodiment, the partly dewatered CNF/CMF slurry is further dewatered by centrifugation with 4000 g for 300 to 3600 seconds, and a solids content ranged from 10 to 30% by weight is obtained. Other centrifugal parameters may be applied to obtain a desired solid content.

[0107] The solids content of dewatered CNF/CMF slurry should not be less than 10% by weight, more preferably at least 1 1-40% by weight, the more preferably at least 41-65% by weight.

[0108] The final dewatered CNF/CMF slurry can be easily redispersed in aqueous solution simply by mechanical stir with for a few minutes to days, depending on the stirring speed, shear force, concentration of CNF/CMF in the solvents (water or ethanol or any common organic solvent). The agitation device can, be but is not limited to, in-line mixers, ultrasonication, homogenizers, emulsification devices, food processors, or any common dispersion devices.

[0109] The present freeze-thaw-compressing technology for cellulose nano- and micro-materials can be used alone, but also can be used in combination with other technologies, such as centrifugation, filtration, evaporation, pressing, absorbing etc. Different freeze-thaw operation equipment and processes can be applied.

[0110] For example, direct use commercially available or special made ice making equipment, including ice makers, cold rooms, conveyor belt freezing system, etc. to freeze the cellulose nano- micro-fibrils water slurry. And/or pre-concentrated suspensions can be used to desired solid content followed by freeze-thaw-compressing. A pre-concentration method can be, but is not limited to, any or their combination of centrifugation, vacuum filtration, pressing and evaporation. [0111] The present invention is not limited to water suspension, but also applicable to solvent suspensions, such as cellulose nano- and microfibril suspension in ethanol, methanol, tetrahydrofuran, and other common organic solvent as well as their mixtures.

[0112] As used herein, cellulose nanomaterial is a general term which is meant to include cellulose nano fibrils, cellulose micro fibrils, chemical or physical modified cellulose nano- or micromaterials, TEMPO ((2,2,6,6-Tetramethylpiperidin-l-yl)oxyl) oxidized cellulose nanofibrils, bacterial nanocellulose, and other chemical/mechanical methods produced cellulosic nano- or micromaterials.

[0113] The present invention can also be applied to those nano- or micro cellulose materials with different additives, such as surfactant, flocculation agent, and inorganic fillers (clay, CaCO i, CaSO4, TiO2, etc.).

[0114] The present invention can not only be used for a fibril type of cellulosic suspension, but also can be used for suspension of cellulose nanocrystal (CNC).

[0115] The present invention can also be used for separation polymer solutions, such as polyvinyl alcohol in water, carboxymethyl cellulose and its salts, starch solution, etc.

[0116] The present invention is not only suitable to cellulose based materials, but also other natural/synthesis fibrous/nano-fibrous materials or high molecular weight polymers can also be applied. For example, collagen fibers, chitin/chitosan (nano)fibers, cellulose nanocrystals/balls/particles, silk fibers, poly(acrylic acid) fibers, polyvinyl alcohol fibers, polylactic acid fibers and polycaprolactone fibers etc.

EXAMPLES

[0117] A CNF slurry with an initial solid content of about 3.05% by weight from the University of Maine was use as starting material. The particle size of CNF is 5-200 nm width and 130 nm to 225 pm. The CNF slurry was put in a cold room under -20 °C for 10 hours, whereafter, the frozen CNF slurry was taken out and tempered at room temperature. After the CNF slurry is totally defrosted, part of free water was separated from CNF slurry and poured out, then the partly dewatered CNF was wrapped in four-layered absorbent paper and fed into convey pressing machine. The partly concentrated CNF was compressed under a pressure of 0.68 MPa. After one convey pressing, a concentrated CNF slurry with solid content of 27.23% by weight was obtained. The dewatered cellulose slurry was redispersed in water by mechanical stir at 600 rpm for 30 min. FIG. 3 shows the optical microscope image of redispersed CNF. [0118] A CNF slurry prepared by homogenizer from bleached beech pulp, with an initial dry content of 1% by weight was pre- concentrated by vacuum filtration to obtain a slurry with a dry content of about 3.1 wt%. The slurry was fed into tube ice making machine (ColdSource,CST-TB3) to obtain the “CNF ice” (as shown in FIG. 4A) and then transfer the frozen CNF slurry to microwave thawing cabinet. After the part of bulk water was free from CNF slurry (as shown in FIG. 4B), wrap the partly slurry between cotton cloth and put it into compressing machine. The partly dewatered CNF slurry was compressed under IMPa for a period for 30 seconds. This process was repeated five times, whereafter a dewatered CNF slurry with a dry content of 57.14% was obtained. The cotton cloth was retrieved and a new one was put on before each compressing. The dewatered CNF suspension was redispersed by mechanical stir at 800 rpm for 60 min and diluted to 0.5% by weight. FIG. 5 shows the microscope image of redispersed CNF suspension. The redispersed CNF suspension was then casted into petri dish. CNF films were obtained after the water evaporation. FIG. 6 shows the stress-strain curves of films prepared from original CNF slurry and redispersed CNF slurry after dewatering and pressing five times (FTCNF-C5).

[0119] A TEMPO oxidized CNF (TEMPO-CNF) slurry with a dry content of 1.1 % by weight was used as starting material, 0.1 M NaOH solution was dropwise added into TEMPO-CNF slurry. The slurry was loaded in freeze -thaw cabinet. The freeze-thaw cycle was repeated six times, part of water separated from slurry was free from drain outlet. The partly dewatered TEMPO-CNF slurry was then compressed by pressing machine with a pressure of 2 MPa for 60 seconds and then the TEMPO- CNF slurry with dry content of 43% by weight was obtained- what were the redispersability test results- show pictures of redispersed gel obtained.

[0120] It will be clear to a person skilled in the art that features described in relation to any of the embodiments described above can be applicable interchangeably between the different embodiments. The embodiments described above are examples to illustrate various features of the invention.

[0121] The reader’s attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

[0122] Numerous characteristics and advantages have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of structure and function. While the invention has been disclosed in several forms, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications, additions, and deletions, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts, can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and its equivalents as set forth in the following claims. Therefore, other modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved as they fall within the breadth and scope of the claims here appended.

Claims

CLAIMS We claim:

1. A method comprising: forming a cooled dispersion from an initial dispersion comprising a material and a dispersion medium, the initial dispersion having an initial material content; forming a warmed dispersion from the cooled dispersion, the warmed dispersion having a warmed material content greater than the initial material content; and deliquifying the warmed dispersion forming a deliquified dispersion, the deliquified dispersion having a deliquified material content greater than the warmed material content.

2. The method of Claim 1, wherein forming the cooled dispersion comprises freezing at least a portion of the initial dispersion.

3. The method of Claim 2, wherein forming the warmed dispersion comprises: forming a thawed dispersion from the cooled dispersion; and increasing the material content of the thawed dispersion.

4. The method of Claim 3, wherein forming the thawed dispersion comprises thawing at least a portion of the cooled dispersion.

5. The method of Claim 3, wherein increasing the material content of the thawed dispersion comprises removing a liquid form of at least a portion of the dispersion medium from the thawed dispersion.

6. The method of Claim 3, wherein increasing the material content of the thawed dispersion comprises removing a solid form of at least a portion of the dispersion medium from the thawed dispersion.

7. The method of Claim 3, wherein increasing the material content of the thawed dispersion comprises removing a gaseous form of at least a portion of the dispersion medium from the thawed dispersion.

8. The method of Claim 3, wherein deliquifying the warmed dispersion comprises one or more deliquifying processes selected from the group consisting of compressing, filtering, centrifuging, twisting, absorbing, evaporating, squeezing, and pouring.

9. A method comprising: first deliquifying a dispersion comprising a material and a dispersion medium; and second deliquifying the dispersion; wherein the first deliquifying comprises: freezing the dispersion to form a frozen dispersion; thawing the frozen dispersion to form a thawed dispersion; and increasing the material content of the thawed dispersion; and wherein the second deliquifying comprises deliquifying the first deliquified dispersion by one or more deliquifying processes selected from the group consisting of compressing, filtering, centrifuging, twisting, absorbing, evaporating, squeezing, and pouring.

10. The method of Claim 9, wherein a full cycle of the method comprises: performing the first deliquifying one or more times prior to the second deliquifying until a material content of the first deliquified dispersion is equal to or greater than a predetermined first material content; and performing the second deliquifying one or more times until a material content of the second deliquified dispersion is equal to or greater than a predetermined second material content.

11. The method of Claim 9, wherein a full cycle of the method comprises: consecutively performing the first deliquifying and then performing the second deliquifying; and repeating the consecutively performing one or more times until a material content of the second deliquified dispersion is equal to or greater than a predetermined second material content.

12. The method of Claim 9, wherein a full cycle of the method comprises any combination of: performing the first deliquifying one or more times prior to the second deliquifying until a material content of the first deliquified dispersion is equal to or greater than a predetermined first material content; performing the second deliquifying one or more times until a material content of the second deliquified dispersion is equal to or greater than a predetermined second material content; and consecutively performing the first deliquifying and then performing the second deliquifying, and repeating the consecutively performing one or more times until a material content of the second deliquified dispersion is equal to or greater than the predetermined second material content.

13. A method comprising: first dewatering a dispersion comprising a material and a dispersion medium; and second dewatering the dispersion; wherein the first dewatering comprises: freezing the dispersion to form a frozen dispersion; thawing the frozen dispersion to form a thawed dispersion; and removing at least a portion of the thawed dispersion medium, increasing the material content of the thawed dispersion; and wherein the second dewatering comprises dewatering the first dewatering dispersion by one or more dewatering processes selected from the group consisting of compressing, filtering, centrifuging, twisting, absorbing, evaporating, squeezing, and pouring.

14. The method of Claim 13, wherein the dispersion comprises a fibrous/nanofibrils slurry.

15. The method of Claim 13, wherein the dispersion comprises a cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) slurry.

16. The method of Claim 13, wherein the dispersion comprises a cellulose micro fibrils (CMF) slurry.

17. The method of Claim 13, wherein the dispersion comprises a CNF/CMF slurry.

18. A method comprising: freezing a slurry to form a frozen slurry; thawing the frozen dispersion to form a first thawed slurry; removing at least a portion of the liquid portion of the first thawed slurry to form a second thawed slurry, the second thawed slurry having a greater solids content than the first thawed slurry; and dewatering the second thawed slurry to form a dewatered slurry, the dewatered slurry having a greater solids content than the second thawed slurry.

19. The method of Claim 18, wherein the slurry comprises a fibrous slurry.

20. The method of Claim 18, wherein the slurry comprises a fibrous slurry of natural and/or synthetic fibrous materials.

21. The method of Claim 18, wherein the slurry comprises a fibrous slurry of cellulose nano fibrils (CNF) and/or cellulose microfibrils (CMF).

22. The method of Claim 18, wherein the slurry comprises a fibrous slurry; and wherein the fibrous material is selected from the group consisting of collagen fibers, silk fibers, cellulose nanofibrils, chitin/chitosan nanofibrils, cellulose/chitin nanocrystals, poly(acrylic acid) fibers, polyvinyl alcohol fibers, polylactic acid fibers, polycaprolactone fibers, and combinations thereof.

23. The method of Claim 18, wherein the slurry comprises a fibrous slurry; and wherein the fibrous material is selected from the group consisting of materials prepared from wood, bamboo, sisal, hemp, flax, kenaf, rice husk, coconut husk, com husk, algae, and combinations thereof.

24. The method of Claim 18, wherein the freezing occurs at or below 0°C.

25. The method of Claim 18, wherein the thawing occurs above 0°C.

26. The method of Claim 18, wherein a single series of consecutive steps of freezing, thawing, removing and dewatering is a full cycle; and wherein the method further comprises repeating the full cycle one or more times.

27. The method of Claim 18, wherein a single series of consecutive steps of freezing, thawing, and removing is a sub cycle; and wherein the method further comprises repeating the sub cycle one or more times prior to dewatering.

28. The method of Claim 18, wherein a single series of consecutive steps of freezing, thawing, removing and dewatering is a full cycle; and wherein the method further comprises repeating the dewatering one or more times after a full cycle.

29. The method of Claim 18 further comprising providing the slurry prior to freezing.

30. The method of Claim 18 further comprising preparing the slurry prior to freezing.

31. The method of Claim 18 further comprising preparing the slurry prior to freezing; wherein the solids of the slurry are produced by mechanical disintegration.

32. The method of Claim 18 further comprising preparing the slurry prior to freezing; wherein the solids of the slurry comprise CNF and/or CMF; and wherein the solids of the slurry are produced by mechanical disintegration to isolate CNF/CMF from wood pulp.

33. The method of Claim 18 further comprising preparing the slurry prior to freezing; wherein the solids of the slurry comprise CNF and/or CMF; wherein the solids of the slurry are produced by mechanical disintegration to isolate CNF/CMF from wood pulp; and wherein the type of mechanical disintegration is selected from the group consisting of homogenization, refining, grinding, and combinations thereof.

34. The method of Claim 18 further comprising preparing the slurry prior to freezing; wherein the solids of the slurry comprise CNF and/or CMF; and wherein preparing comprises pretreatment.

35. The method of Claim 18 further comprising preparing the slurry prior to freezing; wherein the solids of the slurry comprise CNF and/or CMF; wherein preparing comprises pretreatment; and wherein the pretreatment is selected from the group consisting of chemical pretreatment, enzymatic pretreatment, mechanical pretreatment, and a combination thereof.

36. The method of Claim 18, wherein the slurry comprises a liquid selected from the group consisting of water, ethanol, methanol, tetrahydrofuran, and combinations thereof.

37. The method of Claim 18, wherein the slurry has a solids content of from 0.1 -20% by weight.

38. The method of Claim 18, wherein the slurry comprises a fibrous slurry of cellulose nanofibrils

(CNF) and/or cellulose microfibrils (CMF) with a solids content of from 0.1-20% by weight.

39. The method of Claim 18, wherein dewatering comprises mechanical pressing.

40. The method of Claim 18, wherein dewatering comprises mechanical pressing between 0. 1 to

20 MPa.

41. The method of Claim 18, wherein dewatering comprises mechanical pressing between 1 to 900 seconds.

42. The method of Claim 18, wherein dewatering comprises mechanical pressing with an absorbing material.

43. The method of Claim 18, wherein dewatering comprises mechanical pressing with an absorbing material selected from the group consisting of cotton, absorbent paper, and combinations thereof.

44. The method of Claim 18 further comprising vacuum filtrating the dewatered slurry until the solids content is at least 15% by weight.

45. The method of Claim 18 further comprising vacuum filtrating the dewatered slurry until the solids content is at least 24% by weight.

46. The method of Claim 18 further comprising vacuum filtrating the dewatered slurry between 10 to 3600 seconds.

47. The method of Claim 18 further comprising centrifugation of the dewatered slurry until the solids content is at least 10% by weight.

48. The method of Claim 18 further comprising centrifugation of the dewatered slurry until the solids content is at least 30% by weight.

49. The method of Claim 18 further comprising centrifugation of the dewatered slurry between 300 to 3600 seconds.

50. The method of Claim 18, wherein the dewatered slurry has a solids content of at least 10% by weight.

51. The method of Claim 18, wherein the dewatered slurry has a solids content of at least 40% by weight.

52. The method of Claim 18, wherein the dewatered slurry has a solids content of at least 60% by weight.

53. The method of Claim 18, wherein the dewatered slurry has a solids content of from 10% to 65% by weight.

54. A method comprising: performing a cycle of deliquifying steps that include: first deliquifying a dispersion comprising a material and a liquid; and second deliquifying the dispersion; wherein the cycle comprises one or more of: performing the first deliquifying one or more times prior to the second deliquifying until a material content of the first deliquified dispersion is equal to or greater than a predetermined first material content; performing the second deliquifying one or more times until a material content of the second deliquified dispersion is equal to or greater than a predetermined second material content; and consecutively performing the first deliquifying and then performing the second deliquifying, and repeating the consecutively performing one or more times until a material content of the second deliquified dispersion is equal to or greater than the predetermined second material content; wherein the first deliquifying comprises: freezing the dispersion to form a frozen dispersion; thawing the frozen dispersion to form a thawed dispersion; and increasing the material content of the thawed dispersion; and wherein the second deliquifying comprises deliquifying the first deliquified dispersion by one or more deliquifying processes selected from the group consisting of compressing, filtering, centrifuging, twisting, absorbing, evaporating, squeezing, and pouring.

55. The method of Claim 54, wherein the material comprises cellulosic material.

56. The method of Claim 54, wherein the material is selected from the group consisting of cellulose nanofibrils (CNF), cellulose microfibrils (CMF), and a combination thereof.

57. The method of Claim 54, wherein the liquid is selected from the group consisting of water, ethanol, methanol, tetrahydrofuran, and combinations thereof.

58. The method of Claim 54, wherein the liquid comprises water.

59. The method of Claim 54, wherein freezing is performed by a freezing method applied to the dispersion selected from the group consisting of using ice, using dry ice, using liquid nitrogen, using liquid ammonia, using commercial ice making equipment, using commercial freezing equipment, and combinations thereof.

60. The method of Claim 54, wherein freezing comprises freezing at least a portion of the dispersion.

61. The method of Claim 54, wherein freezing comprises freezing all of the dispersion.

62. The method of Claim 54, wherein thawing is performed by a thawing method applied to the frozen dispersion selected from the group consisting of defrosting, microwaving, ohmic thawing, acoustic thawing, water thawing, high-pressure thawing, using heat exchangers, using heated tanks, using hot air conveyor systems, using thawing rooms, using defrosting containers, using radio frequency fields, and combinations thereof.

63. The method of Claim 54, wherein thawing comprises thawing at least a portion of the frozen dispersion.

64. The method of Claim 54, wherein thawing comprises thawing all of the frozen dispersion.

65. The method of Claim 54, wherein increasing the material content of the thawed dispersion comprises removing a least a portion of the liquid from the thawed dispersion.

66. The method of Claim 54, wherein increasing the material content of the thawed dispersion comprises removing a least a portion of the liquid from the thawed dispersion; and wherein the removed liquid is substantially free of the material.

67. The method of Claim 54, wherein increasing the material content of the thawed dispersion comprises draining a least a portion of the liquid from the thawed dispersion away from the thawed dispersion; and wherein the drained liquid is substantially free of the material.

68. The method of Claim 54, wherein increasing the material content of the thawed dispersion comprises removing a solid form of at least a portion of the liquid from the thawed dispersion.

69. The method of Claim 54, wherein increasing the material content of the thawed dispersion comprises removing a solid form of at least a portion of the liquid from the thawed dispersion; and wherein the removed solid is substantially free of the material.

70. The method of Claim 54, wherein increasing the material content of the thawed dispersion comprises removing ice from the thawed dispersion; and wherein the removed ice is substantially free of the material.

71. The method of Claim 54, wherein increasing the material content of the thawed dispersion comprises removing a gaseous form of at least a portion of the liquid from the thawed dispersion.

72. The method of Claim 54, wherein thawing the frozen dispersion to form a thawed dispersion comprising heating the frozen dispersion to a temperature above a boiling point of the dispersion; and wherein increasing the material content of the thawed dispersion comprises boiling away a gaseous form of at least a portion of the liquid from the thawed dispersion.

73. The method of Claim 54, wherein thawing the frozen dispersion to form a thawed dispersion comprising heating the frozen dispersion to a temperature above a boiling point of the dispersion; wherein increasing the material content of the thawed dispersion comprises boiling away a gaseous form of at least a portion of the liquid from the thawed dispersion; and wherein the removed gas is substantially free of the material.

74. A method comprising: performing a cycle of deliquifying steps that include: first deliquifying a dispersion comprising a material and a liquid; and second deliquifying the dispersion; wherein the cycle comprises one or more of: performing the first deliquifying one or more times prior to the second deliquifying until a material content of the first deliquified dispersion is equal to or greater than a predetermined first material content; performing the second deliquifying one or more times until a material content of the second deliquified dispersion is equal to or greater than a predetermined second material content; and consecutively performing the first deliquifying and then performing the second deliquifying, and repeating the consecutively performing one or more times until a material content of the second deliquified dispersion is equal to or greater than the predetermined second material content; wherein the first deliquifying comprises: freezing the dispersion to form a frozen dispersion; thawing the frozen dispersion to form a thawed dispersion; and increasing the material content of the thawed dispersion; and wherein the second deliquifying comprises deliquifying the first deliquified dispersion by one or more deliquifying processes selected from the group consisting of compressing, filtering, centrifuging, twisting, absorbing, evaporating, squeezing, and pouring.

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