Method of coalescing a substance

Abstract

Provided is a method of coalescing a substance comprising providing a first mixture comprising a substance, agitating at least a portion of the first mixture under turbulent conditions for a first time period, thereby causing particles comprising and substance to collide and form into larger particles.

1 - 40 . (canceled) 
     
     
         41 . A coalesced particle comprising lignin having a purity of at least about 90%, wherein the particle has a particle size of from about 200 microns to about 3500 microns. 
     
     
         42 . The particle of  claim 41 , wherein the particle comprises lignin in an amount of at least about 80 wt % on a dry basis. 
     
     
         43 . The particle of  claim 41 , wherein the particle comprises lignin in an amount of at least about 90 wt % on a dry basis. 
     
     
         44 . The particle of  claim 41 , wherein the particle further comprises a compound selected from the group consisting of cellulose, glucose, gluco-oligosaccharides, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         45 . A coalesced particle comprising lignin having a purity of at least about 90%, wherein the particle was produced by agitating a first mixture comprising lignin-containing particles under turbulent conditions at a Reynolds number of at least 4,000 at a temperature of at least about Tg of the lignin-containing particles, thereby providing the coalesced particle. 
     
     
         46 . The particle of  claim 45 , wherein the lignin-containing particles prior to agitating have an average particle size of less than 200 microns. 
     
     
         47 . The particle of  claim 45 , wherein the particle has a particle size of greater than 200 microns. 
     
     
         48 . The particle of  claim 45 , wherein the first mixture further comprises a compound selected from the group consisting of cellulose, glucose, gluco-oligosaccharides, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         49 . The particle of  claim 45 , wherein the particle comprises lignin in an amount of at least about 80 wt % on a dry basis. 
     
     
         50 . The particle of  claim 45 , wherein the particle comprises lignin in an amount of at least about 90 wt % on a dry basis. 
     
     
         51 . The particle of  claim 45 , wherein the step of agitating is conducted for 1 min to less than 6 hours. 
     
     
         52 . The particle of  claim 45 , wherein the lignin-containing particles are maintained above about 70° C. prior to the step of agitating. 
     
     
         53 . A coalesced particle comprising lignin, wherein the particle has a particle size of from about 200 microns to about 3500 microns, and wherein the particle was produced by:
 providing at a first temperature a first mixture comprising a substance, wherein the substance comprises lignin, and wherein the first temperature is above about 60° C.; and   agitating at least a portion of the first mixture under turbulent conditions at a Reynolds number of at least 4,000 for a first time period at the first temperature,   thereby providing the coalesced particle.   
     
     
         54 . The particle of  claim 53 , wherein the particle comprises lignin having a purity of at least about 90%. 
     
     
         55 . The particle of  claim 53 , wherein the particle comprises lignin in an amount of at least about 80 wt % on a dry basis. 
     
     
         56 . The particle of  claim 53 , wherein the particle comprises lignin in an amount of at least about 90 wt % on a dry basis. 
     
     
         57 . The particle of  claim 53 , wherein the substance has an average size of less than about 200 microns. 
     
     
         58 . The particle of  claim 53 , wherein the substance further comprises a compound selected from the group consisting of cellulose, glucose, gluco-oligosaccharides, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         59 . The particle of  claim 53 , wherein the first time period is about 1 min to less than 6 hours. 
     
     
         60 . The particle of  claim 53 , wherein the first temperature is at least about 80° C.