Reducing energy consumption in production of mechanical pulp

Due to energy deficiency and high energy costs, there is a large interest in reducing energy consumption in production of mechanical pulp. Studies have shown that the energy required to liberate a single fiber from wood is very low.

The theoretical energy consumption for defibration is very small compared to that observed in mill operations. Thus there is a huge potential to reduce the energy consumption during refining.

Laboratory results have been very promising, suggesting that removal of extractives can be positive both for the energy consumption during refining to a given strength and for the final paper properties.

In the present project these ideas will be further tested in pilot and full scale, and the mechanisms behind the promising results will be further investigated.The basic idea of this project is to develop and support mill scale implementation of technology for achieving minimum 25% reduction in energy consumption for production of mechanical pulp while maintaining pulp quality and avoiding negative environmental impacts.The project is partly funded by the Research Council of Norway, and is a cooperation between partners from industry, institutes and universities.