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EP4385695A2 - Pulpe thermomécanique - Google Patents

Pulpe thermomécanique Download PDF

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Publication number
EP4385695A2
EP4385695A2 EP23211639.2A EP23211639A EP4385695A2 EP 4385695 A2 EP4385695 A2 EP 4385695A2 EP 23211639 A EP23211639 A EP 23211639A EP 4385695 A2 EP4385695 A2 EP 4385695A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
thermomechanical pulp
refiner
pulp
wood
range
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
EP23211639.2A
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German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP4385695A3 (fr
Inventor
Jari Heikkinen
Juha Kallio
Mikko LASSILA
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
UPM Kymmene Oy
Original Assignee
UPM Kymmene Oy
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Publication date
Application filed by UPM Kymmene Oy filed Critical UPM Kymmene Oy
Publication of EP4385695A2 publication Critical patent/EP4385695A2/fr
Publication of EP4385695A3 publication Critical patent/EP4385695A3/fr
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D21—PAPER-MAKING; PRODUCTION OF CELLULOSE
    • D21H—PULP COMPOSITIONS; PREPARATION THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES D21C OR D21D; IMPREGNATING OR COATING OF PAPER; TREATMENT OF FINISHED PAPER NOT COVERED BY CLASS B31 OR SUBCLASS D21G; PAPER NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D21H11/00—Pulp or paper, comprising cellulose or lignocellulose fibres of natural origin only
    • D21H11/08—Mechanical or thermomechanical pulp
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B27—WORKING OR PRESERVING WOOD OR SIMILAR MATERIAL; NAILING OR STAPLING MACHINES IN GENERAL
    • B27N—MANUFACTURE BY DRY PROCESSES OF ARTICLES, WITH OR WITHOUT ORGANIC BINDING AGENTS, MADE FROM PARTICLES OR FIBRES CONSISTING OF WOOD OR OTHER LIGNOCELLULOSIC OR LIKE ORGANIC MATERIAL
    • B27N1/00—Pretreatment of moulding material
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B27—WORKING OR PRESERVING WOOD OR SIMILAR MATERIAL; NAILING OR STAPLING MACHINES IN GENERAL
    • B27N—MANUFACTURE BY DRY PROCESSES OF ARTICLES, WITH OR WITHOUT ORGANIC BINDING AGENTS, MADE FROM PARTICLES OR FIBRES CONSISTING OF WOOD OR OTHER LIGNOCELLULOSIC OR LIKE ORGANIC MATERIAL
    • B27N3/00—Manufacture of substantially flat articles, e.g. boards, from particles or fibres
    • B27N3/02—Manufacture of substantially flat articles, e.g. boards, from particles or fibres from particles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B27—WORKING OR PRESERVING WOOD OR SIMILAR MATERIAL; NAILING OR STAPLING MACHINES IN GENERAL
    • B27N—MANUFACTURE BY DRY PROCESSES OF ARTICLES, WITH OR WITHOUT ORGANIC BINDING AGENTS, MADE FROM PARTICLES OR FIBRES CONSISTING OF WOOD OR OTHER LIGNOCELLULOSIC OR LIKE ORGANIC MATERIAL
    • B27N3/00—Manufacture of substantially flat articles, e.g. boards, from particles or fibres
    • B27N3/04—Manufacture of substantially flat articles, e.g. boards, from particles or fibres from fibres
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B27—WORKING OR PRESERVING WOOD OR SIMILAR MATERIAL; NAILING OR STAPLING MACHINES IN GENERAL
    • B27N—MANUFACTURE BY DRY PROCESSES OF ARTICLES, WITH OR WITHOUT ORGANIC BINDING AGENTS, MADE FROM PARTICLES OR FIBRES CONSISTING OF WOOD OR OTHER LIGNOCELLULOSIC OR LIKE ORGANIC MATERIAL
    • B27N5/00—Manufacture of non-flat articles
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D21—PAPER-MAKING; PRODUCTION OF CELLULOSE
    • D21B—FIBROUS RAW MATERIALS OR THEIR MECHANICAL TREATMENT
    • D21B1/00—Fibrous raw materials or their mechanical treatment
    • D21B1/04—Fibrous raw materials or their mechanical treatment by dividing raw materials into small particles, e.g. fibres
    • D21B1/12—Fibrous raw materials or their mechanical treatment by dividing raw materials into small particles, e.g. fibres by wet methods, by the use of steam
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D21—PAPER-MAKING; PRODUCTION OF CELLULOSE
    • D21B—FIBROUS RAW MATERIALS OR THEIR MECHANICAL TREATMENT
    • D21B1/00—Fibrous raw materials or their mechanical treatment
    • D21B1/04—Fibrous raw materials or their mechanical treatment by dividing raw materials into small particles, e.g. fibres
    • D21B1/12—Fibrous raw materials or their mechanical treatment by dividing raw materials into small particles, e.g. fibres by wet methods, by the use of steam
    • D21B1/14—Disintegrating in mills
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D21—PAPER-MAKING; PRODUCTION OF CELLULOSE
    • D21D—TREATMENT OF THE MATERIALS BEFORE PASSING TO THE PAPER-MAKING MACHINE
    • D21D1/00—Methods of beating or refining; Beaters of the Hollander type
    • D21D1/20—Methods of refining
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D21—PAPER-MAKING; PRODUCTION OF CELLULOSE
    • D21J—FIBREBOARD; MANUFACTURE OF ARTICLES FROM CELLULOSIC FIBROUS SUSPENSIONS OR FROM PAPIER-MACHE
    • D21J1/00—Fibreboard
    • D21J1/16—Special fibreboard
    • D21J1/20—Insulating board
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B27—WORKING OR PRESERVING WOOD OR SIMILAR MATERIAL; NAILING OR STAPLING MACHINES IN GENERAL
    • B27N—MANUFACTURE BY DRY PROCESSES OF ARTICLES, WITH OR WITHOUT ORGANIC BINDING AGENTS, MADE FROM PARTICLES OR FIBRES CONSISTING OF WOOD OR OTHER LIGNOCELLULOSIC OR LIKE ORGANIC MATERIAL
    • B27N3/00—Manufacture of substantially flat articles, e.g. boards, from particles or fibres
    • B27N3/08—Moulding or pressing

Definitions

  • thermomechanical pulp This specification relates to a method for manufacturing a thermomechanical pulp. This specification further relates to a wood-based product comprising or consisting of thermomechanical pulp. This specification relates to a use of a thermomechanical pulp.
  • Cellulose based fibers can be used as a raw material for many products, such as for papers, paperboards and biocomposites.
  • papers and paperboards can comprise mechanical pulp and/or chemical pulp
  • wood-plastic composites can be made from a plastic and a chemical pulp.
  • Mechanical pulping is a process in which wood is mechanically refined into pulp. Mechanical pulping includes different mechanical processes. Depending on the process, the obtained mechanical pulp can be, e.g., stone groundwood pulp, pressurized groundwood pulp, thermomechanical pulp, or chemithermomechanical pulp. All these different kinds of mechanical pulp have different properties.
  • thermomechanical pulp It is an aim of this specification to provide a method for manufacturing a thermomechanical pulp. Further, it is an aim of this specification to provide a wood-based product comprising or consisting of thermomechanical pulp. Still further, it is an aim of this specification to provide a method for manufacturing a wood-based product comprising or consisting of thermomechanical pulp.
  • thermomechanical pulping In conventional thermomechanical pulping, a lot of water is used for manufacturing steps. Water is used to lubricate and cool the refiners and thereby to prevent the heating and burning of the wood raw material. Furthermore, a lot of energy is used for refining wood chips in the refiners.
  • the technical effects of the manufacturing process can include:
  • thermomechanical pulping is organic material and constitutes a substrate that is susceptible to microbial growth when wet.
  • thermomechanical pulp made by conventional methods e.g., in the manufacture of thermal insulation, the pulp must be dried before it is used.
  • a lot of energy needs to be used for drying the formed pulp having high water content.
  • thermomechanical pulp is an expensive process, while poorly dried pulps can have a quite limited shelf life creating additional challenges for their logistics and handling as well as their actual end use. Improvements for such problems have mainly been sought by improving drying process.
  • thermomechanical process using significantly smaller quantity of water than conventionally, the drying, and hence several problems relating to the drying of the thermomechanical pulp, can be avoided.
  • thermomechanical pulp A method for manufacturing a thermomechanical pulp can comprise the following steps
  • total amount of water added to the refiner(s) during the refining includes water that is first added to the wood-based material and then fed into the refiner(s) together with the wood-based material, as well as water added otherwise (i.e., separately from the wood-based material) into the refiner(s).
  • a proportion of spruce is at least 50 wt.%, more preferably at least 80 wt.%, determined from dry weight of the wood-based material.
  • Technical effect is to obtain improved properties for the obtained thermomechanical pulp.
  • specific energy i.e., quantity of energy used in a refiner per ton of raw material fed to the refiner can be smaller than by using pine.
  • a dry matter content of the thermomechanical pulp coming from the second refiner is preferably in a range between 80% and 98%, more preferably in a range between 88% and 98%.
  • Technical effect is to obtain very dry pulp that is suitable for many applications without a drying step.
  • the method comprises the two refiners, preferably from 65% to 85%, more preferably from 71% to 83%, and most preferably from 73% to 82%, from the total amount of water added to the refiners is added to the first refiner.
  • the total amount of water added to the refiners is added to the first refiner.
  • preferably from 15% to 35%, more preferably from 17% to 29%, and most preferably from 18% to 27% from the total amount of water added to the refiners is added to the second refiner.
  • Technical effect is to have environmentally friendly process, and to obtain good quality for the produced thermomechanical pulp.
  • thermomechanical pulp according to this specification can also be called as a wood-based thermomechanical pulp.
  • thermomechanical pulp can be compressed to obtain a compressed thermomechanical pulp-based product, i.e., a wood-based product comprising or consisting of the thermomechanical pulp.
  • a compressed thermomechanical pulp-based product i.e., a wood-based product comprising or consisting of the thermomechanical pulp.
  • the wood-based product is a pulp sheet or a pulp web, a fluff roll, a bale, a briquette, or a pellet.
  • the wood-based product is the bale or the pellet.
  • the method for manufacturing a thermomechanical pulp does not need to have reject refiners.
  • the process has only one or only two refiners.
  • Technical effect is that process without reject refiners is more environmentally friendly and has decreased energy consumption and decreased costs.
  • the novel process does not need to have the reject refiners, the novel process neither needs washing devices for the reject, or devices for increasing solid content of the reject. Moreover, as the process does not need the reject lines, there is no need for separators for dividing the pulp into rejected and accepted pulps. Technical effect is that the process without reject lines is more environmentally friendly, has decreased energy consumption, and decreased costs.
  • thermomechanical pulp does not need a drying step.
  • the process does not need a drying device.
  • the obtained pulp can be compressed into a compressed wood-based product directly after the refining process, without any drying step between the last refining step and the compressing step.
  • Technical effect is that process without a dryer is more environmentally friendly, has decreased energy consumption, and decreased costs. It is to be noted that a conventional drying process typically uses lots of energy for drying the pulp after the refining.
  • the novel pulping process does not need a latency treatment.
  • the process does not need latency removal devices.
  • Technical effect is that the process without latency removal devices has improved manufacturing efficiency.
  • thermomechanical pulp is an unbleached pulp.
  • Technical effect is that the process without bleaching chemicals is more environmentally friendly.
  • a total amount of water added to all refiners is preferably in a range between 700 L and 1800 L, more preferably in a range between 800 L and 1600 L, still more preferably in a range between 900 L and 1500 L, and most preferably in a range between 1000 L and 1300 L, determined per dry ton of the obtained thermomechanical pulp.
  • more than 65%, more preferably more than 71% of said water is added to the first refiner.
  • a total specific energy consumption in the refiner(s), calculated as combined total specific energy for all refiners, is preferably in a range between 400 kWh per ton and 2500 kWh per ton, more preferably between 600 kWh per ton and 2000 kWh per ton, measured as dry weight of the obtained thermomechanical pulp.
  • a total specific energy consumption in the refiner(s), if the production line has only one refiner, is preferably in a range between 400 kWh per ton and 1200 kWh per ton, more preferably between 600 kWh per ton and 1100 kWh per ton, measured as dry weight of the obtained thermomechanical pulp.
  • a total specific energy consumption in the refiners is preferably in a range between 800 kWh per ton and 2500 kWh per ton, preferably between 1000 kWh per ton and 2000 kWh per ton, measured as dry weight of the obtained thermomechanical pulp.
  • thermomechanical pulp having good quality and suitable dry matter content for many applications in an environmentally friendly way, and with decreased energy consumption.
  • the method can further comprise the following step:
  • the wood-based material can be refined by using only one refiner, i.e., the first refiner.
  • the first refiner is also the last refiner, and the dry matter content of the thermomechanical pulp coming from the first refiner is preferably at least 70%.
  • a dry matter content of once refined pulp can be at least 70%, more preferably at least 75%, and most preferably at least 80%, determined from the pulp coming from the first refiner.
  • the method according to this specification can comprise refining the wood-based material by using only two refiners, i.e., the first refiner and the second refiner.
  • the second refiner is also the last refiner, and the dry matter content of the thermomechanical pulp coming from the second refiner is preferably at least 80%.
  • the wording "refining by using only two refiners" means that there is not any additional refiner in the process, such as a reject refiner.
  • thermomechanical pulp has at least one, more preferably more than one, such as at least 5, and most preferably all the following properties.
  • thermomechanical pulp can be used for many products.
  • the thermomechanical pulp can be particularly advantageous for many applications if it has the above-mentioned properties.
  • the benefits are typically realized the better, the more of above-mentioned features are implemented in the thermomechanical pulp.
  • the obtained pulp is substantially dry (i.e., a water content is less than 30%, preferably less than 20%) without a drying step.
  • Technical effect is that no separate driers are needed e.g. for litter pellets, or e.g. for bales used for thermal insulation materials.
  • thermomechanical pulp can be used in an insulation board so that a proportion of the thermomechanical pulp is preferably at least 50 wt.%, more preferably at least 90 wt.% (by dry weight), and most preferably at least 95 wt.% (by dry weight).
  • a bale can comprise or consist of the thermomechanical pulp.
  • the thermomechanical pulp can be used in a bale so that a proportion of the thermomechanical pulp is at least 80 wt.%, more preferably at least 95 wt.% (by dry weight), and most preferably at least 99.8 wt.%, determined as dry weight of the bale.
  • a pellet such as a litter pellet, can comprise or consist of the thermomechanical pulp.
  • a pellet comprises thermomechanical pulp so that a proportion of the thermomechanical pulp is at least 95 wt.% and most preferably at least 99.8 wt.%.
  • the pellet is a compressed wood-based product consisting of the thermomechanical pulp.
  • thermomechanical pulp can be used as a growing medium for plants.
  • the thermomechanical pulp is used for replacing at least some, such as from 20 wt.% to 70 wt.%, preferably from 30 wt.% to 50 wt.% (by dry weight), peat in a growing medium.
  • amount of thermomechanical pulp in the growing mediums is between 20 wt.% and 70 wt.%, preferably between 30 wt.% and 50 wt.% (by dry weight).
  • thermomechanical pulp can be used as a cover material for plants.
  • Amount of thermomechanical pulp in the cover material can be up to 100 wt.% (by dry weight), determined from total amount of the cover material.
  • a composite product can comprise a thermoplastic polymer and the thermomechanical pulp.
  • the thermomechanical pulp can be used in a composite product so that a proportion of the thermomechanical pulp is preferably in a range between 20 wt.% and 60 wt.% (by dry weight).
  • thermomechanical pulp is used in one of the following applications: a packing cushion, a filter material, a filler e.g. in asphalt and brick industry, and a container.
  • thermomechanical pulp formed in the process can be utilized in various applications, e.g. as building materials, pellets, and/or as growing medium for plants.
  • the building material is preferably refined with two refiners while the growing medium is preferably refined only once.
  • the method according to this specification can have the particular advantage that it can be implemented by an existing production equipment, and that current thermomechanical processes and systems can be modified to correspond to the new process. It is thus possible to reuse an old, redundant system in a new process.
  • water vapour produced in the process can be utilized, for example, for heating of wood chips.
  • at least some of water vapour produced in the process can be utilized, for example, for washing the wood chips.
  • at least some of water vapour produced in the process can be utilized, for example, for heating of process waters.
  • the novel solution can be environmentally friendly way to obtain substantially dry thermomechanical pulp without a need for drying devices, such as long drying pipes. Further, it is possible to obtain a cellulose based raw material in a cost-effective manner.
  • thermomechanical pulp in accordance with the specification can be environmentally friendly and promote the principle of sustained development. Due to the high dry matter content of the produced thermomechanical pulp, drying step is not needed, hence, the solution according to this specification can be energy-efficient solution. As the thermomechanical pulp according to this specification can be obtained with reduced energy consumption and without chemicals, the solution can also decrease environmental load.
  • the thermomechanical pulp according to this specification is typically a recyclable raw material for many applications, also meeting the ever stricter environmental regulations. Furthermore, thanks to lignin in the thermomechanical pulp, wood-based products can be formed without adding binding agents.
  • the following standards refer to methods which can be used in obtaining stated values of parameters representing quality of a product: Dry matter content % ISO 638, Freeness, CSF ml ISO 5267-2, Length weighted fiber length Lc(l) mm ISO 16065-2, Grammage g/m 2 ISO 536, Bulk cm 3 /g ISO 534, Tensile strength kN/m ISO 1924-3, Tensile index Nm/g ISO 1924-3, Tear index mNm 2 /g ISO 1974, Bonding strength SB Low J/m 2 ISO 16260, Opacity % ISO 2471, Light scattering coefficient m 2 /kg ISO 9416, Absorption coefficient m 2 /kg ISO 9416, and Preparation of laboratory sheets with recirculated white water ISO 5269-3.
  • fiber properties can be obtained by using Valmet Fiber Image Analyzer (Valmet FS5) according to the manufacturer's instructions.
  • Valmet Fiber Image Analyzer (Valmet FS5) is an example of a device, which can be used according to the manufacturer's instructions to perform the fiber furnish analysis.
  • automated optical analysis such as an ultrahigh resolution (UHD) camera system equipped with image analysis software, may be used to acquire a greyscale image of a sample, of which image the properties of the fibers in the sample can be determined.
  • the greyscale image can be acquired from a sample placed in a transparent sample holder, such as a cuvette, using a 0.5 millimeter depth of focus according to ISO 16505-2 standard.
  • Valmet Fiber Image Analyzer (Valmet FS5) can be used to determine fiber properties, such as fiber length and fiber width, by means of automated optical analysis using unpolarized light, according to ISO 16065-2: 2014.
  • specific energy refers to the quantity of energy used in a refiner per ton of raw material fed to the refiner.
  • a refiner line according to this specification preferably comprises only 1 refiner or only 2 refiners.
  • once refined pulp refers to a pulp coming from the first refiner R1.
  • total amount of water added to the refiner(s) during the refining includes or consists of
  • thermomechanical pulp refers to a pulp coming from the last refiner.
  • the last refiner can be, for example, the first refiner or the second refiner. If the system comprises, e.g., three refiners, the last refiner can be the third refiner. Preferably, the last refiner is the second refiner.
  • a conventional refiner line can comprise 1 to 5 reject refiner(s) for refining a reject.
  • the method according to this specification does not need the reject refiners.
  • the method for manufacturing the thermomechanical pulp comprises exactly 0 reject refiners.
  • the method for manufacturing the thermomechanical pulp comprises 1 to 4 refiners (combined amount of main refiners and reject refiners), more preferably 1 to 3 refiners, and most preferably 1 to 2 refiners.
  • the method comprises only one refiner.
  • Technical effect of having only one or only two refiners is to decrease energy consumption of the manufacturing process.
  • Percentage values relating to an amount of a material are percentages by weight (wt.%) unless otherwise indicated. All percentage values relating to an amount of a material refer to dry weight, unless otherwise indicated.
  • repeating refers to new use of a material, wherein the material is recovered and provided for a new use.
  • thermomechanical pulp refers to material originating from wooden material, which has been processed into fibrous form, such as fibers, using a thermomechanical process.
  • the thermomechanical pulp 3 according to this specification can have a dry matter content of more than 70 %, preferably more than 80%, such as equal to or more than 90 % determined from the pulp after the last refiner, without a drying step.
  • Wood species can be divided into two main groups denoted as softwood and hardwood.
  • Softwood and hardwood have distinguished mechanical characteristics and chemical composition, which differ from each other.
  • the raw material for the thermomechanical process is cellulose based raw material, preferably wood, more preferably softwood, and most preferably spruce.
  • the thermomechanical pulp 3 according to this specification can, at least essentially, consist of softwood(s).
  • the target is a fiber distribution having suitable content of long fibers and fines for an end use of the produced thermomechanical pulp 3.
  • the raw material such as wood chips, can consist of, or at least essentially consist of, softwood-based material.
  • the raw material i.e., the wood-based material 1
  • the wood-based material has a dry matter content in a range between 35 % and 65 %, determined as dry matter content of the wood-based material 1, when fed to a first refiner R1.
  • the raw material for the thermomechanical pulp 3 is fresh wood chips, with a dry matter content in a range between 35 % and 65 %, determined as dry matter content of wood chips when fed to a first refiner R1.
  • the technical effect of this dry matter content is to provide particularly environmentally friendly solution as the wood chips do not need to be, e.g., dried but fresh chips can be fed to the first refiner R1.
  • Wood chips can be made of wood by methods known as such.
  • the produced thermomechanical pulp 3 can comprise equal to or more than 50 wt.%, preferably equal to or more than 75 wt.%, more preferably equal to or more than 88 wt.%, still more preferably equal to or more than 95 wt.%, and most preferably equal to or more than 99 wt.%, such as 100 wt.% (by dry weight), softwood, most preferably spruce.
  • the technical effect is to obtain thermomechanical pulp 3 having good fiber distribution as well as suitable properties for different applications.
  • Mechanical pulp refers to cellulose pulp obtained from a process wherein fibers have been produced through mechanical methods.
  • mechanical pulps are, for example, grinding-stone ground wood pulp (SGW), pressure ground wood pulp (PGW) and thermomechanical pulp (TMP). All these mechanical methods typically produce pulp having a dry matter content of less than 50 %.
  • the pulp according to this specification is obtained by using a thermomechanical process.
  • Fig. 1 illustrates, by way of an example, some method steps according to an embodiment.
  • thermomechanical pulp is preferably manufactured by using 1 to 2 refiners, such as two refiners, most preferably only one or only two refiners.
  • the system can comprise a first refiner R1, optionally a second refiner R2, and in an embodiment a third refiner.
  • the process does not comprise reject refiners.
  • the technical effect is to decrease energy consumption as well as other costs.
  • the novel method can provide thermomechanical pulp that is suitable for many applications without a need of reject refiners.
  • the wood-based material 1, such as wood chips, can be, for example, sieved before they are conveyed to a first refiner R1.
  • the technical effect is to improve quality of the produced thermomechanical pulp 3 and decrease problems in refiners.
  • thermomechanical pulp 3 can comprise a step of separation of sand, metal bits and other impurities from the wood-based material 1.
  • the method can comprise, for example, the following step:
  • the step of separating impurities from the wood-based material 1 before the wood-based material 1 is conveyed to the first refiner can comprise e.g. a washing step.
  • the method can comprise, for example, the following step:
  • the washing typically comprises steps of first adding water to the wood-based material, following by removing water from the wood-based material e.g. by using a screw.
  • Washed wood-based material can have a dry matter content between 35% and 65%, more preferably between 35% and 50%.
  • the wood-based material 1 is preheated at a temperature in a range between 105°C and 130°C, preferably in a range between 110°C and 125°C before conveying the wood-based material to the first refiner.
  • Technical effect is that without the preheating, fiber length of the obtained pulp can be substantially smaller than with the preheating.
  • the wood-based material can be preheated under a pressure of, for example, 40 kPa to 130 kPa, preferably from 50 kPa to 90 kPa.
  • the technical effect is to improve fiber length of the obtained pulp. Without the preheating, fiber length of the obtained pulp can be substantially smaller than with the preheating.
  • the method can comprise the following step:
  • a preheating time can be, for example, in a range between 0 and 7 min, such as in a range between 30 s and 5 min.
  • the wood-based material is not preheated before feeding the material to the first refiner R1.
  • the technical effect is to increase efficiency of the process and/or to simplify the system.
  • the preheated wood-based material, such as wood chips, is typically softer and may have higher energy consumption in refiners than such wood chips that are not preheated. Further, another technical effect is to improve brightness of the obtained pulp.
  • the method for manufacturing thermomechanical pulp 3 comprises a step of conveying wood-based material 1 to the first refiner R1.
  • the dry matter content of the wood-based material to be conveyed to the first refiner can be from 35 to 65%, preferably from 40% to 55%.
  • the technical effect is that the wood-based material can be fresh chips having their natural dry matter content, and the wood-based material can be fed to the first refiner R1 without a pre-drying.
  • vapour can be separated from the pulp obtained from the refiner, by means of a vapour separating device.
  • the refiner line comprising at least one refiner can have at least one separator for separating fibers and vaporized water from each other.
  • the separator can be e.g. a cyclone separator.
  • a cyclone separator is located
  • Some water can be added into the cyclone separator(s).
  • Amount of water added into the separator(s) can be, for example, in a range between 50 L and 150 L per obtained ton of thermomechanical pulp, preferably in a range between 60 L and 90 L per obtained ton of thermomechanical pulp. The technical effect is to provide good performance without decreasing solid content of the wood-based material too much.
  • amount of water added into the separator(s) is in a range between 0.2 and 1.0 l/s per cyclone separator, preferably in a range between 0.3 and 0.7 l/s per cyclone separator.
  • the technical effect is to provide good performance without decreasing solid content of the wood-based material too much.
  • the method can comprise the following step:
  • the method can comprise the preheating step and at least part of the separated water vapour (steam) can be used for the preheating step.
  • the first refiner R1 can be, for example, a single disc refiner (SD), which can be a disc refiner or a conical refiner. In an embodiment, the first refiner is a double disc refiner.
  • SD single disc refiner
  • the first refiner is a double disc refiner.
  • Technical effect is to provide cost efficiently thermomechanical pulp having suitable properties for many applications.
  • bone dry ton refers to a unit of weight equal to 2,000 pounds of woody material at zero percent (0%) moisture content, and is known by a person skilled in the art.
  • the specific energy applied for the first refiner R1 can be from 400 kWh/bdt to 1350 kWh/bdt, preferably in a range between 600 kWh/bdt and 1100 kWh/bdt, and more preferably in a range between 700 kWh/bdt and 1000 kWh/bdt.
  • Technical effect is to obtain pulp having suitable properties without burning the pulp during the refining.
  • a total specific energy consumption in the refiner is preferably in a range between 400 kWh per ton and 1200 kWh per ton, more preferably between 600 kWh per ton and 1100 kWh per ton, measured as dry weight of the obtained thermomechanical pulp.
  • the specific energy applied for the first refiner R1 is from 500 kWh/bdt to 800 kWh/bdt.
  • the technical effect is to provide pulp having a high fiber length.
  • Another technical effect is to provide cost efficiently pulp suitable, e.g., for insulation material.
  • the specific energy applied for the first refiner R1 is from 850 kWh/bdt to 1300 kWh/bdt.
  • the technical effect is to provide a pulp with a high fibrillation degree.
  • Another technical effect is to provide a pulp suitable, e.g., for papers.
  • Rotation speed of the first refiner R1 can be, for example, 1300 to 1700 rpm.
  • the technical effect is to provide good refining conditions for the thermomechanical pulp.
  • a pressure of the first refiner R1 can be, for example, 300 kPa to 450 kPa, preferably in a range between 340 kPa and 410 kPa. Said pressure of the first refiner can be particularly advantageous for producing the dry pulp.
  • a temperature in the first refiner R1 can be from 130°C to 180°C, preferably in a range between 140°C and 170°C, more preferably in a range between 150°C and 160°C.
  • the technical effect of the temperature is to efficiently dry the pulp while refining. However, too high temperatures (e.g., above 200°C) can burn the fibers and hence should be avoided.
  • the dry matter content of the once refined pulp i.e., pulp coming from the first refiner R1
  • the technical effect is to provide, cost efficiently, thermomechanical pulp having such dry matter content that is suitable for e.g. insulation materials, without additional drying step.
  • Another technical effect is to provide substantially dry pulp without a drying device by using only one refiner.
  • Freeness of the once refined pulp i.e., pulp coming from the first refiner R1
  • the technical effect is to obtain, cost efficiently, pulp suitable for many applications. Further, said freeness can be particularly suitable for the pulp without a drying step.
  • thermomechanical pulp is obtained by using only one refiner R1.
  • the once refined pulp 2 can be conveyed to a second refiner R2, and the thermomechanical pulp is obtained by using only two refiners R1, R2.
  • the method for manufacturing the thermomechanical pulp according to this specification may not comprise a screening device downstream of the first refiner, such as between refiners.
  • the system does not have such a screening device for screening the pulp according to the fiber size that is located downstream from the first refiner.
  • the technical effect is to simplify the system so that the pulp flow can be conveyed from the first refiner without a screening step. Furthermore, it could be challenging to screen the substantially dry material.
  • the process comprises only one refiner, i.e., the first refiner.
  • thermomechanical pulp according to this specification can comprise the second refiner R2.
  • the second refiner R2 can be, for example, a single disc refiner (SD), which can be a disc refiner or a conical refiner. In an embodiment, the second refiner is a double disc refiner.
  • SD single disc refiner
  • the refining process for forming thermomechanical pulp 3 can be, at least partly, performed in the second refiner R2.
  • a total specific energy consumption in the refiners R1, R2, if the production line has (only) two refiners, is preferably in a range between 800 kWh per ton and 2500 kWh per ton, preferably between 1000 kWh per ton and 2000 kWh per ton, measured as dry weight of the obtained thermomechanical pulp.
  • the specific energy applied for the second refiner R2 can be 300 to 1000 kWh bdt, preferably in a range between 400 kWh/bdt and 750 kWh/bdt, more preferably in a range between 450 kWh/bdt and 700 kWh/bdt, and most preferably in a range between 500 kWh/bdt and 650 kWh/bdt, wherein the total specific energy consumption in the refiners R1, R2 is preferably as discussed in this specification.
  • the technical effect is to provide, cost efficiently, thermomechanical pulp having suitable dry matter content as well as suitable properties for certain applications.
  • the technical effect of the higher specific energy is to improve strength properties of the products to be obtained from the pulp.
  • the technical effect of the lower specific energy is to provide a pulp having increased fiber length. Further, by using the higher specific energy, the obtained pulp can be particularly suitable for papers, and by using the lower specific energy, the obtained pulp can be particularly suitable for insulation materials.
  • Rotation speed of the second refiner R2 can be, for example, 1300 to 1700 rpm.
  • the technical effect is to provide good refining conditions for the thermomechanical pulp.
  • a pressure of the second refiner R2 can be 150 kPa to 310 kPa, preferably 170 kPa to 290 kPa, and more preferably from 190 kPa to 270 kPa. Said pressure can be particularly advantageous for producing the dry pulp.
  • a temperature in the second refiner R2 can be from 130°C to 180°C, preferably in a range between 140°C and 170°C, more preferably in a range between 150°C and 160°C.
  • the technical effect of the temperature is to efficiently dry the pulp while refining. However, too high temperatures (e.g., above 200°C) can burn the fibers and hence should be avoided.
  • a dry matter content of the obtained thermomechanical pulp 3 can be at least 80%, such as from 80 to 98%, determined from the pulp coming from the second refiner.
  • a dry matter content of the thermomechanical pulp 3 can be from 80 to 98 %, preferably from 85% to 97%, more preferably from 88% to 96%, and most preferably from equal to or more than 90% to 95%, determined from the thermomechanical pulp coming from the second refiner, i.e., without a drying step.
  • Freeness of the thermomechanical pulp 3 can be from 80 ml to 800 ml. This range is suitable for many applications. A lower freeness, such as from 100 ml to 200 ml, can be used, for example, for papers and paperboards. The higher freeness can be used, for example, for insulation materials.
  • freeness of the thermomechanical pulp 3 is at least 100 ml, preferably from 150 ml to 250 ml.
  • the technical effect is to provide pulp suitable for a paper.
  • freeness of the thermomechanical pulp 3 is at least 400 ml, preferably from 450 ml to 700 ml.
  • the technical effect is to provide, cost efficiently, e.g. an insulation material.
  • the freeness of the thermomechanical pulp 3 is preferably at least 300 ml, for example in a range between 300 ml and 820 ml.
  • the freeness of the thermomechanical pulp 3 is preferably less than 800 ml, for example in a range between 80 ml and 780 ml.
  • the wood-based material can be dried during the refining, without a need for a dryer.
  • At least 65% such as from 65 to 87%, more preferably from 71 to 83% from the total amount of water added to the refiner(s) during the refining is added to the first refiner.
  • Technical effect is to strongly improve quality of the obtained thermomechanical pulp.
  • Amount of dilution water added to the refining depends on the refining line.
  • Amount of dilution water added to the refining can be, for example, less than 3 l/s, preferably less than 2.5 l/s, such as 0.5 l/s to 2.5 l/s, still more preferably less than 2 l/s, and most preferably less than 1.8 l/s, such as less than 1.5 l/s.
  • from the dilution water for example, approximately 0.5 to 2.5 l/s can be dosed to the first refiner R1, and 0 to 0.7 l/s can be dosed to the second refiner R2 (if used).
  • amount of dilution water added to the first and/or the second refiner is 0.5 to 1.8 l/s, or 0 to 1 l/s. The technical effect is to obtain very dry pulp.
  • thermomechanical pulp 3 can be manufactured without a dryer by using a refiner line having, e.g. two refiners, i.e., a first refiner R1 and a second refiner R2.
  • the method for manufacturing the thermomechanical pulp 3 having a dry matter content of at least 70% preferably does not comprise a dryer.
  • the method for manufacturing the thermomechanical pulp 3 having a dry matter content of at least 70% typically at least 80%, comprises exactly 0 drying devices.
  • thermomechanical pulp 3 manufactured according to this specification can have desired optical and strength properties for many applications.
  • the optical properties of the novel thermomechanical pulp are typically better than optical properties of conventionally produced thermomechanical pulp.
  • thermomechanical pulp can be substantially low.
  • the method according to this specification typically does not need reject refiners. This can improve cost efficiency of the process.
  • the low shive content of the thermomechanical pulp is important feature for some applications as shives cannot be easily separated from the dry pulp.
  • thermomechanical pulp 3 according to this specification can be environmentally friendly product that can be produced without chemicals.
  • thermomechanical pulp 3 which is produced according to this specification without a separate drying step differed from properties of conventionally produced and dried thermomechanical pulp.
  • Thermomechanical pulp production according to this specification is typically more intensive than conventional production and thus fiber characteristics and shape, such as fiber length, fiber width, kinks, kink angle etc., can change compared to conventional thermomechanical pulps.
  • shive content of pulp, fibrillation level of fibers and proportion of fibrillar fines at a certain freeness can be lower than those of a conventional thermomechanical pulp, while e.g. a proportion of flake-like fines can be higher.
  • These changes were also be seen from obtained hand sheets as lower sheet bulk, tear index, stretch and tensile index, while e.g. bonding strength, light scattering coefficient and opacity were improved.
  • Fig. 2 shows a photo of a thermomechanical pulp manufactured according to this specification.
  • thermomechanical pulp 3 can comprise, essentially consist of, or consist of wood-based material.
  • a proportion of wood-based material(s) is at least 95 wt.%, more preferably at least 98%, and most preferably at least 99.5 wt.%, such as 100 wt.%, determined as dry weight of the thermomechanical pulp 3.
  • thermomechanical pulp 3 is refined without chemicals, and the obtained thermomechanical pulp 3 does not comprise chemicals, i.e., amount of chemicals in the thermomechanical pulp 3 is preferably 0 wt.%.
  • thermomechanical pulp 3 can essentially consist of, or consist of, softwood(s). Different wood species have distinguished mechanical characteristics and chemical composition, which differ from each other. Preferably, equal to or more than 50 wt.%, more preferably equal to or more than 65 wt.%, still more preferably equal to or more than 80 wt.%, and still more preferably equal to or more than 90 wt.%, and most preferably equal to or more than 95 wt.%, such as 100 wt.% of the obtained thermomechanical pulp 3 is from spruce and/or pine.
  • thermomechanical pulp 3 is from spruce.
  • specific energy i.e., quantity of energy used in a refiner per ton of raw material fed to the refiner can be smaller than by using pine.
  • spruce is preferred for this process as pine extracts may cause several challenges to the manufacturing process.
  • An average fiber length of the thermomechanical pulp 3 can be in a range between 0.8 mm and 1.25 mm, preferably in a range between 0.9 mm and 1.2 mm, and most preferably in a range between 1.0 mm and 1.15 mm, determined according to standard ISO 16065-2, e.g., as a length weighted fiber length Lc(l).
  • the technical effect is to obtain suitable strength properties for many applications.
  • An average fiber width of the thermomechanical pulp 3 can be in a range between 28 ⁇ m and 31 ⁇ m, preferably in a range between 28.5 ⁇ m and 30.5 ⁇ m, and most preferably in a range between 29 ⁇ m and 30 ⁇ m.
  • Fiber width can be determined, for example, by using a fiber image analyzer.
  • a term "fiber width" refers to a maximum width of each fiber. The technical effect is to provide a such binding surface area between fibers which is suitable for many applications. Further, the average fiber width has an effect on strength properties of the obtained thermomechanical pulp.
  • Amount of fiber kinks in the thermomechanical pulp 3 can be in a range between 1700 and 2300 kinks/m, such as in a range between 1800 and 2250 kinks/m, preferably equal to or less than 2200 kinks/m, such as in a range between 1900 and 2200 kinks/m, and most preferably equal to or less than 2150 kinks/m.
  • Technical effect of this range is to control integral structure of fibers so that fiber properties can be within a suitable range for many applications.
  • Fibrillation of the thermomechanical pulp 3 can be in a range between 1.9% and 2.3%, preferably in a range between 1.95% and 2.25%, more preferably in a range between 2.0% and 2.2%, and most preferably in a range between 2.05% and 2.15%.
  • Technical effect of this range is to provide cost efficiently thermomechanical pulp having predetermined strength properties which are suitable for many applications.
  • Proportion of flake-like fines in the thermomechanical pulp 3 can be in a range between 48% and 55%, preferably in a range between 49% and 54%, more preferably in a range between 49.5% and 53%, and most preferably in a range between 50% and 52%.
  • Technical effect of this range is to provide improved optical properties, such as improved opacity.
  • Another technical effect is to improve e.g. readability properties of papers and/or magazines, if the pulp is used for papers.
  • Proportion of fibrillar fines in the thermomechanical pulp 3 can be in a range between 25% and 38%, preferably in a range between 27% and 36%, more preferably in a range between 29% and 34%, and most preferably in a range between 30% and 33%.
  • Technical effect of this range is to provide, cost efficiently, thermomechanical pulp having predetermined strength properties which are suitable for many applications.
  • Proportion of shives in the thermomechanical pulp 3 can be in a range between 0.2% and 0.8%, preferably in a range between 0.3% and 0.7%, more preferably in a range between 0.4% and 0.6%, and most preferably in a range between 0.45% and 0.55%.
  • Technical effect of this range is that e.g. pellets can be easily formed from the thermomechanical pulp 3 and the formed pellets can maintain their form without e.g. additives.
  • Another technical effect is to provide an improved smoothness for products, such as paper, containing the thermomechanical pulp.
  • shives usually causes a decreased strength for products
  • another technical effect is to provide improved strength properties for products containing the thermomechanical pulp.
  • Lignin content of the thermomechanical pulp 3 can be in a range between 20 and 35 wt.%, preferably in a range between 30 and 35 wt.%.
  • Technical effect of this range is that due to the lignin e.g. pellets can be easily formed from the thermomechanical pulp 3 as the lignin can bind the particles together, and the formed pellets can maintain their form.
  • the percentage of fines, i.e., particles shorter than 20 ⁇ m, of the thermomechanical pulp 3 can be in a range between 48 wt.% and 57 wt.% (by dry weight), preferably in a range between 50 wt.% and 55 wt.% (by dry weight).
  • Technical effect of this range is to provide good printability and strength properties for papers comprising the thermomechanical pulp.
  • Another technical effect is to provide pulp having controlled properties for insulation materials.
  • thermomechanical pulp 3 can absorb from 5 to 8, preferably from 6 to 7 their weight in liquid. Technical effect of this range is that the thermomechanical pulp can be good material e.g. for litter pellets.
  • the water absorption can take time.
  • the thermomechanical pulp 3 can absorb 3 times their weight in liquid in a time range from 200 to 500 seconds, preferably from 300 to 400 seconds. Technical effect of this time range is to provide improved pulp for insulation materials.
  • thermomechanical pulp 3 can be at least 70 wt.%, preferably from 80 to 98 wt.%, more preferably from 85 wt.% to 97 wt.%, still more preferably from 88 wt.% to 96 wt.%, and most preferably from equal to or more than 90 wt.% to 95 wt.%.
  • the technical effect is that the dry pulp can be particularly suitable for insulation boards and litters.
  • thermomechanical pulp 3 can be environmentally friendly solution because the pulp does not need a drying step.
  • thermomechanical pulp 3 is a natural product, typically essentially made of wood-based material(s) and it is typically e.g. ink free product (compared e.g. magazines which may be used for litters or for insulation materials).
  • thermomechanical pulp Some preferred applications for the thermomechanical pulp according to this specification are discussed below.
  • Pellets can be formed from the thermomechanical pulp, for example, by using a conventional pelletizer.
  • the pellets can consist of, or at least essentially consist of, the thermomechanical pulp. Therefore, the pellets can comprise at least 90 wt.%, preferably at least 95 wt.%, more preferably at least 98 wt.%, still more preferably at least 99 wt.%, and most preferably at least 99.8 wt.% thermomechanical pulp (by dry weight).
  • the technical effect is that the wood pellet without chemicals is an environmentally friendly product.
  • the wood pellet can also be cost-effective alternative for many applications.
  • thermomechanical pulp can contain lignin. Amount of lignin can be 25 to 35 wt.%. The technical effect is that pellets can be formed from the thermomechanical pulp without additives.
  • the pellet comprising or consisting of the thermomechanical pulp can be usable for many applications.
  • Litter pellets such as cat litter pellets or pet cage litter pellets
  • the wood pellets can be litter pellets, such as cat litter pellets and/or pet cage litter material. Furthermore, the wood pellets can be a litter material e.g. in horse stables, piggeries, and barns.
  • the wood pellet according to this specification is environmentally friendly solution, which can have excellent odor retention, i.e., a litter having wood pellets can have better (decreased) smell than a litter having conventional pellets. Wood pellets made from the thermomechanical pulp according to this specification are safe option for pets because they do not contain toxic components.
  • the content of the thermomechanical pulp in litter pellets can be at least 90 wt.%, preferably at least 95 wt.%, more preferably at least 98 wt.% and most preferably at least 99 wt.% (by dry weight).
  • amount of added chemicals in litter pellets is 0 wt.%. Therefore, pellets are natural products which can be safe for pets. When liquid comes in contact with the pellets, they can form sawdust-like material. Technical effect is to provide substantially track-free pellets which essentially stay in the litter box.
  • Wood pellets can be used with conventional litter boxes and can improve cleanliness compared to conventional materials.
  • thermomechanical pulp can be formed into bales.
  • the content of the thermomechanical pulp in a bale can be at least 90 wt.%, preferably at least 95 wt.%, more preferably at least 98 wt.% and most preferably at least 99 wt.%, such as 100 wt.% (by dry weight).
  • amount of chemicals in the bale is 0 wt.%. Therefore, bales are natural products which can be used for many applications.
  • Amount of lignin in the bale can be 28 to 35 wt.%.
  • the technical effect is that bales can be formed easily without additives.
  • thermomechanical pulp according to this specification can be used to replace at least some of chemical pulp and/or chemithermomechanical pulp (CTMP) in paper making industry.
  • CMP chemithermomechanical pulp
  • thermomechanical pulp according to this specification.
  • Technical effect is to provide environmentally friendly, chemical free solution for replacing chemical pulp and/or chemithermomechanical pulp.
  • thermomechanical pulp can be used as a buffering pulp as sometimes paper mills can suffer from a shortage of pulp.
  • the thermomechanical pulp according to this specification can be easily stored e.g. at a mill pulp storage and used whenever it is needed for production. Further, as the thermomechanical pulp according to this specification is easy to store, the pulp can be produced at times when electricity price is low.
  • the paper or a paperboard can also comprise other cellulose-containing natural fibers, such as chemical pulp(s) and/or other thermomechanical pulps.
  • the paper or a paperboard can comprise, for example, filler(s) and/or additive(s).
  • thermomechanical pulp according to this specification can be e.g. in a range between 1 wt.% and 15 wt.% (by dry weight), preferably from 2 to 10 wt.% (by dry weight), determined from total amount of cellulose based fibers in the paper or paperboard.
  • thermomechanical pulp can be formed into an insulation board.
  • thermomechanical pulp can comprise or essentially consist of the thermomechanical pulp according to this specification.
  • the technical effect of the thermomechanical pulp in the insulation board is to provide good thermal insulation properties together with improved soundproof properties.
  • the insulation board can be healthier alternative than e.g. magazines as it does not contain e.g. inks and other papermaking chemicals such as retention chemicals, biocides, and fillers.
  • fire retardant chemical(s) can be added into the product.
  • Amount of the fire retardant chemical(s) can be, for example, from 5 to 10 wt.%, determined from a total weight of the insulation board.
  • Technical effect is to provide fireproof insulation board.
  • thermomechanical pulp can be used in composite products.
  • thermomechanical pulp mechanical properties of a composite product can be significantly improved compared to sawdust.
  • sawdust if used in wood-plastic composites, is so shaped that it does not actually reinforce the product but instead functions merely as filler in a plastic matrix.
  • sawdust requires drying, because high moisture content in the filler weakens the quality of the manufactured composite product.
  • thermomechanical pulp Another technical effect of the thermomechanical pulp is to provide more environmentally friendly and cost-efficient material than chemical pulp. Further, the thermomechanical pulp can provide some improved strength properties compared to chemical pulp.
  • thermomechanical pulp in a composite product can be in the range of 20 - 60 wt.% (by dry weight), such as in the range of 30- 50 wt.% (by dry weight).
  • Technical effect is to provide environmentally friendly material which can improve mechanical properties of the composite product.
  • a composite product can comprise one or more than one thermoplastic polymer and the thermomechanical pulp.
  • the thermoplastic polymers can comprise polyolefins, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polymethyl pentene or polybutene-1, or polyamide, polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or polycarbonate.
  • PET polyethylene terephthalate
  • PVC polyvinyl chloride
  • the thermoplastic polymers comprise mainly polyolefins, such as polyethylene and/or polypropylene.
  • the thermoplastic polymer(s) can comprise, mainly comprise, or consist of polyolefin(s).
  • the polyolefin(s) can be bio-based polyolefin(s).
  • the composite may contain one or more coupling agent(s).
  • the coupling agent(s) can be used for improving an adhesion between the thermomechanical pulp and thermoplastic polymer(s).
  • the mixture may comprise 0-7% (by dry weight) of the coupling agent, such as 1-4% (by dry weight).
  • the coupling agent may be or comprise e.g. a maleic anhydride based coupling agent.
  • the coupling agent is not necessary component for the composite.
  • the composite may further comprise additives.
  • the additives can comprise one or more from foaming agents (blowing agents), binders, cross-linking agents, pigments, dyes, UV protective agents, lubricants and/or other additives customary in the art of natural fiber plastic composites.
  • the content of the additives in the composite product can be in the range of 0.5-10% (by dry weight), such as in the range of 1-5% (by dry weight).
  • the method for manufacturing a composite can comprise the following steps: providing raw materials including at least thermoplastic polymer(s) and the thermomechanical pulp, mixing the materials, and forming the mixture into a composite product.
  • the method comprises forming the mixture of the materials into a composite product by extruding and/or by injection molding.
  • the composite can be, e.g. in a form of a pellet.
  • the composite can be, e.g., a composite board.
  • thermomechanical pulp can be used as a growing medium for plants.
  • the thermomechanical pulp can be used as a growing medium as such. It is possible to compress that thermomechanical pulp and use the compressed thermomechanical pulp as the growing medium.
  • Amount of lignin in the growing medium can be, e.g., 28 to 35 wt.%.
  • the technical effect is that the thermomechanical pulp can be compressed easily without additives.
  • thermomechanical pulp according to this specification was manufactured without a dryer by using a thermomechanical pulp (TMP) refiner line.
  • Fig. 2 shows a photo of an obtained thermomechanical pulp.
  • the experimental tests included test points having softwood and/or hardwood which were refined into different freeness levels.
  • the experimental tests further included reference points consisting of conventional thermomechanical pulp which was refined into the same freeness levels.
  • Amount of dilution water was less than 2.5 l/s for the test points, from which approximately 0.5 to 1.8 l/s was dosed to the first and second refiners R1.
  • Amount of dilution water for reference points was from 9 to 10 l/s, from which approximately 4 l/s was dosed to the first refiner R1.
  • the refiner line had a separator for separating fibers and vaporized water from each other. During the experimental tests, amount of water added into the separator for the test points was in approximately 0.5 l/s, while the amount of water used for the reference points was approximately 1.5 l/s.
  • Example 2 Novel thermomechanical pulp vs. conventional thermomechanical pulp
  • thermomechanical pulp manufactured according to this specification were compared to conventional thermomechanical pulp.
  • the pulps were made from the same raw materials.
  • Fiber length of the test points was lower (approximately 0.2-0.3 mm lower) than fiber length of the reference points, but still suitable for many applications.
  • Amount of fiber kinks increased approximately 800 kinks/m compared to reference points and kink angle of the test points was approximately 3° higher than kink angle of the reference points.
  • Hand sheets were manufactured by using the pulp from the test points as well as pulp from the reference points. Strength properties and optical properties were determined from the hand sheets.
  • test points provided suitable strength properties, including tensile, impact strength and bursting strength, for many applications.
  • the novel thermomechanical pulp had improved optical properties: light scattering coefficient of the test points was much higher than light scattering coefficient of the reference points, and opacity of the test points was significantly higher than opacity of the reference points.
  • properties of the novel thermomechanical pulp differed significantly from properties of conventional thermomechanical pulps.
  • Example 3 Thermomechanical pulp vs. chemical pulp
  • test points Properties of the novel thermomechanical pulp (test points) were compared to properties of chemical pulp made by using a hardwood (reference points).
  • Fibrillation level of test points was significantly higher than fibrillation level of reference samples. Further, amount of fibrillated fines was significantly higher than amount of fibrillated fines of the reference points.
  • Hand sheets were manufactured by using the thermomechanical pulp (test points) and the chemical pulp (reference points). Strength and optical properties of the pulps were determined from the hand sheets.
  • test results tensile strength of the test points was decreased only slightly, and bursting strength was at the same level for the test and reference points. Furthermore, opacity of the test points was at least 1 unit greater, up to 7 units greater than opacity of the reference points. Bulk of the test points was at least 2%-units, up to 7 %-units higher than bulk of the reference points.
  • thermomechanical pulp was replaced with the novel thermomechanical pulp.
  • thermomechanical pulp was suitable for papers.
  • Wood pellets were manufactured from the thermomechanical pulp according to this specification.
  • Fig. 5 shows a photo of obtained wood pellets.
  • thermomechanical pulp was suitable raw material for wood pellets without any additives.
  • wood pellets consisting of the thermomechanical pulp were produced.
  • the wood pellets made of the thermomechanical pulp had good moisture uptake and clamping ability.
  • thermomechanical pulp The pellets made from the thermomechanical pulp (see Example 5 above) were tested for cat litters.
  • the wood pellets had excellent moisture uptake properties as well as excellent odor retention.
  • thermomechanical pulp bales were produced during experimental tests by using the method according to this specification.
  • bales consisting of the novel thermomechanical pulp.
  • the bales had a size of 90 cm x 110 cm x 80 cm, but a person skilled in the art is able to produce bales having varied sizes.
  • Wood-plastic composites were manufactured by using the novel thermomechanical pulp, and chemical pulp (reference 1). All amounts of materials were the same, only the wood material was changed between the test points.
  • thermomechanical pulp was as good raw material for wood-plastic composites as chemical pulp.
  • strength properties of the wood-plastic composites were at a good level.
  • the reference points having chemical pulp needed a coupling agent while the test points having the thermomechanical pulp did not need any coupling agent.
  • thermomechanical pulp in the growing medium can be more than 0 wt.%, preferably from 20 wt.% to 70 wt.% (by dry weight).

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  • Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
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EP23211639.2A 2022-11-23 2023-11-23 Pulpe thermomécanique Pending EP4385695A3 (fr)

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