New low-energy process for production of mechanical pulp

The developed ATMP process has been implemented in a TMP plant. The results show that specific energy consumption during refining has been reduced by approximately 30% in the current mill. Parallel to the implementation of ATMP technology in full scale, we have investigated what it is on the fiber level that enables us, with the new technology, to reduce the specific energy consumption. The results show that the combination of mechanical pretreatment and specific chemicals in the correct position specifically break bonds in the fiber wall so that the fiber development proceeds significantly faster than traditional than during traditional refining.

The project aims at develop and support mill scale implementation of new technology for achieving minimum 25% reduction in energy consumption for production of mechanical pulp while maintaining pulp quality and avoiding negative environmental impacts. An evaluation of more than 150 of pilot trials during a research period of eight years with different chemicals has shown a potential reduction in energy consumption upon mechanical pulp refining by at least 25%. Results from mill scale trials using two impo rtant sub-processes of the process concept have confirmed the substantial energy-reducing potential of the novel processes. The new process, called A-TMP, shall be optimized in full scale and at the same time a fundamental study has as goal to understand the mechanisms behind the reduced energy consumption on fibre level. In addition to lower energy consumption, the new installed process shall also produce a pulp with higher brightness and less shives. The status of the wood material when the chemicals sh all react will be very important, both for energy reduction achieved but also for the final pulp properties. The chemical treatment of the fibre wall shall be selective using chemicals in one or several stages during refining of the mechanical pulp